The Principals


First Principal:
Herbert C. Atkinson

1918-1943
1943 Photo1907 Mount Allison photo
Born in Port Elgin NB
B.A. Mount Allison University
Herbert Clarence Atkinson achieved fame across campus and the Maritime region when he won a long distance road race in 1906. He grew up in Port Elgin, New Brunswick, and attended Mount Allison University between 1903 and 1907. In his freshman year, he won the mile race in Mount Allison’s annual Field Day competition, with a time of 5:18. In November 1906, Atkinson competed in a road race held under the auspices of the Saint John Marathon Athletic Club. It was, according to The Argosy (November 1906), “the most important long distance race that has been held in the Maritime provinces for many years.”  The course was just over four miles long, and was held under poor weather conditions. Atkinson won the race with a time of 25:55, and beat his closest opponent by 27 seconds. According to a report by a Saint John newspaper, The Telegraph (9 November 1906), “An immense concourse of people turned out to see the contest.” Atkinson’s race was regarded as an extraordinary achievement by students and staff at Mount Allison. On
15 December 1906, he was presented with a sterling silver shield by his fellow classmates. At the event, another prominent athlete, George Sutton Patterson (class of 1907), declared that Atkinson had “brought more honour to Mount Allison in the athletic line than any single individual had ever done.”
Teacher, 4 years in NB, then Westmount Academy, Strathcona Academy and Kensington School
1938 Profile From Montreal Gazette
Mount Allison Profile


Second Principal:
Gordon Herbert Heslam

1943-1952
1944 Photo  1946 Photo

Entry in McGill University WW1 Honour Roll

Born and educated in Cowansville, Quebec
B.A. McGill University, 1916
1917-1919, Canadian Army, wounded in France, October 1918
Teacher,  High School of  Montreal 1916-1917, 1919-1935
Physics specialist, 1931-1935, Senior Science Teacher
Vice-principal 1935-1943
Secretary, treasurer and president of Provincial Association of Protestant teachers
2nd degree of Scholastic Merit, 1941
Air Cadet Instructor Certificate
Clerk of Sessions, Wesley United Church
Became Rector of High School of Montreal in 1952


Third Principal:
Charles G. Hewson

1952-1962
1962 Photo

1979 Photo (at school closing) ,  

As a teacher in 1943, 

Teacher at West Hill and coach of the first school hockey team in 1926
Vice-principal at Mount Royal High School before returning to WHHS/MHS as principal


Fourth Principal:
Ernest Dinsdale

1962-1966

An experienced administrator, he became the first WHHS/MHS graduate to head the school when he was promoted from Vice-Principal of John Grant High School. He later moved on to the PSBGM before retiring in 1975. A profile can be seen in the 1963 Banner


Fifth Principal:
Herre de Groot

1966-1968
1967 Photo
Principal at Wagar High and Assistant Director of Instructional Services and Director of Secondary Studies for PSBGM after MHS.

At a  young age he was a member of the Dutch Underground and was decorated by the Dutch Government. He came to Canada as a trainee for ICAO and  pursued a career in Education and became Assistant Director of Instructional Services and Director of Secondary Studies for PSBGM. 


Sixth Principal: 
W. Arthur Wilkinson

1968-1972
1970 Photo  1971 Photo
Graduate of West Hill High School
Served in Canadian Army medical corps during WWII
Prior to Monklands, he was principal at Mount Royal High School
After retiring from the PSBGM taught at McGill University (Educational Psychology)


Seventh Principal: 
Peter Klym

1972-1978
1976 Photo 1975 Photo


Eighth Principal: 
Robert McEwen

1978-1979
 (No photo currently available)