A longtime high school in St. Thomas is set to close its doors after nearly a century, prompting reflection and concern among students, alumni and families. Arthur Voaden Secondary School (AVSS) has been a fixture in the community since 1926 but will shut down at the end of the current school year. For Marilyn Campbell, who began teaching at the school in 1969, the news is deeply personal. “It was the golden era for teaching, for being a student here, for being a sports fan. We had wonderful teams, we had wonderful kids,” said Campbell. The closure comes as the province moves ahead with funding for a new secondary school in the city, the first new build for the board in more than 20 years. “The Thames Valley District School Board [TVDSB] is receiving funding for replacement secondary school in St. Thomas. I’m particularly excited about that. Arthur Voaden, a well renowned school is going to be replaced, and we’ll be able to repurpose that school for supportive housing and many cool projects to help support the local growing community of Saint Thomas,” said Elgin–Middlesex–London MPP Rob Flack. But for many, the announcement is bittersweet. Former student Isabelle Nethercott says the timing is especially difficult. “We’re absolutely heartbroken about that decision. You know, it wasn’t a big surprise. We were anticipating it, but we were hoping that that it wouldn’t happen this year. And we’re just devastated,” she said. The TVDSB says the decision follows a comprehensive safety review, adding the building would require costly long-term repairs that are no longer sustainable. Parents are also concerned about what comes next, including Stacey Rahn, whose daughter is currently enrolled. “She will have to be transitioned to a new school, and she doesn’t do transitions all that well, so it will be challenging,” said Rahn. For others, the closure brings a mix of sadness and understanding. “I am feeling very sad, but at the same time, I understand the building is old and once the fencing came up, we knew that no work was being done, that this was probably what was going to happen,” said Betty Bekaan, a former student and employee. The shutdown also disrupts plans to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary this fall, with organizers now working on an alternative. “It just seems that it would always be here - always be a place we could come back and look at. And the memories would flood back in a best friends and dances and all sorts of skullduggery,” said Campbell. Families are expected to be contacted by early May with details on where students will attend school starting in September 2026. The TVDSB did not provide an opening date for the new school but stated that more details regarding the new school’s location, design and construction timelines will be shared as they become available.
