My daughter is currently in her first year at Airdrie Academy. Our family have a long history with the Academy.

 

My name is Joanne Watson (nee Hamilton) and I attended Airdrie Academy in the 1980s. My four stand out teachers were Mrs Alba (English), Mr MacDonald (guidance) Mrs Fisher (chemistry) and Mrs Archibald (French). They were all very different and two of them real characters, but all understood kids and went out of their way to get everyone to do their best in class.

 

My best memories are the ski trips, freezing cold mornings playing hockey and the school shows. My friends and I took part in Moon za Poppin (think that’s the correct spelling) that Mr Clements had written. It was a great production and great fun - I can still remember some of the songs!

 

My brother also attended the Academy in the 80s and went on to study engineering at Strathclyde University.

 

Both my parents attended the Academy in the 1950s. They met each other on a school trip to Rome, Naples and Capri (travelling by train and bus) and have been married now for 60 years. This was the first time the school had taken pupils on a trip abroad. My mum and dad remember their Latin teacher Mr Simpson and Miss Ingles (maths), WC Henderson the Rector (they called him flush😀). My dad went on to study metallurgy at Strathclyde University.

 

My maternal Granny also went to the Academy in the 1920s and went on to work in Banners shirt factory in Airdrie, starting as a cutter before moving on to become the bookkeeper and secretary.

 

My paternal grandparents also both went to the academy in the 1920s. My papa went to Glasgow School of Art when he left school and then joined the forces.