Nearly 600 children, staff and well-
To the skirl of the bagpipes played by the Nicolson Pipers -
Later, the crowd packed the school hall for a celebration event.
Videos: Stornoway Primary marks its half century
Until 1969, children of all ages in the town attended classes at the Nicolson Institute campus.
Infants were taught in the crammed and draughty Matheson Hall with open fireplaces in classrooms while other lessons were in the “pink building” on Springfield Road.
That November, a brand new standalone primary school -
Some 436 children are presently enrolled in the school plus a further 82 infants in nursery classes.
P7 pupil Antonia Maciver explained today’s event commemorated the school’s half century birthday.
She said the old fashioned “crammed” classrooms in the old school were not necessarily the best environment for teaching children while the school today is “more modern and we have more opportunities to learn.”
Eleven-
“Its very modern and with electronic smart boards” and new technology, she added.
Former teacher Alma Jamieson, 79, recalled opening day.
She said: “We marched up from the “Pink School” to the brand new school. It was very exciting but we were a bit reluctant to move.
“It took teachers quite a while to adapt to this modern, lovely school. I enjoyed it but it had been different to what I was used to.”
Videos: Stornoway Primary marks its half century
One pupil on the march 50 years ago was Angela Crawford who later became a teacher at the school.
She said: “We got to the school that day and it was just fantastic. We were so excited.”
“We misbehaved, slightly,” she confessed, “by running all round the school with Mr John Angus Maciver, the headmaster, giving us such a row.”
“We thought the freedom here was fantastic and it was so lovely being in school here.”
Stornoway Primary head teacher Christeen Macleod said: “We have other events planned to mark the anniversary including a garden party.”
She appealed for former pupils to send in photos or stories about their schooldays for a planned exhibition.
Stornoway Primary’s 50th birthday event
28 November 2019
Alma Jamieson and Angela Crawford reminisce about opening day
Head teacher Christeen Macleod surrounded by pupils at the celebration event
