« Back
Font Size:
Bobby Orr Public School scores in scholastics, service
Apr 24, 2007 By: This Week staffMar 30, 2006
OSHAWA -- The students who attend the school named in his honour are far too young to have ever seen Bobby Orr play hockey.
But, thanks to the efforts of educators and likely their parents and grandparents, the exploits of the Hockey Hall of Famer are well-known to the students who attend the south Oshawa public elementary school.
In the works several years before it was constructed, Bobby Orr Public School stands as a reminder of the greatest athlete ever to put on an Oshawa sweater.
Mr. Orr, who just turned 58, came to Oshawa from his northern Ontario hometown of Parry Sound to play hockey as a 14-year-old back in 1962. He anchored the Generals defence until 1966 when he left to begin a storybook decade as a superstar with the Boston Bruins. He shattered many records, won rookie, MVP and playoff awards and, eight times in a row, was chosen best defenceman in the NHL.
Many people, most notably hockey commentator Don Cherry who coached him for two years with the Bruins, consider Mr. Orr the greatest hockey player in history.
But it is Mr. Orr's legacy as a community activist and his example as someone who, 40 years later, still returns to Oshawa to help with charity events, that stands as an inspiration for the young students who attend the school.
Principal Peggy-Jo Scott, who has been at the helm of Bobby Orr P.S. since 2002, said it has been a dream come true to be school principal.
She speaks proudly of Sept. 7, 2004, the day the school opened. Mr. Orr was on hand and greeted every single student in person. The kids had been educated about the school's namesake and knew about his exploits.
Mr. Orr also signed off on an important program which has been front-and-centre at the school since it opened its doors.
Known as the Bobby Orr All-STARS program, it requires a five-point plan of performance that students must achieve in order to qualify.
It involves excellence in scholastics, teamwork and leadership, arts and/or athletics, respect and service.
It means a student must do well in schoolwork, show qualities of teamwork and leadership, achieve in arts and/or athletics, show respect for themselves, each other and teachers and staff, and provide service in the community.
"Our students work at St. Vincent's Kitchen, go to Hillsdale Manor and raise money for various causes," said Ms. Scott. She said that intermediate students -- Grade 7 and 8 -- in order to get a school letter must be well-rounded students.
The school is known for its strong literacy program and its sense of community. And, it has served as an example that Mr. Orr himself would be proud of.
