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History
St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School has a long and proud history that stretches back to the establishment of the Community of the Sisters of the Church, an Anglican community in London, England, in 1870.
The Sisters
The founder of the Order, Emily Ayckbowm, later known as Mother Emily, became its first novice and made her vows in 1872. She, with the help of others, concentrated her efforts on poor, uncared-for and hungry children who came to her for Sunday catechism, hymns and prayers, followed by currant buns and tea. Thus the school became known as Mother Emily's Bun School!
But the efforts of the Sisters didn't stop with Sundays. Soon they had obtained teacher certification and built a day school. At first, fees were set at three pence a week, but when that proved too much for the desperately poor, Penny Schools were established.
Expansion to Canada
As the Community grew, schools were opened in various parts of England, and in India, Burma, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Canada. By 1891, the Sisters had opened mission houses, depots and day schools in Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton. After 17 years in various downtown locations, the Toronto school opened as St. Mildred's College at 36 Walmer Road in September 1908.
Miss Lightbourn's School
In a parallel development, in 1923 John Guest, then Headmaster of Appleby College, asked Miss Ruth Lightbourn to undertake the instruction of his two daughters in the sitting room of her parents' home. The demand for Miss Lightbourn's services grew, and quickly outgrew her home. Unlike Mother Emily, Miss Lightbourn taught mainly the children of the well-to-do. For 37 years, she dispensed her unique blend of knowledge, wisdom, humour and love in a Christian School environment that became a flourishing part of the Oakville community.
Amalgamation and Change
In 1964, the Sisters of the Church were asked by the Lightbourn School Board of Governors to administer their School. A formal amalgamation took place in 1969, and the new, expanded school, St. Mildred's-Lightbourn, was established.
In 1983, it became clear that further development of the School's program and facilities was necessary if it was to maintain and enhance its reputation as a leading educator of young women. A transitional Board of Advisors was appointed, and in July 1986, the Sisters of the Church formally turned the School over to the permanent Board of Governors.