Upper Canada District School Board congratulates 84-year-old high school graduate

Gordon Wallbank may be 84 years old, but he still loves to learn.

“If you don’t keep moving and learning, then that’s when you slow down,” he says.

The former National Film Board of Canada employee and school bus driver earned his high school diploma from the Upper Canada District School Board last month.

With three daughters, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Wallbank says he was inspired by his family's educational pursuits and achievements.

“All around me, I’ve been surrounded by people who have done well in school. I thought, well I think I’d better do something about this,” he explains.

Wallbank left school in Grade 9 after his dad told him drop out so he could start working to make money. 

“Education wasn’t a priority like it is today,” says the 84-year-old. “But when I decided to go back, I had a lot of encouragement from my family.”

After enrolling with the TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education, Wallbank worked with four staff members over the course of the academic year at the Lanark site.

Earning credits for non-academic life experience, he required four credits to earn his diploma. To do so, he completed 40 lessons beginning in September 2020, and worked his way through the lessons over the school year.

He says his toughest subject was fractions.

“I had a problem with fractions, and one of the teachers worked with me intensely, and finally I saw the light and was able to do them,” he says with a laugh. “All of the instructors were very helpful, and they would work with me until I got the problem solved.”

Outside of his studies, Wallbank has a range of hobbies including boating, cross-country skiing, and dancing. He says it’s important to stay active and continue to discover new interests.

Now that he's graduated from high school, he says he would love to take culinary classes as he enjoys cooking and baking – tortieres being his speciality.