Linda Strachan

Pupil 1974-1980

I attended Airdrie Academy from 1974 to 1980. In the school year 1975-76 there were over 1700 pupils attending Airdrie Academy. There was a steady increase following the introduction of comprehensive education and the closure of the old Airdrie High school in the late 1960s.

They introduced two new house groups when I was in S1: Glentore and Woodhall. I was a member of Woodhall house. The house masters were Mr Dingwall and Mr Dickson. The house colour for Woodhall was light blue.

This picture shows a Gideon bible, gifted to all pupils in S1 and a Woodhall house badge:

The house block accommodation was required to cope with demand.

It opened in 1975. The house block had three floors.

The houses looking at front doors of building were as follows:

Top Left Rochsoles. Top Right Woodhall

Middle Left Monklands. Middle Right Glentore.

Bottom Left Cleddans. Bottom Right Faskine.

I was quite a shy person at school, a bit unsure of myself and various teachers/departments and experiences helped me to believe in myself and become more confident.

I absolutely loved the music department and spent a lot of time there at lunchtime in the choir and practising for school shows. I was in the cast for Orpheus and the Underworld; the Gondoliers and HMS Pinafore. Loved (but was slightly in awe of the musical director) Betty Pearson and the producer Tom Dingwall.

The Maths department also stand out for me. Mrs Longmuir was PT at the time, and she marked extra past papers I handed in when in S6 even although she wasn't my teacher. I got an A for higher maths eventually but started off in the second bottom maths class in both S2 and S3. Due to the encouragement of Jimmy Rodger and depute head Joe Young, I eventually got over my fear and achieved the A I needed to get into university.

Last but not least the History department. I loved Mr Hutchinson Mr Duncan and Mrs Simpson and Mr Dingwall who was my housemaster. I enjoyed the subject greatly and was good at it. I had never thought of even applying for university - no one in my family had ever gone before. But Jim Hutchison asked me one day why I hadn't applied and helped me navigate the application process and supported my application which was late. I have recently retired having taught History for 37 years. Without Jim taking time out of his day to ask me that simple question I would have never gone to University - I owe him a great deal of gratitude. Also went on a school trip with the history department to Switzerland which was my first ever time abroad.

I hope you have enjoyed my stories. Happy 175th anniversary to Airdrie Academy!

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