14

Boarder leaving for home
1928
Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Dr. Catherine Steele 1928 Archives, Havergal College

15

Report Card, showing curriculum
1929
Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hahn Fonds
Dr. Catherine Steele 1928 Archives, Havergal College

16

The Depression Years

The effects of the Depression became clear around 1931, when applications to the school began to drop off. By December of that year, several boarders were withdrawn by their families as they could no longer afford the fee. Some extra-curricular activities such as elocution and art were stopped, and several staff members were let go.

By 1932, students' fees were cut from $800 a year to $700. The financial crisis most likely contributed to the decline in activities taking place outside of the school: day trips and special outings to concerts were cut, and many students turned to the school for the majority of their cultural endeavours. As the possibilities in the outside world of North Toronto and downtown Toronto temporarily dimmed, homegrown Havergal skits, dinners, sports days, and impromptu parties all flourished.