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School Uniform

 

Uniform is a significant part of life at school because it can play an important role in promoting a sense of pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging. Modifications and adjustments are made according to the styles of the time.

 

Join us in exploring stories relating to the uniform at Airdrie Academy.

 

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                                                                         1940s

 

Robert Inglis pupil 1941 to 1947

 

As I attended school during the Second World War, we did not have a school uniform. You just turned up in whatever clothes you had. I never had a school tie or blazer during my time there.

 

As the war went on, new clothing also became scarce. Mothers had to knit socks and jerseys when they could get the wool. One thing I do remember is that the girls could not get stockings, so what did they do? Painted their legs! So much for 1940s fashion!

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​Photo shared by Campbell McCracken

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Bobby Forrest, pupil 1952-1958

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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George Moonie pupil from 1956 to 1961

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I remember getting my smart blazer and satchel for starting the Academy. To me, it was whole other world. I had no idea what I was in for at the Academy. It was a school for the elite, the academics. Everybody studied Latin and classes were organised in order of merit 1A, 1B, 1C so on. This was my S1 class photo from 1956:

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Airdrie Academy at the time I attended had around 600 pupils. The school was very much a community. As new first years, we very quickly got to know the other pupils and we got to know the teachers who looked out for us. They were very strict but always encouraged us to do our best and take our studies seriously.

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Anne Macpherson, pupil 1954-1960

 

I remember an exciting part of the school calendar were the organised dances. These pictures were taken in my senior years at school.

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In the trio, I am on the left, then Elizabeth Jarvie (now Fleming), then Elisabeth Shaw (now Donald). Lis Shaw was girls’ captain.

In the duo, I am on the left then Elisabeth Shaw on the right. We are wearing our “Californian Cotton” frocks, very “in” at the time!

 

I am still in touch with both of them.

 

Elizabeth Shaw, pupil 1954-1960

This is my class photograph from 1959:

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You can see the style of school uniform we wore. The skirts were either pencil skirt or a man made pleated material and the schoolteachers were very strict about the length. We used to roll them up and some girls wore “stick out” petticoats to make them look sexier! We also wore our school ties and blazers. Your badge was coloured according to the house group: Cleddans (blue) Faskine (yellow) Monklands (red) or Rochsoles (white). As it went by surname, my house group was Rochsoles.

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Margaret Craig, pupil 1958-1964

 

During the summer of 1958 my parents received a letter saying I had passed the 11 plus exams and would be attending Airdrie Academy. I was thrilled and excited. I had never worn a school uniform before and was so proud wearing my blue blazer with my Airdrie Academy badge. To start school my parents bought me a leather briefcase and a fountain pen both of which I treasured all through my years at Airdrie Academy. 

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Linda Burns – Pupil from 1963-1968

 

I was a pupil at the Academy during the mini-skirt era and we girls were desperate to wear our grey school skirts as short as possible. However, Mr. Henderson, the Rector, did not approve of this trend. My friend and I would double over the waistband of our skirts to hitch them higher.  Passing us one day in the corridor, he stopped us both and ordered us to lower the hemline to a ‘decent’ level as “That may be alright for Airdrie Palais but not for Airdrie Academy!”
 

I was insulted. I had never set foot in Airdrie Palais!  But we obeyed his command!

 

Innes Alexander (nee Smith) pupil 1963-1969

 

When I started as a pupil at Airdrie Academy in 1963 it was a Senior Secondary School. Pupils were allocated places to local secondary schools in those days on the basis of performance in school grading examinations. As a result, only a few of my primary classmates transferred to the Academy.

 

The first morning there was therefore very daunting for us coming to a huge, imposing building much bigger than our Primary School where all the pupils, most of whom seemed so grown up compared to us, were smartly dressed in school uniform and teachers wore their impressive black academic gowns.

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Jim Smillie, Pupil 1963-1969.

I was a keen footballer but never good enough to be in the First Team, however it did broaden my school experience. The Academy could have up to 10 football teams across the age groups.

 

This photo shows the 2nd Intermediates (under 15) 1965-66.

As can be seen in team photos sports strips matched the school ties. The colours were always royal blue, sky blue and gold.

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Back L-R Tom Forbes, Sandy Black, Jim Forbes, Gordon Weir, Ian Scales, Jim Smillie. Front L-R Walter Speirs, Colin Frame, Russell Taylor, Willie Coffey, Bobby McLean & Mr McFadyen. Mr McFadyen was a Geography teacher.

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Seniors (Under 18) 3rd Team 1967/68

 

Back L-R Ian Paterson, Colin Frame, Roy Burgess, Ricky Murning, John Henderson, Ian Shanks, Robert Hunter.

Front L-R Bill 'Paw' Brown, Euan MacPherson, Jim Smillie, Jim Gibson, John Galletly, Jim Fleming, John Black, Willie Russell.

 

Linda Strachan Pupil 1974-1980

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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:

 

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Arthur Bannister, pupil 1979-1985

 

I loved the house system. When I was at Airdrie Academy, there were six house groups. Each had their own colours, canteen, games area, common room and seating area in the newly constructed ‘house block’. Cleddans dark blue, Faskine yellow, Glentore was purple/lilac ,Monklands red, Rochsoles white and Woodhall light blue.

 

There were numerous inter house competitions and I always out helped when I could. In third year, I was made a monitor. In this role, I helped look after our house's canteen, games room and tuck shop in the House Block. All six houses had the same layout. In fourth year, I was a Prefect meaning I gave more help for my house. In fifth year, I became Vice Captain helping the housemasters. My friend Stuart Currie became House Captain in sixth Year, but he was then promoted to School Captain (Boys) so I stepped up to House Captain. Yes, there were boys’ captains and girls’ captains back then. 

 

My Mum has kept my blazer. It was still in my old wardrobe and has been hanging there since 1985! Mum also has my sister Rae’s blazer; Rae was one year above me 1978 to 1984 and I had two cousins there also at the time. You can see all my school badges still proudly attached to the lapel.

 

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Scott Hamilton- pupil 1980-1986

 

I was appointed school captain in my final year 1985-86. We had a great team of seniors who worked closely together. I recently found my old blazer too with the captain’s braid. It almost still fits, thirty eight years later!

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Happy anniversary, Airdrie Academy!

 

 

Kirsty Grozier- pupil 1983-1989

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Below is an old school photo of school captains circa 1989 with rector Mr Smith. My name is Kirsty Mills, name then was Kirsty Grozier. I was a Senior Vice Captain (bottom left) and my triplet sisters were Vice Captains - Dana Grozier (bottom second from left) and Kasha O'Hanlon(Grozier) is pictured bottom right. 

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Julie Shaw pupil 1989-1995

 

This is my senior year group photo in 1994/95. We voted not to have prefects or captains that year- we wanted to boycott all that nonsense!

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Jackie Kerr- office manager

 

I remember when David Craig became a depute he change the uniform to polo shirts and sweatshirts, no collar and tie. This lasted a few years till the new blue blazer and new colour blue tie was brought back. Can’t quite remember which year…. Early/ Mid 90’s maybe

 

Gail Crosbie- English teacher

 

In 2006 Airdrie Academy did a large-scale consultation on uniform. It was unanimously voted to keep the traditional white shirt, school tie and blazer.

Two ties are available for seniors and junior pupils

The uniform is very traditional and links generations of Academy pupils together.

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cara Stewart, pupil 2010- 2016

I’m a former pupil from Airdrie Academy (2010-2016) and was in many school shows through my time at high school along with my sisters Hannah and Heather Stewart (both left recently).  I saw the 175 memories on Facebook and thought I’d share a couple of memories/pictures!

 

As school vice captain, I was very proud to wear a blazer with braiding in S6.

 

The annual trip to the battlefields in Belgium was a huge highlight of my time at Airdrie Academy. It was a fantastic mix of adventure, fun, education, and friendship - everything you wanted in a school trip. I still have all my photos!

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This group shot was taken shortly before we took part in the Menin Gate ceremony where the school captains laid a wreath on behalf of Airdrie Academy. It was a very moving experience to be part of.

 

Lauren Gray – pupil 2012-2018

I remember the excitement of getting our leavers hoodies in S6. You could order one in your favourite colour and it had the Airdrie Academy badge on the front and the year you left on the back. The numbers were filled up with names of everyone in our year. I love this photograph of the class of 2018. The hoodies make a rainbow of colour.

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Gail Crosbie- English teacher

 

During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the must have accessory of Airdrie Academy uniform was a facemask. The pupils showed maturity and resilience when faced with the challenges of schooling with social distancing! My own personal challenge was wearing a mask without my glasses steaming up.  This picture was taken after our return to school after the second lockdown in March, 2021. We were teaching classes in airy gym halls keeping everyone two metres apart.

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The one recent addition to our school uniform is a dark blue hooded top. This became an option for days when pupils had outdoor P.E. and could not access changing facilities within school. It has become a popular option for younger pupils. The picture below is from 2024 when former pupil, 95 year old, Mr Robert Inglis visited a group of S1 pupils.

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