Delbrook Senior Secondary School

Delbrook opened in 1957 as only the second secondary school in North Vancouver (District or City), joining North Vancouver High School which itself opened in 1910.[1] Delbrook was named for the area and avenue north of Westview in the city and district, east of Mosquito Creek and west of Lonsdale. Approximately 100 students from the graduating class of 1958 were moved from North Vancouver Secondary to form the first graduating class.[2]

Delbrook offered courses in a variety of subjects, including the humanities, sciences, language arts, linguistics, the arts, and early computer technology.

With the opening of Balmoral Junior Secondary in 1959,[7] Delbrook focussed on grades 10, 11 and 12. In 1969, the grade 10 class was split between the two schools. Beginning 1971, Delbrook offered grades 8 to 12.

Poster for Fred R. Hamlin's 1902 musical extravaganza, the first major theatrical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

Delbrook was known for large production musicals. Mr. Norm Ashcroft, Vice-Principal (1969-1975), was instrumental in reviving musicals at Delbrook. The following is a list of musicals put on at Delbrook:

• A Christmas Carol in 1961
• Oklahoma! in 1965
• Oliver! in 1971
• The Wizard of Oz[8] in 1972
• South Pacific in 1973.
• Annie Get Your Gun! in 1974

The Wizard of Oz was taken from a 1945 stage play using songs from the 1939 film; adapted by Frank Gabrielson for the St. Louis Municipal Opera.

Douglas Coupland's 2003 novel Hey Nostradamus! begins at a fictional Delbrook Senior Secondary in 1988 with a Columbine-like massacre at the school, the original having taken place in April 1999 in Jefferson County, Colorado.

• Ab Bryant - bassist for Chilliwack, the rock band
• Sandra Hartley Cousins - née Hartley, 1968 Olympian (gymnastics), Western Canadian Champion[9]
• Peter Jepson-Young 1957-1992, Doctor, early AIDS activist and film documentary personality, known the CBC Dr. Peter Diaries Documentary[10] aka The Broadcast Tapes of Dr. Peter. Class of 1975.
• Greg F. Lee - President and Vice-Chancellor, Capilano University, North Vancouver[11]
• Karen Magnussen - world figure skating champion 1973, winner of 3 Gold medals who later graduated from Carson Graham School[12]
• Joe Mattias - Chief, Squamish First Nation
• Jim Miller - Wrestler, Canadian Juvenile Champion 1969, Pan Am Games medalist 1975, Olympic coach 1988, 1992[13]
• Mike Miller - Pan American Junior Championships Gold Medalist 1973[13]
• Linda Moore - née Tweedie, former Canadian and World curling champion (1985), colour commentator for TSN sports television.
• Bill Parnell - physical education teacher and head football coach, BC Sports Hall of Fame inductee, winner of the Mile race 1950 British Empire Games, Olympic 1500 meters finalist 1948 & 1952.[14][15]
• Kris Pechet - coach of Seaquam Secondary School football team, 2006 BC AA High School Champions[16]
• Ida Random - née Cunningham, nominated for 1988 Academy Award, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Rain Man[17]
• Bob Random - né Chambers, character actor in movies and television c. 1955-1990[18]
• Margaret Trudeau - née Sinclair, former spouse of 15th Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and mother of 23rd Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau[19]

The school had teams in football, rugby union, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling, volleyball, field hockey, basketball, swimming, tennis and golf.

The Senior Boys football team captured the Shrine Bowl Provincial Championship in 1969, beating Maple Ridge Secondary 13-9 at Empire Stadium.[20] The team was coached by former Canadian Olympian Bill Parnell.[21] Murray Wimbles won outstanding lineman and Martin Smith won outstanding back for the game.[22] The team also competed annually with North Vancouver High School for "The Helmet" in football and "The Shoe" in basketball as well as with neighbouring Carson Graham High School in football for "the Cage".

The Senior Girls basketball team finished second in the British Columbia tournament in 1962.[23] The Senior Boys basketball team won four consecutive league championships with their best season being 1966-67 when they had a 26-7 won-lost record.[24]

The Senior Tennis team won the 1968 BC provincial championships led by singles winners Michelle Carey and David Johnston.

The Senior Wrestling Team was undefeated in dual meets during the 68/69 school year, and placed 3rd at the BC High School Wrestling Championships with Jim Miller (Gold), Rob Butler (Silver), and Pat Henman (Bronze) leading the way. Jim Miller won multiple national championships and represented Canada at Olympic & Pan American competitions. Jim Miller attended and graduated from Brown University and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. Both Jim Miller and Pat Henman competed at Simon Fraser University while on athletic scholarships. Pat Henman went on to coach wrestling in Abbotsford and lead Abbotsford Senior Secondary to numerous Fraser Valley Championships (1981-1985) and the Fraser Valley Zone to two Gold Medal performances at the BC Winter Games, and was named Outstanding High School Wrestling Coach in 1983. Jim Miller was Canadian National Team Coach for Wrestling ('80-'96) during which time the national team realized the most success in its history. He was also Head Coach for Canadian Snowboarding ('08).

On January 8, 1970, a four-year, major renovation of the school gymnasium was completed by Thompson, Berwick, Pratt and Partners.[24]

• Balmoral Junior Secondary - later Carson Graham Secondary, Balmoral Campus (2009 - 2012) and re-purposed to become Mountainside Secondary School in 2013
• The Hilltoppers - a 1950s vocal group, shared a name with Delbrook's sports teams

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