LEITH ACADEMY – 450 YEARS OLD
This year 2010 is the 450th anniversary of Leith Academy, underlining its claim to be one of the oldest schools in Scotland. In the earlier part of the year, the school has placed an emphasis on celebrating the diversity of the school community in 2010 through its photographic competition and Diversity Show and marketplace as well as Diversity Workshops in June, involving nearly every pupil.
At the same time, there has been a focus on the past too with work ongoing to unveil a new memorial to former pupils who died in World War II. This is an initiative which came from an S2 pupil but which has involved a growing number of pupils and staff and whose research has been literally worldwide. The memorial, in the design of which pupils have had a major input, will be unveiled at the annual Service of Remembrance on 11 November. In addition, other pupils have been instrumental in raising awareness of and setting up a petition for the return of the Leith flag to Leith. (This flag with the ‘Persevere’ emblem on it hasn’t flown in Leith since it merged with Edinburgh in 1920.) The pupils presented the petition of almost 600 signatures to the Deputy Lord Provost, Cllr Rob Munn, in June and he is negotiating with the Lord Lyon King of Arms for permission to be granted for the flag to flown from public buildings, hopefully from sometime later this year. How apt it would be for this to happen in the 450th year of the school, which has maintained its own version of the ‘Persevere’ emblem across all the years.
The school will be holding an Open Afternoon/Evening on Thursday, 7 October to which it would like to invite former pupils, especially those who go back to the school being based in the old Duke Street building. This event is intended to give to those former pupils an idea of what the school is like today in 2010. There will be tours of the building with displays in departments and staff and pupils on hand to answer any questions. Refreshments will be provided; there’s a good chance souvenirs will be on sale and it will also give an opportunity for people to meet up with their former schoolfriends. If you left school between 1966 and 1985 you might be able to pick up your record card. All former pupils, as well as former staff, are welcome to attend and if you fall into one of those categories and would like to come, please ‘phone the school on 554-0606 or e-mail admin@leith.edin.sch.uk to confirm so as to give the organisers an idea of what numbers to expect. The Open Afternoon/Evening will run from 4.30-7.00pm. It would be particularly good to welcome as many of the Duxes as possible – the Dux board stretches back to 1898 so not every one will be able to attend! – as well as to track down the oldest living former pupil. Again, if that’s you, or if you now someone who is, please let the school know.
Remember the date for your diary: Thursday, 7 October from 4.30-7.00pm at Leith Academy in Academy Park. And don’t forget to let the school know if you’re going, on 554 0606 or admin@leith.edin.sch.uk.
