SOMENOS SCHOOL
The first Somenos School was built in 1864 on property of what today is the BC Forest Discovery Centre. It was a log building and served as a meeting hall, church and the first public school in the Cowichan Valley. Its first and only teacher was William Henry Lomas and was in operation as a school until 1871.
The second Somenos School was built in 1885 on what is today the corner of Somenos and Drinkwater Roads on land donated by pioneer William Drinkwater opposite the Mountain View Cemetery. It was in operation until the end of June 1918.
The third Somenos School was built in 1914 alongside what is today the highway to Lake Cowichan.
It was in operation until 1960. It is still standing today as the Somenos Community Hall.
The photo below is circa 1953.
Somenos School 1954 - 1955 Division 13
Teacher: Mrs. Jane E. Brentzen
Somenos School 1955 -1956 Div.12
Teacher: Ms. Jane E. Brentzen
The fourth Somenos School below was located at 3039 Sprott Road in Duncan BC. It was built in 1953 and closed as a school in 2013.
Somenos 1955 - 1956 Division 3
Teacher: Miss Catherine Clara Joughin
Somenos School 1956-1957 Division 3
Teacher: Ms. Catherine Clara Joughin
Somenos School 1957 - 1958 Division 2. Mrs. Mary Bazett
Somenos School 1958 - 1959. Division 2. Teacher: Mrs. Ruth LeFever
Somenos 1960-1961 Div. 4
Teacher Miss Elaine Jones
Somenos 1961-1962 Div.3
Teacher: Mrs. Ruth Lefever
Somenos 1962-1963 Div. 1
Teacher: Mr. Henry Lee Spencer
Somenos 1962-1963-Div.3
Teacher: Mrs. Ruth Lefever
Somenos 1963-1964 Div.1
Teacher: Mr. Henry Lee Spencer
Somenos 1963-1964 Div. 3
Teacher: Mrs. Ruth Lefever
Somenos School1964-1965
Div.2
Teacher: Unknown
Somenos School: 1964-1965, Div. 3
Teacher: Mr Robert Hortner
Somenos School: 1964-1965 Div.6
Teacher: Mrs Marilyn Lundstrom
Somenos School 1965-1966 Div.6
Teacher: Miss Elaine Jones
Somenos School 1965-1966.
Division 7. Teacher: Mrs. Marilyn Lundstrom
Somenos School: 1966-1967 Div.2
Teachers: Mr. Henry Lee Spencer and Mrs. Gibson. Mr Spencer was principal and they sometimes shared a class.
Somenos School 1966 -1967 Div.4
Teacher: Mrs. Ruth Lefever
Somenos School 1966-1967.
Division 6. Teacher:
Miss Elaine Jones
Somenos School 1969-1970
Division 2
Teacher: Mrs. Margaret McTaggart (nee Grubb, later Ferris).
Principal: Mr. Spencer
Somenos 1969-1970
Division 7
Teacher: Unknown
Somenos 1971-1972 Division 6
Teacher: Unknown
Somenos School 1971-1972
Division 6
Teacher: Unknown
Somenos 1973-1974 Grade 7
Teacher: Unknown
Somenos School 1972-1973
Division 4
Teacher: Mrs. Margaret McTaggart (nee Grubb, later Ferris).
Principal: Mr. Spencer
Somenos School 1972-1973
Teacher Unknown:
Somenos 1974-1975 Division 2
Teacher: Margaret McTaggart
Somenos School 1978 - 1979 Grade 6. Teacher: Mr. Neil Campbell
Somenos School 1986 - 1987. Division 2, Grades 3 & 4. Teachers: Paul Rickard and Ms. Dora Mager