The Principals


First Principal:
Herbert C. Atkinson

1918-1943
1943 Photo
Born in Port Elgin NB
B.A. Mount Allison University
Teacher, 4 years in NB, then Westmount Academy, Strathcona Academy and Kensington School

Second Principal:
George Herbert Heslam

1943-1952
1944 Photo  1946 Photo
Born and educated in Cowansville, Quebec
B.A. McGill University, 1916
1917-1919, Canadian Army, wounded in France
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 the WHHS 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 after MHS

Sixth Principal: 
W. Arthur Wilkinson

1968-1972
1970 Photo  1971 Photo
Graduate of West Hill High School
Served in Canadian Army 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)