Rundle at 40: Our First Campus

On May 17, 1985, a certificate of incorporation was issued under the name of 327857 Alberta Society. 

While not remaining a nameless venture for long, just two months later the organization adopted a name inspired by a famous landmark some 113 km from the city; a name that would not only become the name that stuck for the organization, but a name that would come to define a community dedicated to education, character, and compassion: Rundle College Society.

From that moment on, a legacy began that would span now more than four decades, touching the lives of thousands of Calgary students, families, and staff, and nurturing a culture of kindness, curiosity, and well-being along the way.

The Balmoral Bungalow

Now, where did this story begin?

In a modest four-classroom annex on the site of Balmoral Junior High School, located on 16 Avenue in Calgary. It was known by students and staff as the Balmoral Bungalow.

(Balmoral Bungalow, 1985-86)

While the stint at the Balmoral Bungalow was not long (only about a year and a half), it was deeply significant. Rundle initially welcomed a group of 20 students enrolled from Grades 7-9, and it was in the bungalow that Rundle had its first day of school on September 3, 1985. With the initial enrolment reaching less than half the intended goal of 45 students, it allowed for small class sizes with around seven students in each grade. While not intentional at first, this created a tight-knit educational program, where teachers could provide significant individualized attention to each student. This approach became a defining value that Rundle has carried forward to this day.

Small Staff, Big Impact

The founding staff at Balmoral Bungalow included:

• Clive Rose, Headmaster 
• Ken Kroeker, Kevin Leeman, and Pat Elford, teachers 
• Barb Nichols, receptionist 
• Rundle Founders Dr. Conklin and Dr. Collett were also active on-site 

Due to the small team, many of the general daily tasks, such as cleaning, were shared between staff, with Dr. Conklin’s son, Todd, always helping to support in the janitorial duties – an emphasis of the true family they had built in the bungalow.

(1985-86 students and staff. Staff [in dark jackets]: Kevin Leeman and Pat Elford at left; Ken Kroeker and Headmaster Clive Rose, at right)

To supplement the curriculum, the school took advantage of its inner-city location to lead many field trips to local areas, and created the Junior Achievement Program that further sharpened students’ leadership skills.

Despite the close, effective educational program being built at this location, these early years were not without challenges. The low enrolment had mounted financial pressures, threatening the school’s future. Yet, thanks to the unwavering commitment of Dr. Conklin and Dr. Collett that included personal sacrifices such as mortgaging their own homes, they were able to keep the school afloat. These efforts, combined with excellence and teamwork demonstrated by the school staff, proved enough to not only keep the school alive, but prepare for growth and expansion in the near future.

Looking back, the Balmoral Bungalow laid the foundation for the values that define Rundle College today: small class sizes, personalized learning, and the development of character.