By: Ravnoor Kaur Dec.19th/2024
As the time is almost here and the Grade 8 students across the area are gearing up to step into an exciting new chapter of their educational journey as they transition to high school. For those heading to Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, a world of new opportunities, challenges, and adventures awaits. As every year, Jacob Hespeler Secondary School has chosen the most exciting way to introduce the school to the students and their families. The staff showed their excitement for the incoming Grade 9s in their presentation, the presentation included the idea that how a high school is a place where you can explore your interests, make new friends, and discover who you are; It’s a fresh start, and we are here to support you every step of the way. This year on December 4, 2024; we had many amazing new clubs to introduce to the students and families. I also talked to some grade 8, asking how thrilled they were about joining Jacob Hespeler. Based on their feedback, they were excited about joining the amazing sports teams we have and discovering the various clubs to find out their areas of interest.
For organizing the night of grade 8, the leadership classes had a huge role in setting up. They set up the cafeteria for the presentations, the hub for showcasing the clubs such as, Newspaper, Orchestra, MSA, Mathletes, D&D, DECA, GSA, Ultimate Frisbee and Fed Prov. At our school various hallways and rooms represent the areas of education provided at the school... Grade 8 Night at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School offered a glimpse into the bright future awaiting these young learners. With the support of teachers, staff, and the community, the path ahead is filled with endless opportunities for growth, learning, and success.
By: Ella Peart & Bo Lafeur Nov.17/2024
As you know, this is the original land of the Haudenesonee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton people, who lived here for up to 10,000 years. Though, how did the village of Hespeler begin?
Well, it all started with Jacob Hespeler; not only is it the name of our school, but an actual person who was crucial in the creation of Hespeler Village. Jacob Hespeler was a German-Hungarian man who immigrated from Wurttemberg, Germany, to the town of Preston in 1835. Ten years later (1845), he moved to New Hope, the original name of Hespeler. Sir Fredrick Haldimand, an army officer and Governor of Quebec, was already stationed in New Hope for the military. He had “bought” the land for the Haudenesonee people, naming it ‘The Haldimand Tract”. Then, in 1850, Jacob Hespeler came into the production of what we know today as Hespeler. He integrated bigger businesses like an industrial complex with a sawmill, gristmill, and flour mill, hoping to house more residents and gain more money for the new village. Jacob also incorporated a railway running through Galt to Hespeler, adding another layer of importance to Cambridge. George Forbes, the Mayor of Hespeler at the time, and Jacob’s son, Herbert Marshall Farr, founded and ran the Randall-Farr Company. Soon, the Randall-Farr company was discontinued, and Forbes went on to create the Giant Canadian Textile Company. These businesses brought huge innovation and growth to the village.
Finally, in 1973 the town amalgamated as one with Galt and Preston after many rejections to the proposal. In 1986, our school, Jacob Hespeler Secondary School, was created, named after the man who helped in founding the Hespeler we know today.
If you would like to know more, the Hespeler Heritage Centre has documents and information in the Old Hespeler Town Hall at 11 Tannery St. East in Hespeler Village.