School and Contact Information
James Strath Public School was named after Dr. F. James Strath, a
Peterborough paediatrician. After serving four years in the Royal Canadian Air
Force, Dr. Strath came to Peterborough in 1969.
Dr Strath began his paediatric practice in partnership with the
Peterborough Clinic. Later, he served as chief of paediatrics at Peterborough
Civic Hospital and at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was chair and founding member
of the Peterborough and District Child Abuse Committee, as well as member of
the board of directors of Sir Sanford Fleming College School of Nursing.
From 1980 to 1988, Dr. Strath was elected to three consecutive terms as
a trustee with the Peterborough County Board of Education. From 1985 to 1986,
he was chair of the Board. Dr. Strath’s contributions as a trustee were
extensive, particularly in the area of early childhood education and special
education. He was one of the principal advocates to junior kindergarten and was
instrumental in helping to introduce it to Peterborough County Board of
Education schools.
Dr. Strath’s professional life was dedicated to the well-being of
children – their health and their education. In a tribute to him, the mother of
one of his patients wrote:
We will remember his kindness, his compassion and his words of
encouragement. We, too, will look at our special children, appreciating the joy
and love they bring to our lives. When we see them, their triumphs, their
mastery of life’s tasks, we will see Dr. Strath.
