Bobby Forrest
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Pupil 1952-1958
It was near the end of the school holidays in the summer of 1952 when my Gran suddenly said to me “you’ll be gaun tae the big school noo son” and she was correct. The next week, I was on to my bike and off to start my S1 at Airdrie Academy. I remember feeling full of apprehension and excitement. Thankfully, I was accompanied by a friend who knew the ropes as he was second year.
I enrolled in Class 1C (Academic!) and among my first teachers were English Josh Inglis, Maths Jessie Ritchie, Science “Butch” Craig, French “Grannie” Bell, Latin “Tearer” Simpson and others. I was issued with a timetable for eight periods per day. WOW eight different teachers in one day! That was a big change from primary school.
The teaching staff are almost too numerous to mention as many came and went in those six years but here is a try.
‘Mighty’ Joe (Roy) Young, ‘Daddy’ Allan, Mr. Wallace, Miss Orr, Miss Ross, Miss Beaucoup, Walter Paterson, James Thomson, Lana Turner, Kate Inglis, Bunty Sneddon, Jimmy Russell, Mr. Gardner (Geography) and the Science buddies Morrison, Smith and Henderson. The technical staff were a trio of Stirling, Pringle and Crawford. I also remember Willie Gill and Annabelle Johnston.
At Airdrie Academy our Rector (not Headi) was called Mr Sinclair and our Gym Teacher was “Corkie” Maitland. I remember they both retired and were replaced by Walter “Flush” Henderson and Bill “Paw” Brown (fresh from a peripatetic (did not know that word then) teacher of PE in local primary schools.
In 1953 the new Airdrie Academy ‘house’ system was introduced. There was Cleddans (for pupils with surnames A to E ), Faskine (F to L), Monklands (M to Q) and Rochsoles (R to Z) I was assigned to Faskine house and the colour was yellow. These same four houses were in existence right up to 2022.
There was an indication that the original Airdrie Academy house system was named after Royal Houses as depicted by the stained-glass windows in the iconic domed assembly hall. I was surprised to learn these are still part of the newer school building opened in 2006 on the South Commonhead Avenue site.
This photograph is from my class in second year. It was taken in school session 1953-54. There does not seem to be a lot of school uniform on show but many of us are wearing our house badges. Back
Back Row L to R. B Forrest, S Stewart, G Johnston, J Findlay, I Henderson, J Wood, W Anderson, A Simpson , I Jenkins,W Eglinton, S Milton, ? CameronD Hamilton, I Shaw.
Front Row L to R V Stirling, J Taylor, A Black, S Gordon, E Walker, I McIlwraith, E Hyslop, C White, L Crichton, E Richardson, S Kirkaldy, A Simpson, J Weir, R Hornall.
The House System produced competition and inter house rivalry in various competitions I remember in my final year preparing for a football match against Rochsoles when our Housemaster “Smiler” Henderson (Maths) sidled up to me and said quietly “Forrest, no prisoners!”. I was shocked as I had never known such a mild-mannered man. These photographs show our football teams in S3 and S4
Airdrie Academy seemed so busy with after school groups like the Debating Society and Christian Fellowship. I understand that both these groups still run in the school to this day! The “Fifties” were a time of change. We had a new Queen and were delighted to get a day off for her Coronation. By third and fourth year, I was settled in well and had made a lot of new friends.
The school concert, held annually in June, was a highlight. No pretentions of grandeur with ‘Gilbert and & Sullivan’ but down to earth variety depicting the work of the school. Performances by the school choirs were conducted by the one and only “Claude” Gibson and excerpts from Shakespeare were performed by the dramatic society. Gymnastic displays for all years were an occasional feature There were also “front of the curtains” skits, which were hilarious but not considered curriculum related! A definite bonus was time out of class for rehearsals.
There was a ‘Sports Qualification’ afternoon and a sports evening with championships at Junior, Intermediate and Senior level separately for boys and girls. I remember winning the Senior title, but I admit by stealth and not ability, leaving the favourites to compete while I stole some thirds and sneaked in the back door. School dances at Christmas were always enjoyable but I must admit that one of the most enjoyable for me was the third-year dance in December 1957 when the boy prefects were invited to attend because there was a shortage of boys in that year. Great fun!
I wonder how many pupils remember or have heard of The John Brown Quiz. John Brown was a teacher of English and was retired prior to 1952. He loved a Quiz and returned each year to provide a written version to be sold, completed, and returned. Big cash prizes were on offer!
In my final year I was football Captain, House Captain for Faskine and a Prefect. I still have my badge to this day. These photographs show the prefects of school session 1957-58 and my badge. Don’t we all look smart?
Back Row (L to R) C Burns, I Hall, H Dobbins (Captain), J. Murray, E. McIntosh (Vice Captain), S McMinn, B Forrest, A Robertson Front Row (L to R) S Ramage, V Hardie, S Gordon. M Hamilton (Captain) M Duff, J Taylor, A Black. Not in Photo L Crichton (Vice Captain).
In my final year two newly qualified teachers arrived in Airdrie Academy. Hamish Macmillan (brother of ‘Wee Mac’ of Airdrie FC) in Science and Sheena Brown in Gymnastics. Both were pupils in 1952 How to address them Sir and Miss ?....difficult I enjoyed my senior years from school in particular. I can still remember most of the names from our class photograph.
Back Row (L to R) W Gemmill ,P White,A Weir,A Lindsay, W Kerr,N Anderson,J Preston,D Hamilton, S McMinn G Fraser.
Middle Row (L to R) M Wiseman, S Kifkcaldy, E Sutherland,M Jack, M Wilson, S Gordon, J Swanson. E Walker,I Robertson, B Forrest, A Robertson.
Front Row (L to R) V Stirling,? Paterson,E Wilson. N Garret, H McKee,M Duff,G Meek, J Farquhar, V Hardie, M Paterson, M Hammond.
On reflection, I enjoyed my days at Airdrie Academy. If somebody is still reading this then I give you my best wishes for the future. Happy 175th anniversary, Airdrie Academy!