Alumni

History & Legacy

Developing Flourishing Lives Since 1889

The story of Ridley College — one of Canada’s leading, oldest and most prestigious boarding schools — begins in 1888 with the vision our founding headmaster, J.O. Miller. He believed that we are always in a state of transition and the only way to flourish is to become progressive, global thinkers.
 
Ridley’s story is more than an institutional history. The story of Canada’s own exciting development is woven into our fabric.
 
In 1889, Ridley College opened its doors, initially welcoming students from Canada and across the Atlantic. As decades and century passed, our school faced the Depression, two World Wars, industrialization, and the new technological age. Throughout it all, Ridley remained true to its values and adapted to the needs of the global landscape.
 
As the millennium turned, Ridley emerged as a vibrant institution, holding fast to its traditions yet constantly forging new strategies to meet modern challenges.
 
Ridley has always emphasized the highest academic and social standards for its students. Behind these standards is the constant reminder of the needs of others in the school’s motto: Terar Dum Prosim (May I be Consumed in Service).
 
For more than 125 years, our vision and approach to learning has produced influential leaders in a wide variety of fields. Today, our student body includes some of the most brilliant young minds from around the globe.

Our Traditions

List of 4 items.

  • School Grace

    Pro cibus quos accepturi summus
    Deus nos gratos faciat
    per Jesum Christum Dominum Nostrum.
    Amen
    (which sounds like:
    Pro keebeees quos akkeptoori soomus
    day-oos nos gratos fakkee-at
    per Yaysoom kreestoom dahminoom nahstroom.)
    For what we are about to receive,
    may the Lord make us truly thankful,
    through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
    Amen

  • School Hymn

    “Father in Heaven”
    1. Father in heaven, who lovest all,
    O help thy children when they call,
    that they may build from age to age
    an undefiled heritage.
    2. Teach us to bear the yoke in youth
    with steadfastness and careful truth,
    that in our time thy grace may give
    the truth whereby the nations live.
    3. Teach us to rule ourselves always,
    controlled and cleanly night and day,
    that we may bring, if need arise,
    no maimed or worthless sacrifice.
    4. Teach us to look in all our ends
    on thee for judge and not our friends,
    that we with thee may walk uncowed
    by fear or favour of the crowd.
    5. Teach us the strength that cannot seek,
    by deed or thought, to hurt the weak,
    that under thee we may possess
    man’s strength to comfort man’s distress.
    6. Teach us delight in simple things,
    and mirth that has no bitter springs,
    forgiveness free of evil done,
    and love to all men ‘neath the sun.

  • School Prayer

    Almighty God, by whose grace we are assembled here
    today; who has brought us together as members of a
    family; we ask that you bless all present members of this
    school, and those who have gone out into the wider world.
    Grant us good judgement in all things, that we may think
    with compassion, and aim for worthy goals. Teach us to
    discern the right course, and give us courage to pursue it,
    unswayed by worldly pressures or temptations. Increase
    in us moral fidelity, and may your spirit be our constant
    compass. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

  • School Song

    1. Come, fill your glasses up
    To Ridley, to Ridley, to Ridley!
    Come, fill a loving cup
    To Ridley, to Ridley, to Ridley!
    Here's to the place we love;
    May we ever loyal prove;
    Come, fill your glasses up
    To Ridley, to Ridley, to Ridley!
    2. Sing all, with might and main
    Of Ridley, of Ridley, of Ridley!
    Three times three, and once again
    Of Ridley, of Ridley, of Ridley!
    Here's to battles fought and won;
    Here's to heroes who have gone;
    Here's to every worthy one,
    Of Ridley, of Ridley, of Ridley!
    3. Young men and women all
    From Ridley, from Ridley, from Ridley!
    Mem'ries we'll e'er recall
    From Ridley, from Ridley, from Ridley!
    May we of our lives be proud;
    May we face the world unbowed;
    Young men and women all
    From Ridley, from Ridley, from Ridley!

Ridleians of Distinction

For more than 125 years, Ridley College has graduated men and women who have led flourishing lives and made significant contributions to their communities.

As part of the 125th Anniversary of Ridley College, the Alumni Committee researched and prepared profiles of Ridleians of Distinction — Ridley alumni who exemplify Ridley’s motto Terar Dum Prosim.
P.O. Box 3013, 2 Ridley Road St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7C3 Canada 905 684 1889
With more than 700 students from 60 countries, the largest boarding programme in Ontario and the third largest in Canada, Ridley College is a truly international, co-educational, day and boarding school of the world that prepares students for the world. It has provided enriching learning and life-shaping experiences focused on the arts, academics, and athletics since 1889. Ridley’s Lower School offers JK-Grade 8, its Upper School consists of Grade 9-PG, and Ridley graduates attend some of the top universities and colleges around the world. Ridley is the only   co-ed independent boarding school in Canada and one of only three in North America authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum programme.