St. Anthony’s School is a reality today because over 50 years ago early parishioners in Christ the King Parish wanted Catholic Education in Kitimat.  Spurred on by a Bishop with a vision, these pioneers pledged their support through generous monetary donations and three hundred men spent a total of 4000 volunteer man hours literally “raising the roof”.  Enough can not be said of the generosity of those early pioneers.

In late October, 1957, Bishop O’Grady accompanied by Father Tony MacDonald and Fr. J.I. McMahon blessed all the classrooms and read the dedication prayers at the entrance to the school where they placed a crucifix.  The crucifix is still located in the same spot.  St. Anthony’s opened its door to the first students in September 57-58.  The first registration was held on the first Friday of September.  Father Tony MacDonald had told the Sisters to expect 120 students.  At 10:30 that same morning 170 students had registered.  History tells us Father MacDonald was delighted in a desperate sort of way.  The school was staffed by three Sisters of St. Joseph.  The principal, Sister St. Martin, and teachers Sister Margaret Rose and Sister Mary Ernest.  There were two lay teachers, Miss Constance Gillan, a volunteer from Ireland, and Mrs. L. Godfrey.  Four classrooms were scheduled to be opened that September to accommodate Grade One to Six but heavy enrollment soon necessitated the opening of a fifth classroom.

For the first twenty years of the schools existence no financial aid was received from the government except in the area of textbooks.  The school, therefore, during those first twenty years staffed by volunteers.  The majority of these volunteers came from the Frontier Apostolate, an organization sponsored by Bishop O’Grady to provide volunteer staffing of schools in the Diocese of Prince George.  55 Frontier Apostles have served St. Anthony’s School.  The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto were a vital force in the school for twenty-one years, providing in all, nineteen sisters who served as principals and classroom teachers.  Working along with the Sisters and the Frontier Apostles have been a number of lay people.  The school’s first lay principal was appointed in 1979-80 when the Sisters of St. Joseph were no longer able to provide staffing for the school.

In 1978-79 government funding, thirty percent of the cost of educating a student in the public schools, made it a bit easier for Catholic Schools in BC.  While this helps St. Anthony’s, it is still dependent upon student fees, fundraising projects taken on by eager parents and the support of Kitimat’s businesses and industries.

St. Anthony’s is proud of the service it provides to the community of Kitimat.  Students are encouraged to recognize and be grateful for their talents which are gifts from God.  Their approach to the child is firm but kind and loving.  Respect for everyone in the school and the staff is emphasized by example which fosters this mood in the school.

Presently, St. Anthony’s has eight classrooms filled to overflowing.  The school has an enrollment of over 200 in kindergarten to grade nine and waiting lists for most grades.  Parents are known to sign their children up for kindergarten shortly after their child is born to ensure a place for them.  St. Anthony’s excellence in education, dynamic teachers and strong parent involvement may be a few of the reasons why many non-catholic families have also made St. Anthony’s their choice their child’s education.