The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rebuilt school’s worth on show
Iwatched in disbelief as I saw my old school engulfed by a huge fire. The inferno which largely destroyed Morgan Academy in March 2001 was a surreal experience for me. As a TV reporter, I’d been called to the scene to cover one of the biggest conflagrations seen in Scotland for years which, in news terms, sad to say, was pure gold.
Any feelings of pity that I felt had to be brushed aside while I concentrated on doing my job. But I was acutely aware of the pain being felt by teachers and pupils who watched in tears as much of this historic building, and their hard work, went up in flames.
All this was brought to mind as The Morgan celebrated its 150th anniversary last weekend.
A gala event was held at the Caird Hall to showcase the achievements of its pupils and teachers past and present. It made the rapid decision to rebuild the school seem totally valid. The talent displayed on stage by the pupils of 2018 was inspiring.
Morgan has come a long way since its establishment in 1868 and, of course, many things have changed.
The splendid book that’s been produced to chart its 150 years sheds light on one particular aspect of life at Morgan which would evoke gasps of astonishment in 2018.
The 1914 Rules for Female Teachers would certainly trigger a declaration of feminist warfare today. Here are just some: You will not marry during the term of your contract. You are not to keep company with men. You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless at a school function. You may not loiter downtown in any of the ice cream stores. You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have permission of the chairman of the school board. You may not ride in carriages or automobiles with any man except your father or brother. You may not smoke cigarettes. You may not dress in bright colours. You may under no circumstances dye your hair. To keep the classroom neat and clean you must sweep the floor once a day and scrub the floor with hot soapy water once a week!
Oh, and female teachers had to resign on marriage, though this was remedied after the Second World War.
It’s just a hunch, but I don’t think Nicola Sturgeon would approve.
These were clearly very different times and few in Dundee would argue that, otherwise, Morgan Academy has been a credit to the city.
These were clearly very different times and few in Dundee would argue that, otherwise, Morgan Academy has been a credit to the city
And of course, there are other schools in Dundee, and Scotland, that fall into the same commendable category.
Education in Scotland has become something of a political football in recent times.
Education Secretary John Swinney has taken a bit of a kicking with rows over the attainment gap, primary one testing, teacher workload, school reforms and teacher recruitment among the challenges he’s faced.
His faith in the Scottish education system is clearly very strong but Mr Swinney would take heart from the ongoing place that schools like the Morgan have in our society. There are issues that need to be addressed, yes, but we should be grateful that the fundamentals are robust.
At least he doesn’t have to rewrite The 1914 Rules for Female Teachers!
If I can digress somewhat on matters educational to get onto another subject, allow me to mention Sir Sean Connery. During his career, he was sometimes characterised as being a tight-fisted Scot. Yet, this was a man who reportedly donated a fee of £600,000 from the Bond film Diamonds Are Forever to the Scottish International Education Trust. I thought of him this week as speculation mounted over who would succeed Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. After the success of his role in the BBC political thriller, The Bodyguard, another Scot, Richard Madden, has joined Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba among those being touted.
He certainly has the physique and brooding presence of a Bond. Call me old fashioned but, to me, the best Bond of all time will always be Sean Connery. I first watched him in From Russia with Love in 1963 as an awe-struck sevenyear-old.
My mother loved him too – for entirely different reasons. His athletic grace, charm and humour amid the ice cold demeanour of the assassin perfectly fitted Ian Fleming’s character. There’s only one James Bond.