Celebrating 50 golden years for Whiting Bay Primary
Whiting Bay Primary School is 50 years old. And to mark its half-century of learning, a day of celebrations for pupils, parents and staff was held at the school last week.
It was in June 1968 that the school opened in a new purpose-built village facility, replacing the classes at the village hall, and it has since taught generations of children.
Donald Ritchie, who was the project leader of the design team at the architectural firm of Baron Bercott and Associates, also made a surprise appearance to mark the occasion when he happened to be driving past the school while visiting his daughter, who lives in Brodick.
To celebrate the school’s golden day, visitors were able to take part in competitions, raffles and a tombola while children could have their faces painted or take part in traditional games on the sun-drenched lawn which included a coconut shy.
In the school hall, parents and visitors were served an array of homebaking with tea and coffee by depute head Quinton Black, while watching a video presentation of the children with the theme of Through the Ages.
Continuing with the theme, each classroom represented an era from the 1960s through to the 1980s. Pupils representing the 1960s were dressed as hippies and took part in fun quizzes and activities. Catriona Smith, a long-serving member of staff, joined P4 and P5 pupils in representing the 1970s with music and books.
Brightly attired and representing the 1980s, Sheila MacAlister taught P1/2/3 pupils about
the era that spawned ET, the Cabbage Patch Kids and cassette players.
Overseeing many of the activities and keeping a watchful eye on proceedings, school stalwart Fiona Yates, education assistant, joined head teacher Shirley MacLachlan in welcoming guests. Mrs Yates, as she is known to pupils, joined the newly built school in 1968 – and has worked there for extended periods over the years having previously worked with pupils at the village hall. But her family’s association with the school goes even further back with her father being involved in the original school since at least 1930.
Head teacher Shirley MacLachlan was delighted with the turnout of parents and visitors, explaining the secret of the school’s success. She said: ‘We work hard to create a safe, nurturing, happy and creative learning environment for all our pupils, encouraging every child to achieve their full potential and have high standards and expectations for all. We believe that learning is lifelong and aim to develop the skills required for learning, life and work in our rapidly changing world.
‘We educate the whole child and everyone feels valued, respected and listened to. Our curriculum supports this through learning a broad general education for all, to develop successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.’
Whiting Bay Primary School currently has 55 pupils on the school roll and offers a broad range of educational opportunities for pupils, including Gaelic, pipes and drums.