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London, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
March 20, 2026
Vol. VIII, p. 480
Arms of Matthews HallBlazonPer bend sinister grady Gules and Azure, two pairs of maple seeds conjoined at their seed pods bendwise sinister, in dexter chief three acorns in pairle their stems conjoined Or; SymbolismGold, red and blue are the school’s colours. The stepped line symbolizes the different grades through which the school’s students progress. The maple seeds and acorns are references to the hidden promise of each child and to the school’s role in nurturing potential in generations of its students. Furthermore, the acorns honour the school’s founder, Kate Sotham Matthews, as the oak is the national tree of England where she was born. |
CrestBlazonA northern cardinal proper issuant from a coronet Azure set with a rose between hazelnuts Or; SymbolismThe northern cardinal is the official bird of London, Ontario, where the school was founded in 1918, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, in the city’s core. The hazelnuts in the crown symbolize knowledge and wisdom, each one here representing one of the school’s four student houses. The rose, another emblem of England, also symbolizes the birthplace of Kate Matthews and serves as a reminder of her love for children, who remain at the forefront of the school’s mission and values. |
MottoBlazonDEBEO • POSSUM • VOLO; SymbolismThese Latin words, meaning “I must, I can, I will,” express the school’s long-standing dedication to inspiring in its students the ideal of personal motivation and commitment in life. |
SupportersBlazonTwo swans proper each gorged of a collar Vert pendent therefrom a roundel per bend sinister Gules and Azure and charged with a bezant, standing on a mount Vert set with pine needles proper and acorns Or issuant from barry wavy Or and Azure; SymbolismRepresenting learning and harmony, the swans symbolize the school as one that helps students face life bravely and with joy, whatever it may hold for them. The collars and discs symbolize the school’s four houses by their colours: gold for Sydenham, green for Waterloo, red for St. George and blue for Oxford. The pine needles and acorns allude to the school’s location in London, known as “The Forest City.” The wavy stripes represent the Thames River that flows through London. |
Flag of Matthews HallBlazonA banner of the Arms, adextré Or four hazelnuts in pale Azure; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of Matthews HallBlazonA square Gules charged with four hazelnuts in saltire their stems conjoined Or; SymbolismGold and red are the school’s colours. The four hazelnuts symbolize the houses of the school: Sydenham, Waterloo, St. George and Oxford, each being the street name of a former location of Miss Matthews’ School. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationSince 2023, grants, registrations and approvals of heraldic emblems are no longer announced in the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDebra MacGarvie CalligrapherLuc Saucier Recipient TypeCivil Institution |