Arms: The shield is divided by a fluctuating line which represents a flame, a symbol traditionally representing the spirit of inspiration for education. The colours red and white in the lower part of the shield are the colours of the City of Guelph.
The primary charge is a depiction of the school’s main entrance with its door open. It represents the invitation to engage in the opportunities that come from education, and is related to the motto. The bell within the stone arch and the arch itself represent previous historical buildings now incorporated into the present site’s main edifice. The arch became part of a ceremonial entranceway to the school’s auditorium, and the bell is rung on special ceremonial occasions. The repetition of the triangular charge three times in chief, akin to the Scottish custom of the chief of clan wearing three feathers, emphasizes that the school was designated as the chief school of the county
Crest: The maple leaves come from the monogrammed device in use since the 1920's. The horse alludes to the one on the front of the school entrance. It holds a red poppy alluding to the city’s name as part of the school’s name, the city sometimes being known as “The poppy city,” alluding to John McCrae, an alumnus of the school, author of “In Flanders Fields.”.
Motto: This means “Here the field lies open to all talents.”
Supporters: The unicorn represents ideas of Scotland and royalty, two being found as supporters of the arms of the King of Scotland. Its mythical characteristics of virtue and purity are inspirations and strengths for an educational body battling against its natural foe, ignorance. The emblems at their neck mark these unicorns as being specific to the school, showing the monogrammed disc bearing the letters GCVI. The Guelph limestone of the compartment is a type which naturally occurs in the Guelph area, and has been used to build many buildings from the 1840's
Badge: The triangular charge is based on the device long used by the school, which shows a triangle bearing the letters GCVI and ensigned by a Royal crown. It appears in the school colours of green and white.
Flag for the School: This is the flag for the administration to use on behalf of the school. The school arms appear on the flag, with the supporter bearing the monogrammed disc also.
Flag for the Students’ Council: This is the flag that students organizations might use when they are participating in events. It is in the school colours.
Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter: Ilona Jurkiewicz
Calligrapher: Doris Wionzek
Judy Sorbara, Principal; Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald; Wendy Darroch, Office Administrator, Alumni Association; Bob Hohenadel, President Alumni Association; Judy Pavlis, Treasurer Alumni Association, with the Coat of Arms October 4, 2007
Members of Student Senate check out the displays on the history of GCVI
Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald
Articles and items from the Archives on display during the presentation ceremony
