| Goderich District Collegiate Institute | |
| Address | |
| 260 South Street Goderich, Ontario, N7A 3M5, Canada |
|
| Information | |
| School board | Avon Maitland District School Board |
| Superintendent | Ted Doherty |
| Principal | George McEwan |
| Vice principal | John Matthews |
| School type | High School |
| Grades | 7 to 12 |
| Language | English |
| Area | Goderich Vicinity |
| Motto | Palman non sine pulvere no palm without dust |
| Mascot | A Viking |
| Team name | Vikings |
| Colours | Blue & White |
| Founded | 1841 |
| Enrolment | 600-650 (September 2009) |
| Homepage | http://gdci.wordpress.com/ |
Goderich District Collegiate Institute (GDCI) is the only high school in the town of Goderich, Ontario. It is home to the Goderich Vikings, and has a reputation for academic excellence, athletics and drama.
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GDCI was established as a Grammar School in 1841, and was privately run for over 30 years. In 1874, the local School Board purchased a site at the corners of Picton Street, Wellington Street and Elgin Avenue in Goderich, and opened the new GDCI in 1875. Its enrollment grew to 200 students within six years. At its peak, it has had enrollment of up to 1000 students. GDCI is now home to 600 students from around Goderich and area.
This building was expanded three times and eventually replaced in 1951 with the building on South Street that students attend today. There have been several additions, such as the West Gym which was added in 1965, along with the Technical wing and the library. The latest renovations include the science labs and geography rooms which were added in 1990, as well as a complete redesign to expand the library.[1]
In 2010, the school will also house grades 7 and 8. This followed the merging of Victoria Public School and Robertson Public School into one, Goderich Public school, during the 2009-2010 school year.
Goderich DCI boasts a very active and successful sports team, under the name of The Vikings, often shortened to The Vikes. During home games throughout the year, nearly half the school turns out to games in what is called 'House of Blue' days where the students wear blue and paint themselves up in blue and white to intimidate their opponents.
The Vikings have excelled in boys and girls volleyball, field hockey, badminton, and girls soccer in recent years, winning OFSAA multiple times and also hosting the tournament numerous times within the last 7 years.
During a week in March the school undergoes 'Valhalla Week'. Valhalla is a mystical place in Scandinavian mythology that warriors visit in the afterlife. The week is filled with events that the school participates in and mass support for the sports team. This tradition began in 1999.
Not only does GDCI have successful sports teams, they are also very successful in the Arts.
GDCI has a very successful Drama club, having gone to the provincial level of the Sears Ontario Drama Festival five times out of the past eight years.
GDCI boasts numerous bands, including Jazz and Concert.
Mr. Lobb is a Media Studies teacher at GDCI. In this class Mr. Lobb teaches you to understand advertising and not be fooled in to believing them. An example of his computer capabilities can be found at RandallLobb.com
Mrs. Harrison is a math techer at GDCI. She uses a hands on approach and gives you memorization techniques that you can use.
Mr. Phillips is an English teacher at GDCI. He is also involved in the volunteer fire department. Mr. Phillips participates on the Walkathon as a first aid attendant. Mr. Phillips teaches using class discussions.
Mr. McMullen is an art teacher. He exhibits the art of pun during his visual art courses. Mr. McMullen teaches with a hands on approach.