In the '60's there were insufficient English and French high schools in the North East of Montreal. The school commission decided to solve the problem by building new French schools. As these new schools came into use the outdated school with all the portables on Pie IX could be transferred to the English students. Some classrooms could also be created in an old re-modeled Lacordaire warehouse! In the early 1970's the notion of a new $10 Million dollar school for English students in Montreal was just an idle dream

But some people decided to wake up from dreaming. In the fall of 1970 the parents of St. Columban's and All Saints elementary schools and the principal of Pius IX, Mr. Lacombe held a meeting at Pius IX High School. They decided to form a committee to request necessary repairs to be made to Pius IX but their main focus would be to lobby for the construction of a new English High School. My father was asked to preside over this committee.

In 1971, Mr. Bochenek replaced Mr. Lacombe as principal. He quickly found it useful to have the support of a bunch of very vocal parents whom the school commission could not tell to "Sit down and Shut UP!" As a united force these parents, teachers and administrators, branded "A bunch of Malcontents" worked together to prove that the students would be severely penalized without a new school. No amount of face lifting and window dressing of the old run down facilities would be acceptable.

The committee ("A bunch of Malcontents") made its presentation to Mme. Therese Lavoie-Roux, Chair of the Montreal Catholic School Commission and convinced her. Mme Lavoie Roux now convinced, went on to battle the Department of Education at Quebec City who opposed the construction of an English language school. Eventually the department of education caved and the school was approved.

Construction was started and the Olympics came to our aid. In the original plans, Pearson was to have a regular swimming pool and basketball court. But in 1975 the committee discovered that the IOC would pay to up-grade athletic facilities in the area around Olympic Stadium. The "Bunch of Malcontents" lobbied the IOC and had them pay for Olympic grade swimming pools and basketball courts at Pearson!

Pearson was now complete, but needed some Grandeur. In the spring of 1976 the committee decided to place a picture of Lester B. Pearson (donated by the Liberal Party) in the foyer and wanted to have it flanked by the coats of arms of the Cities of Montreal & Montreal North. But where could they get the Coats of Arms? Again the Olympics to the rescue. Prior to the start of the games, the VanDoos, who were in charge of Olympic security had a reception at the school to show appreciation of being able to use it as their headquarters during the Olympics. During this reception my father managed to corner Mayor Drapeau of Montreal and Mayor Ryan of Montreal North. He spoke to them of the desire to have the Coats of Arms placed at the school. Both Mayors immediately agreed and made the arrangements.

So here is a toast to our school and to the dreams of a "Bunch of Malcontents" !!!

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