History and Archives

Proud traditions and a remarkable history, that is the story of Victoria High School.

Opened in 1876, it is the oldest public high school in Canada’s four western provinces. Even the current building, opened in 1914, is approaching the century mark. Over that period, Vic High alumni have included scholars, athletes and many people who have shaped the province.

Today, Vic High has an extensive and active archive founded by the late Dr. Peter Smith (author of the centennial history of the school, Come Give A Cheer). Its collection gives an amazing view of the history of the school, the city and even the province. It has proved invaluable to many people researching their family’s history and genealogy.

More detailed information will be added to this site as it develops; however, these three photos give us a teaser of the school’s past.

The excavation for the current school building (the fourth in Vic High’s history) began in 1912. This picture looks across the foundation site towards Fernwood Road. You can see the steeple of what is now The Belfry Theatre in the background.

Yes, this is a picture of the Vic High rugby team that won the provincial championship in 1931, but it is also a link to the days when Victoria won the Stanley Cup. The Patrick brothers in the picture, ‘Muzz’ and Lynn, were the sons of Lester Patrick who owned and managed the Victoria Cougars of the Western Canada Hockey League. In 1925 they became the last non-NHL team to win the Stanley Cup. To pick up the story of Vic High’s Patrick Brothers from Peter Smith’s history: “Lynn Patrick, VHS 1931, starred in rugby with the BC Reps; was a member of the Blue Ribbon national basketball title-holders; played football for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers; and played hockey for the New York Rangers from 1935 to 1943 (becoming scoring leader and NHL all-star in 1941 / 42 season). Murray ”Muzz” Patrick, VHS 1933, was no less impressive. Captain of every VHS team in his senior year, and winner of many track and field awards, he too played for the Blue Ribbons and teamed with Lynn to lead the 1939 / 40 Rangers to the Stanley Cup. Muzz was also Canadian amateur heavyweight boxing champion and a professional six-day cyclist.

Fashions and even rules have changed since these Vic High girls won the provincial basketball championship in 1922.

For a comprehensive history of education in British Columbia, go to the Malaspina University College web site.