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Next Meeting of the F.P. Association

The next meeting of The Gordon Schools’ Former Pupils’ Association is at 7pm on Monday 26th February 2024 at The Gordon Schools.

Patrick Scott's Latest Book 

Association member and Huntly historian Patrick Scott has recorded the personal stories and memories of the war years and gathered them together in a book entitled ‘Huntly’s World War II’.


Patrick amassed the information from all sorts of people and in different situations over a lot of years. Stories from his own relatives and from the families of men who had come home from war and didn’t want to speak about their experiences.


The book is broken into short chapters with touching stories of evacuees arriving off trains, descriptions of planes over Huntly, conscription, pillboxes, sirens and life for ‘bairns’ during the war years.


Patrick has written at least a dozen books, including two volumes on Huntly Cricket Club and a History of Strathbogie.


Huntly’s World War II is available to buy from Orb’s Community Bookshop, Dean’s and McColls.

 Former Pupils' Battle in Beijing

Andrew Young and Andrew Musgrave gave a good account of themselves at the Winter Olympics 2022. If you want to know any further details please see articles published in The Huntly Express on February 10th and February 17th.

 “… the most distinguished female graduate in medicine”

What is it like to have something like this said about one? Ebony Martin, former pupil of The Gordon Schools, could tell us. If you would like to find out how she would know, please read the article in The Huntly Express, dated August 5th, 2021.

Lottie Florence

The Huntly Express recently announced the death at Rothieden, Huntly, on Tuesday, January 19th, 2021, of Charlotte (Lottie) Florence, for many years a teacher at Gordon Primary School, Huntly. Please read the obituary printed in The Huntly Express, dated 28/01/21 (click on the date).

Well-deserved Praise for Nicola

 
 
Nicola Whyte, a former pupil of The Gordon Schools, has been hailed as the local heroine in connection with the recent tragic train derailment near Stonehaven. In spite of being injured herself, Nicola bravely went for help, thinking of others before thinking of herself.


If you would like to read the article by Pat Scott published in The Huntly Express on Thursday, August 20, 2020, please click on these links: Nicola Whyte and Nicola Whyte 27/08/20.

  

Two Former Pupils Retire

Last orders were taken last week after nearly fifty years at the bar.

The Huntly Express, 21/04/17 

 

Congratulations to Rizza’s of Huntly

Congratulations to owners of Rizza’s of Huntly, Philip and Nora Morrison, on being awarded ‘The Herald’ Rural Family Business of the year. They are pictured with family members Fiona and Donald. Nora Morrison is President of the Former Pupils’ Association. Press cuttings:

Rizza’s 1 Rizza’s 2

Huntly Express

 

Guest Book Signed

For more details please click on Guest Book above.
 

Wilma Dean-Prasad - "Living in Dallas Texas now"

John A.M. Bisset - ”Attended school 9/1939 for a year ... Remember my friend John Law.”

Alan Gordon - ”I attended the Gordon Schools between 1982 and 1986. I was in Gordon House.”

Sharon Gray (nee Taylor) - ”I attended Gordon Secondary School from 1985 ...”

Darren Millar - ”Hello. Is it me you’re looking for?”

Joyce McGroarty (nee Finlay) - ”Great to find Lorna Chisholm ...”

Steven Arthur (Bushy) - ”sorry I missed the school reunion ...”

Heather Small (Anton) - ”Happy memories!!”

Glynis Lorina Eastmond - ”Was at the school from 1956 to 1960. ...”

Carol McCartie - ”I was a pupil 1974 - 1979.”

Charles MacPherson - He asks:”Anne McCauley Aren’t you Charlie Smith’s sister?”

George Riddoch - better known as Ridgy - attended The Gordon Schools from 1939 to 1951.

Brian Sandison: ”I remember about half the faces in Stanley’s photo of 1A boys 1959/60 ...”

J. Brown, 2004 to 2009, presently at Abertay University.

Philip Roger, 1968 to 69, Fairhall Farm, ”looking to get in touch with the Paterson family who lived at the end of our driveway”.

Maureen Newlands, nee Richards, 1962 to 1966.

This entry in the Guest Book is from Charlie McPherson: ”Nice to see some of the old class mates in the photos!”

David Smart signed the Guest Book (09/07/15). He is hoping that someone may have photographs of 1a girls and 1c girls (1959/60).

Stanley T. Fraser signed the Guest Book (28/06/15). He offers to share a photograph of class 1a boys from 1959/60. (The photograph has now been received. Thank you, Stan Fraser. Please click to see 1a boys - 1959/60.)

The Guest Book has been signed by Willson Raeburn Morrison. In his message he mentions John Anderson, Gordon Beverley and Ann Begg.

On February 11th, 2015, the Guest Book was signed by Jimmy Mason (”... recalling fond memories”) and Robert Wilson, who now lives in London.

Fiona Morrison signed the Guest Book on May 26th, 2015. She was a pupil at The Gordon Schools from 1966 to 1969.

 Class of 1959-1960

David Smart has made available the photograph of class 1b from session 1959-1960. To view, please click on the link:

Class 1b 1959-60

David has asked if anyone can make available an equivalent photograph of class 1a or 1c from that same session for placing on the website. See Guest Book. A photograh of 1a boys has been made available by Stan Fraser. Please click to view: 1a boys - 1959/60.

He has also passed on the whole school panorama from 1955. This is on the photographic page of the website. Panoramas

Angela Shearer MBE

 

Angela Shearer received her MBE from the Queen at the Palace of Holyrood in June. 

175th Celebrations: Vintage Night

As part of the 175th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of The Gordon Schools, a Vintage Night was held in June.

For further details see: Vintage Night Poster

Introduction

A welcome from the President.

 

Magazines

The 2014 edition of 'The School Road' has been printed and is now on sale.

 

New Horizons for Sophie


Former pupil of The Gordon Schools Sophie Buxton is about to begin  an exciting career in screen acting by stepping from the North East of Scotland College to the International School of Screen Acting in London—and from there, who knows?

For full article click here.

Teenager to Help Rebuilding Classrooms in Nepal

Maggie Duffus, a former pupil of The Gordon Schools, is looking forward to a trip to Nepal to take part in a project run by Childreach International.

See the article in The Huntly Express (01/04/16).

 Esther Named Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet

 

Picture: Lyn McDonald

 

Esther Smith from Kennethmomt, a former pupil of The Gordon Schools, has ”reached the highest rank in the air cadets”. Her ambition is to become an airline pilot.

For more details, please see the article in The Huntly Express, dated 07/07/17.

"Living the Dream"

Former pupil Ciara Ennis is about to set off on a ten-month voyage on the cruise ship Balmoral. She will be the head vocalist in the passenger ship’s entertainment programme. For further details, please see the article "Making Waves" by Pat Scott in The Huntly Express, dated 15/03/19.

Brave Young Woman Tackles Stigma 

Read about a former pupil’s decision to help to "overcome the stigma surrounding colostomy bags". Alannah-Jane Simpson "has agreed to be photographed for a charity calendar".

The article "Mission to shake medical stigma" by Alistair Whitfield appeared in The Huntly Express on Friday, March 22nd, 2019.

You are on the HOME page.

To All Members of the Gordon Schools' Former Pupils' Association

FPA Magazine

Please note that our magazine has now gone out electronically. If you did not receive your copy, would you please contact this address:

 

mctavish422@btinternet.com.

 

With our best wishes for a healthy and virus-free future.

Dux Medals

As reported in The School Road the Association has had concerns for some time about the ever increasing costs of the materials used for the Dux Medals.  The cost for 2023 was staggering and prompted the Association to look for Grant Aid.

We are delighted to report that we have been awarded a full grant from Huntly Educational Trust to cover this outlay.

The Association would like to thank Huntly Educational Trust and we are extremely grateful for this assistance.

 Former Pupil Appointed Head of Robert Gordon’s College

From 1st August 2020, Robin Macpherson will take over the headship of Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen. For Mr Macpherson, this will mean a return to Aberdeenshire, where he spent his early years. He began his education at Huntly Primary School, from where he moved to Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. He is the son of the Reverend Allan Macpherson (1939 to 2012), who was minister of Huntly Cairney Glass for ten years.

Robin Macpherson has had a long and distinguished career in education. He is currently Assistant Rector of Dollar Academy, Clackmannanshire.

"I’m a history teacher by trade … I’ve worked in Scotland, England and the UAE and have taught national curricula as well as International Baccalaureate (IP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP), branches of the IP. I’ve worked as an examiner for the SQA … and was a Content Director of the Telegraph Festival of Education, and I organise researchED Scotland. In Summer 2019 I launched EduMod at the Fringe, an international education festival, with Summerhouse Media."

Macpherson is working on a book entitled “The Research Informed Teacher”; he co-authored a practical guide on classroom teaching and published history textbooks and materials with Cambridge University Press. He is a board member for the educational charity Remembering Srebrenica Scotland and chairs the Education Committee. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a keen advocate and public speaker in international education. Robin Macpherson “will be very well suited to leading this amazing school forward in the next years” (Simon Mills, current head of RGC).

New Publication:
Carved Stone, Painted Glass

Valerie Ross has published her research into the names on the school’s memorial stained-glass window in a book titled ‘Carved Stone, Painted Glass’. It is a quality hardback, 414 pages, 8 colour plates and a satin marker ribbon. It costs £17.50. It can be purchased from TGS’s reception, Orb’s bookshop, or by post if you contact Valerie through facebook.

For full details please see the following links: 

New Publication   21/12/18   04/01/19   06/11/15   EVENTS page

 Surprise Finish to "Best ever marathon"

Former pupil of The Gordon Schools, Fiona Cherry, received a hearty round of applause on finishing the Edinburgh Marathon in her personal best time of just over four hours. But there is more to the story than one might think...

If you would like to find out, please see the article published in The Huntly Express on June 1, 2018. 01/06/18

Heading Towards the Top 

Plumber of the Year 2016, Shaun Scott, former pupil of The Gordon Schools, adds another award to his growing list. For further details, see the article published in The Huntly Express on May 25th, 2018.

May 25th

John Swan
Former Rector of The Gordon Schools

It came as a huge shock to The Gordon Schools and its friends and to the town of Huntly to learn of the death of John Swan, former rector of The Gordon Schools and a caring friend to so many.

Our thoughts are with all the family at this time.

Notice in The Press and Journal (originally printed on January 13, 2018)

SWAN (Huntly) Peacefully at Rothieden on Thursday, January 11, 2018, John, aged 71 years, dearly beloved husband of Maureen, much loved and loving dad of Morven, Moray and Correen, adored granda of Ailsa, Alasdair, Rory and Niamh and also a dear father-in-law. John will be very sadly missed by all who knew him. Funeral service in Strathbogie Church, Huntly, on Saturday, January 20, at 10.00 a.m. Thereafter to Banff Cemetery. All friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at church door in aid of Friends of Jubilee Hospital.

 

Please see the articles in The Huntly Express, dated 19/01/18, for further details.

Article 1 

Article 2

 

Dr Hugh Brebner

From Nora Morrison, President of The Gordon Schools’ Former Pupils’ Association:

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the death of our much loved and highly respected Honorary President, Dr Hugh Brebner, on 10th September 2017. Born 5th June 1921 Dr Brebner became our Association’s Honorary President in 1999 and throughout his tenure encouraged and supported the committee in every possible way, attending all reunions and showing keen interest in the life of The Gordon Schools.

Those of us privileged to know this true gentleman held him in high regard and will remember him with lasting affection.

 

To see an enlarged version of the image, please click here 
To read the obituary, which was provided by Dr Brebner’s family, please click here

 

 The Gordon Schools, Huntly
Renewing our Vision and Values

Mr Phil Gaiter, rector of The Gordon Schools, invites all members of the Former Pupils’ Association and all former pupils to take part in the reflection on vision and values for The Gordon Schools. Please click on the Vision-and-Values (Word-file)  link to see the leaflet that will guide your responses. 

Vision&Values

 

In pdf-format:

Vision&Values PDF

 

 

The school may be contacted at this address:

gordonschools.aca@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

The Press and Journal Photograph
Young Enterprise Company 1988/89
PLEASE HELP, IF YOU CAN

 

We are looking for the names of the former pupils in this photograph.

 Kirstie Plays the Game

Congratulations to former pupil Kirstie Gordon, who has been selected to represent her country at the ICC Women’s Global Qualifier in Sri Lanka in February. The cricket squad “will be going out there to do our country proud”. (Scotland captain Abbi Aitken)

For details please see Pat Scott’s article in The Huntly Express, dated 20/01/17

Obituary: John Dawson

On Saturday, September 17, 2016, an obituary appeared in the Herald concerning a former pupil of The Gordon Schools. He was John Dawson, born on December 11, 1919, died on July 16, 2016. He left school at 16, “found work in Aberdeen and took a course in wireless telegraphy, leading to his joining the RAF in October 1940”. (From the obituary by Campbell Thomas)
 

Please find the obituary by clicking on the link.

John Dawson

Tribute to Allan Thomson
22nd January 1934 to 30th March 2016

Allan Thomson was born in Huntly as one of eleven children. He was educated at The Gordon Schools. After school, he worked as a butcher’s messenger boy to help support his mother. He played football for Huntly FC together with his brothers Sandy, Jack and Bill.
   Allan began his career at Spence’s of Huntly.
   After his National Service, stationed in Hong Kong, he moved to Loughborough, where in 1956 he became manager of the Towels Knitwear Company. In 1959, he went to New Zealand to join that country’s largest textile company, eventually advancing to managing director. In 1964, he returned to the UK with his first wife Helen. He joined Greenwoods Textile Company in Biddulph, North Staffordshire, serving as managing director from 1975 to 1979. Before retiring in 1988, he held his last post with Charnos as managing director.
   He married his second wife Monica in 1992.
   Allan was a regular church goer. He pursued many interests such as golfing, gardening, fishing, travelling, music and dancing. His favourite tipple was a Clenfarclas malt.
   A very special occasion for Allan was the day he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London for his services to the textile industry.
   He spent his last two and a half years at Rutland Manor, where on March 30th, 2016, he died peacefully at the age of 82.
   He is survived by his wife Monica, his daughter Clare and his granddaughter Stephanie.

Former Pupil Receives Honour

Patricia McWilliam (now Patricia Straughen) was awarded an OBE for her charitable work with the Archie Foundation and Maggie's Cancer Centre in Aberdeen.

For details, please see the article in The Huntly Express, dated 05/08/16.

HE05/08/16 

Corporal Michael Pike Remembered

On the fifth anniversary of Corporal Pike's death in Afghanistan, five of his comrades laid a wreath at the Huntly War Memorial to commemorate their fallen friend. Corporal Pike was killed in action in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, in June 2011.

For details, please see the article in The Huntly Express, dated Friday, June 10, 2016. See also EVENTS page, centre column: Corporal Michael Pike.

HE10/06/16

Former Pupil Rebukes Scottish Government

John Gordon of Wellheads, past president of the National Farmers' Union Scotland, blames the failure to deliver the new CAP support on "... politicians, ... civil servants and the not-fit-for-purpose IT system", according to The Huntly Express (11/03/16). To read the full article by Pat Scott, please click on the link.
HE 11/03/16

 

Shona Donaldson – Bothy Ballad Champion 

At the Bothy Ballad Championships held in Elgin in mid-February 2016, Shona Donaldson, former pupil of The Gordon Schools, “became the first woman to win the coveted Macallan Porridge Bowl and Spurtle”.
 
 
To read the article in The Huntly Express (19/02/16), please click on the link:
Bothy Ballad Champion

Member of The Gordon Schools'
Former Pupils' Association
Receives Citizen of the Year Award

Musical couple Keith Cockburn and wife Pam were the popular choice of the Huntly community for the award of Huntly's Citizens of the Year 2015. Described as "inspirational individuals and great ambassadors for Huntly", they were chosen from among fifty nominations.

To read the articles in The Huntly Express of Friday, December 11th, 2015, please click the link.

HE11/12/15

 

Ewen McDonald

Late on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2015, Ewen McDonald, former rector of The Gordon Schools, Huntly, died peacefully at Alexander Scott’s Hospital at the age of 94. The funeral service was held at Strathbogie Church, Huntly, on Friday, May 15, at 1.15 pm.

Ewen McDonald, the son of a senior policeman, was born in Glasgow on June 30, 1920. He attended Allan Glen’s School and began studying for the Church of Scotland ministry at Glasgow University. The war intervened, and he became a pilot in the RAF. After the war, he resumed his studies, opting for the Arts instead of Divinity. He graduated with a degree in English. While teaching in Oban, he became friendly with Iain Crichton Smith, Scots poet and man of letters.
     In 1961, Ewen McDonald came to Huntly as rector of The Gordon Schools, a post he occupied for a little over twenty years. Throughout his entire professional life and well into retirement, he remained dedicated to the education and well-being of young people. A cultured and erudite man, he held numerous offices, among all of them still finding time to be treasurer and elder of Strathbogie Church.
     In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening and hill walking with a friend and with Grendel, his black Labrador. He loved books, was a voracious reader and extremely widely read.
     After retiring, he travelled extensively, including a period of trekking in Nepal.
     Almost to the last, his lively mind remained active and alert. 
 

He was a man, take him for all in all,
[We] shall not look upon his like again.

 

For details, see the obituaries: The Scotsman  The Huntly Express

Miss Isobel Forbes

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the death of Miss Isobel Forbes, much-loved and highly-respected former Assistant Head Teacher at The Gordon Schools and member of The Gordon Schools’ Former Pupils’ Association. Miss Forbes passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 10th March, at Alexander Scott’s Eventide Home at the age of 88 years.

Isobel Munro Forbes was born at Lady’s Bridge in 1927. When she was still a little girl, the family – mother, father and two brothers – moved to Grange, where her father was the stationmaster. She received her early education at Keith Grammar School, where she was a very bright and academically alert pupil. At the age of seventeen, she went to Aberdeen University to study Mathematics.

Willing to teach anywhere, Isobel Forbes took up her first teaching post in Perthshire. After the death of her mother in 1949, she came home to look after her father and brothers. In time, she became a teacher of Mathematics at the Gordon Schools in Huntly and then Assistant Head Teacher with special responsibility for Guidance and Pastoral Care.

A dedicated teacher and mentor, she still found time for numerous outside interests: she was a very successful Maths tutor for many years; she was an elder of the Kirk for thirty-three years, a member of both the church and the school choir, of the stroke club, the bowling club, ARC and the Former Pupils’ Association; for a time, she was an officer in the Lifeboys and golf captain; she played bridge, took an interest in lace-making and was a great reader and crossword enthusiast.

In 2013, she moved into Scott’s Hospital, where she was very happy, despite the poor state of her health during her final months.
 
Those of us who were privileged to know her will remember her with lasting affection – her dignity, her humanity and her humility.

 

 

Mrs Jane Kennedy

On Saturday, March 21, 2015, Mrs Jane V. Kennedy, former primary school mistress and later head of the Special Unit, died peacefully at Alexander Scott’s Hospital, aged 94 years.
 
Mrs Kennedy’s association with the Gordon Schools began in 1928, when she arrived as a pupil. She began her teaching career as a relief teacher at Insch, Gartly and Drumblade, before becoming a full-time primary teacher and, for the last thirteen years before retirement, head of the Special Unit.

Mrs Kennedy retired from teaching after thirty-five years on July 2, 1982. The surprise party that her colleagues and the pupils of the Unit had prepared for her was a fitting token of the esteem in which she was held by teachers and pupils alike.

David Smart has kindly made available a photograph of Mrs Kennedy with her class on the first day of school in 1947. Pleass click here.

 

 
 

Millie Herd, BEM

After a short illness, borne with great dignity, Millie Herd, a former pupil of The Gordon Schools, died on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Dr Gray’s Hospital, aged 83 years.

Millie (pictured on the far right in this photograph from The Northern Scot) was a well-known local musician who, over the years, played in many different bands, raising thousands of pounds for local charities. Her music took her all over the world, and she made many friends.

In June 2013, on returning to Moray from a trip to Denmark with the Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society, she learned that she had been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. She was presented with her medal by Grenville Johnston, Lord Lieutenant of Moray. He paid tribute to Millie as someone who had dedicated her life to the community.

Apart from music, Millie’s other great love was cats. Among her favourite sayings was one borrowed from Albert Schweitzer:

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.

 
 
 

Ena Baxter

The Herald, January 15, 2015

On January 15th, 2015, the death at the age of 90 of Ena Baxter was announced. Born Ena Robertson on August 12th, 1924, at Drumblair House near Forgue, Ena Baxter grew up in Huntly, where she was a pupil at The Gordon Schools. A talented artist, she studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen and maintained a life-long passion for art. During the Second World War, she worked with the Ministry of Food at the Torry Research Station in Aberdeen. After the war, she found employment as a teacher of Art in Fochabers.

In 1952, Ena Robertson married Gordon Baxter and joined the Baxter brothers’ family business. Through her recipes for soups, she was instrumental in turning the business into one of Scotland’s most successful food companies. In 1981, the couple set up the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, which provides financial support to good causes in the Highlands and in Moray. After 1992, when George and Ena Baxter handed over the running of the firm to their daughter Audrey, Mrs Baxter was able to spend more time in her studio, raising funds for charity through exhibitions at Duff House and in Aberdeen. In 1994, she was awarded an honorary degree from Aberdeen University for services to the community and to industry in Scotland.

Ena Baxter is survived by her daughter Audrey, her son Andrew and seven grandchildren. 

 
 
 
 
 
The article (famous people who died during 2015) and the photograph from The Times Business Section were kindly made available by Leslie Alexander.
 
  
 
 
 
 
  

Annual Magazine ’The School Road’ Published

The annual Magazine of the Gordon Schools’ Former Pupils’ Association has been published. There are over 50 pages of news and articles written by former pupils. To mark the 175th Anniversary of the founding of The Gordon Schools every member has received the Magazine free of charge, despite the high cost of postage. The Magazine is also on general sale to the public at Rizza’s and Dean’s, costing £5.

Magazine Committee members are pictured (L-R: Isabel McGregor (Vice-President), Nora Morrison (President), Mary McTavish (Secretary), Alison Brown and Ena Brown. Click on the link to view the article from ’The Huntly Express’: The School Road Huntly Express

 

 

Ebola Charity Worker Returns

For the past two years, Kate Aykroyd (25) has been working with the charity Save the Children. Most recently she has been deployed in Guinea in West Africa where the organisation has been at the forefront of tackling the devastating Ebola outbreak. Read more... Kate Aykroyd

 

 

175th Anniversary - Bequest of Grand Piano

At the recent launch of the book to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of The Gordon Schools, it was announced that the late George Donald had bequeathed his grand piano to The Gordon Schools. To read more about this event and the news of the bequest, please follow the links to the press cuttings:

Huntly Express: Anniversary Book: 2

Huntly Express: Anniversary Book: 1

 

Press & Journal: School’s 175th Year: 2

Press & Journal: School’s 175th Year: 1

 

 

  

Recent Graduations

Recent Graduations featured in ’The Huntly Express’ include Myles Cormack, Scott Law, Benjamin Mitchell and Lindsay Reid, Fiona Marshall, Hannah Ingram, Deborah May, Rosemary Pope, Euan Morrison, Annah MacLennan, Lynn Angus, Jayne Stuart. To see the newspaper articles and photographs please click on the links.

Benjamin Mitchell Lindsay Reid Myles Cormack Scott Law Fiona Marshall

 

Hannah Ingram Deborah May Rosemary PopeEuan J. Morrison

 

 Annah MacLennanLynn AngusJayne Stuart

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In addition, the following former pupils graduated from

North East Scotland College:

Lisa Mackie (HND Animal Care)
Angela Gordon (HNC Early Education & Childcare)
Chris Sutherland HND Coaching and Developing Sport)

Aberdeen University:

Fiona Fullerton (BSc Geography-Geoscience)
Genevieve Munro (Bachelor of Education)
Roisin Simpson (Divinity)

Robert Gordon University:

Richard Brown (BSc Quantity Surveying)
Andrew Chalmers (MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering)
Connor Dean (MEng Mechanical and Offshore Engineering)
Kim Emslie (BSc Applied Sports & Exercise Science)
Jade Esson (BA Photography)
Sean McWilliam (Bachelor of Design - Product Design)
Russell Morrison (BSc Computer Network Management and Design)
Bruce Sievewright (BSc Computer Science)

SRUC:

Emma Moore (BSc in Agriculture)
Hugh Ross (BSc in Agriculture)

Glasgow University:

Stephen Hamilton
(Huntly Express 18/09/15)

Moray College:

Please see the article in The Huntly Express for names. The Huntly Express (16/10/15)

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: GRADUATIONS ARE CONTINUED ON THE EVENTS PAGE (RIGHT-HAND COLUMN).

  

 

Teacher Remembered

’The Huntly Express’ on 22 August 2014 carried this article: "Former pupils of The Gordon Schools have paid a warm tribute to a popular former teacher who died last month. Andrew Crawford taught technical education in The Gordon Schools in the late 1950s and went on to study to be a maths teacher.

"Former pupils, including James Morrison, Keith Bowie, Nigel Grant, Brian Henderson, Colin Melvin, Francis Grant and Derek Mitchell recalled that Mr Crawford often spoke of his happy days at The Gordon Schools and friendly tussles on the golf ourse. Mr Crawford, who latterly lived in Fraserburgh, died on 16 July 2014 aged 86."

 

  175th Anniversary Parade 

As President of the Former Pupils’ Association, I am privileged to voice the congratulations of the Association to The Gordon Schools on the occasion of their 175th Anniversary. Our members look back with pride on our schools’ long record of progress, evident by the marked successes of so many of our former pupils at home and abroad. 

The school continues to maintain its fine traditions and on behalf of the Association, I send best wishes for the success of the coming celebrations and for the future progress and further development of our school.

The Parent Council of The Gordon Schools produced advice and information about the 175th Anniversary of the founding of The Gordon Schools and the Parade on Saturday, 29 March 2014. To read more about this, please go to: Parade Programme and Sponsors

News

 

 

Angela Shearer Awarded M.B.E.

Congratulations to former School Captain Angela Shearer on being awarded an M.B.E. in the 2013 2014 New Year Honours list, for her fund raising for Cancer Research through the highly succesful ’Relay for Life’. She has helped to organise a massive sum of money over the years through this. Anglea is a member of the department of Physical Education in Banff Academy.

To read newspaper articles about Angela, please go to:Press and Journal  Huntly Express 1  Huntly Express 2  Huntly Express 3  Banffshire Journal

  

 

Whole School Millennium Photograph

The whole school photograph taken in October 2000 to celebrate the Millennium involved all pupils and staff in the secondary department in The Gordon Schools. It can be seen in full on the Contacts page.

 

 

 Class of ’85 Reunion

A group of forty year olds went back to school recently for a reunion with their former classmates. Class of ’85 Reunion

 

George Donald

George Donald, who has died aged 79, was a brilliant Scottish pianist and a member of the famous ’Scotland the What?’ comedy team. He grew up in Huntly and was educated at The Gordon Schools. The ’Scotland the What?’ trio of George Donald, Steve Robertson and Buff Hardie were each awarded the M.B.E. in the Queen’s Honours List in 1995 and were given the Freedom of Aberdeen in 2008.

George Donald was principal guest at Prizegiving in 1998.
He is pictured here with Dux Medallist Ross Ives.
 

 

Tribute to Jean McBoyle

It is with deep sadness that we record the death of our Honorary Vice-President Mrs Jean McBoyle (Hunter). Jean passed away peacefully at her home on 3rd January 2013.

  

A former Dux of The Gordon Schools and whose affection for the school remained strong throughout her life, Jean worked tirelessly, efficiently and quietly on our behalf, (writes President of the Association Mrs Nora Morrison).

As secretary of the Association for 35 years (1973 to 2008), Jean steered the committee through good and bad times, helping to organise many reunions, including the highly successful 75th Anniversary Millennium Celebration in August 2000. Over the years she has collaborated with successive editors in producing and typing ’The School Road’, starting off on a manual typewriter in 1984.

Jean had a wealth of knowledge of Huntly and its inhabitants and would always find an answer to any query from our members.

Highly respected by all who knew her, Jean will be a great loss to our Association. We have lost a very dearly loved friend.

 

 

Photographs from School Shows

Photographs from a number of school shows have been scanned and added to the photographic section. These include 'The Wind in the Willows', 'The Wizard of Oz', 'Alice in Wonderland', 'The Snow Queen', 'Pinocchio', 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', 'The Princess and the Goblin', 'Sinbad' and the drama presentation at the relaunch of The Gordon Highlander's Museum.

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Guest book

Magazine 1 advert

The Former Pupils' Association welcomes contact. The contact section provides a convenient way to sign the Guestbook and make a comment.  Advice sent to the Association will be edited and placed on the Guestbook page.

Go to Guest Book

 

 

 

 

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Connor Fights for World's Best Plumber Title

Connor Cruden will face some of the best plumbers later this year in Germany, hoping to come out on top.

If you would like to read further details please see the following article published in The Huntly Express, 27/10/22

Service with a Smile

Long-serving dinner lady Judy Troup retires. She has seen many pupils and members of staff come and go during her twenty-eight years behind the counter and in the kitchen. We wish her a well-deserved rest and a happy and long retirement.

Also retiring is Caroline Raeburn after thirty-two years as cook at Forgue Primary School. Happy retirement, ladies.

For more information, please see the article by Pat Scott in The Huntly Express, 15/10/20

Apology for Error

George Philip apologises for his error on page 20 of his article in ‘The School Road‘ 2018. ‘Joan Brander‘ should read ‘Helen Brander‘.

Recent Deaths

The under-noted former pupils, including members of The Gordon Schools’ Former Pupils’ Association, passed away recently. We respectfully extend our condolences.
  
James Christie. Please see the obituary in The Huntly Express, dated 22/04/21.
John Penny
. John ‘Johnny’ Penny died on the 29th November, 2020, aged 85. He was ceaselessly proud of his Huntly birthplace and equally of his lifelong childhood pals.
After a brief time working for the Civil Service at the Chatham Dockyards, Johnny’s career was with different companies within John Wood Holdings Ltd. During this time he attained different directorships, concluding as Managing Director of the fishing division.
A caring man with a good heart, he was there for so many when needed. Idolised by his grandchildren and in turn by his great grandchildren.
Johnny is survived by his wife Shirley, son Keith and daughter Dawn, who must have visited nigh every cricket ground in the North of Scotland in pursuit of his sporting passion. Huntly Cricket Club.
Flt John A. Dickson, suddenly on Monday, April 4, 2019, at home in Salisbury, aged 82. Much loved husband, father and grandfather. A private cremation in Salisbury will be followed by a service of thanksgiving at Salisbury Cathedral at 2:30 on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
Mrs Carolyn Dean
, née Low, on February 23rd, 2019.
Gordon McTavish
, on Monday, January 21, 2019. Please see the obituary in The Huntly Express, dated 08/02/19.
Mrs Sandra Masson
, née Watt, on October 28th, 2018.
Gail Macleod
, née Cooper, on Monday, September 10, 2018.
Mrs Joan Georgel, née Watt, in August 2017.
Mr Iain G. Cameron
, on May 4th, 2018.
Lorna Cameron
, née Morrison, on March 1, 2018. For the obituary in The Huntly Express (dated 16/03/18), see here.
Dr Alexander Simpson
, South Africa, on March 21, 2016.
Mr John Scott on June 16, 2017.
Mr Alistair Wood on June 29, 2017.
Dr Hugh Brebner on September 10, 2017 - see details above and here.
Mr James Baird on September 19, 2017.
Mr Peter Smith on October 21, 2017.
Marie Wood
(Huntly). Very suddenly, with her family by her side, at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, on Friday, December 1, 2017, Marie Christine (née Esson), aged 57 years. Beloved wife of Charles, much loved mum of Charles and Samantha, dear mother-in-law to Kevin, devoted granny to Ava Rose and Daisy Mae, loving daughter of John and Mary and sister to Graeme. A celebration for the life of Marie was held at Moray Crematorium, Broadley, Buckie, on Monday, December 11.
John Scott peacefully at Roxburghe House on Friday, June 16, 2017, after a long illness, aged 76 years (late of Cockers Roses and Clydesdale Bank). Much loved dad of Gillian, dear brother of Margaret and the late Allan, and a good friend to many. The funeral service was held at Aberdeen Crematorium, Hazelhead (West Chapel), on Friday, June 23, at 11 a.m.
Alastair Wood
suddenly but peacefully, after a courageous battle, at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, on Thursday, June 29th, 2017, aged 75 years. Beloved husband of Edna (née Mearns), much loved dad of Fiona and Morag, dear father-in-law of Shaun, and adored grandad of Nicol, Evan and Oliver. The funeral service was held at Aberdeen Crematorium, Hazelhead (West Chapel), on Friday, July 7, at 1.15 p.m.
James William Baird
peacefully at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, aged 65 years, dearly loved husband of Barbara and loving dad to David and Heather. The funeral service took place at Moray Crematorium on Tuesday, September 26, at 11.30 a.m.
Sandy Simpson
of 15 Chapel Street, Huntly, passed away on 21 March 2016 in Capetown, South Africa, where he had been living for many years. He had been in frail care for some time, then had a massive stroke and did not recover from that. He was cremated in Cape Town and his ashes scattered in the lake area where he lived. (E-mail from Sheila McAllister, née Simpson, 3 August 2017)
Mrs Anne Howard (née Carnegie) died suddenly but peacefully at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, on Wednesday, November 30th, 2016, beloved wife of Niall and much-loved mum of Iain, Kevin and Andrew. The funeral service took place at Warriston Crematorium, Lorimer Chapel, Edinburgh, on Friday, December 16th.
Mrs Hilary P. Raycraft (née Selbie) died suddenly of a stroke on September 17, 2016, while on holiday near Toulouse. She is survived by her husband Nick and her son and daughter Ian and Catherine.
Mrs Isobel Law (née Scott) on November 5, 2016, aged 87 years.
Mrs Anna Morrison
(née Robertson) on October 26, 2016, aged 78 years.
Madaleine Jane Jones (née McBoyle) on February 8, 2016, aged 62 years.
Louisa (Lou) Morrison (née Murray), wife of the late Norman Murray, on April 1, 2016, aged 88 years.
Lottie Crawford, wife of the late Bob Crawford, on February 12, 2016.
Jean Watt, wife of the late Alec Watt, on February 15, 2016, in her 100th year.
Mrs Joan Gregson Miller on April 16th, 2014
Elizabeth (Betty) Duncan, wife of the late David Duncan, on July 18th, 2015, at Rothieden, Huntly - to read a tribute to Betty Duncan by her sister, Mrs M. Robertson, please click on the link.
Jean Thomson (née Robertson), wife of the late Reverend George Thomson (formerly of Strathbogie Kirk), on November 15th, 2015, at Borders General Hospital, Melrose
Harvey Stuart on November 20th, 2015, at Dufferin Care Center, Coquitlam B.C., Canada

 

Latest news

Honorary President

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George McIrvine - Obituary

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Notice in The Scotsman, September 14, 2017

The death was announced last week of Dr Hugh Brebner MD FRCP Glasgow and Edinburgh, Honorary Pres...

Read full text


Two Long-serving PE Teachers Retire

On Friday, July 3rd, 2015, the school bell sounded for the last time for Mr Graham Allardice and Mr Matt Donaldson. Mrs Diane Harper has been appointed to take over as head of Health and Wellbeing with responsibility for PE.

For details please see Pat Scott's article in The Huntly Express.

Home-Thoughts, from Abroad: Oh, to be in Huntly ...?

Former pupil John Paton Cummings - a rare glimpse into Huntly's past.

Please see Pat Scott's article in The Huntly Express (Friday, July 3rd, 2015).

 Prize Giving 2021


Alice Radford - Dux
Picture: The Gordon Schools on-line ceremony 2021

The Prize Giving ceremony of 2021 followed a pattern similar to 2020. Due to the continuing health crisis, the awards ceremony was again held virtually and may be viewed online. The William Will Prize for Dux of The Gordon Schools and the Former Pupils’ Association Medal for Dux of The Gordon Schools was awarded to Alice Radford. The Former Pupils’ Association Medal for the runner-up, Proxime Accessit, was awarded to Fiona Hutcheon.

To read the Huntly Express articles dated Thursday, July 08, 2021, please click here.

 Ex-Pupil Returns to School 

Rory Allardice has been appointed full-time PE teacher at Gordon Primary School.

For details, please see the article in The Huntly Express, dated September 18, 2015.

Former Pupils in the Local Press

From time to time, former pupils of The Gordon Schools feature in the local press. If you would like to know details, please click on the names below:

Deborah May, The Huntly Express, 18/03/21
Annie Lennox
, The Huntly Express, 23/07/20
Matilda Hailey
, The Huntly Express, 27/02/20
Connor Cruden
, The Huntly Express, 05/12/19
Jessica Brook
, The Huntly Express, 01/11/19
Oliver Newman
, The Huntly Express, 18/01/19
John "Hendo" Henderson
, The Huntly Express, 04/01/19, 15/03/19
James McCall Smith
, The Huntly Express, 04/01/19
Harry Nicholls
, The Huntly Express, 12/10/18
Jordan Thompson
, The Huntly Express, 04/05/18 and 02/11/18
Shaun Scott
, The Huntly Express, 19/01/18
Scott Duncan
, The Huntly Express, 25/08/17
Sheena Sharp
, The Huntly Express, 21/07/17
Lesley Sim, The Huntly Express, 23/06/17
Huntly Skiers
, The Huntly Express, 10/03/17
Iona Fyfe, The Huntly Express; click also on any of these dates: 10/03/17, 09/02/18, 16/03/18, 16/11/18, 22/03/19
Derek Lowe, The Huntly Express, 24/02/17 and 03/03/17
Huntly Skiers, The Huntly Express, 17/02/17
Andrew Musgrave
, The Huntly Express, 27/01/17
Andrew Musgrave
, The Huntly Express, 02/12/16
Ben Angus, The Huntly Express, 28/10/16
Stacey Robertson, The Huntly Express, 21/10/16
Shaun Scott
, The Huntly Express, 09/09/16
Aileen Watt (Duthie), The Huntly Express, 02/09/16
Michael Forsyth, The Huntly Express, 26/08/16
Lauren McAllen, The Huntly Express, 05/08/16
Shaun Scott, The Huntly Express, 05/08/16
Kirstie Gordon, The Huntly Express, 29/07/16
Senior Pupils - "Oldie" from 1993, The Huntly Express, 22/07/16
AndrewMaclean, The Huntly Express, 22/07/16
Aileen Watt (Duthie), The Huntly Express, 08/07/16
Iona Fyfe, The Huntly Express, 01/07/16
Iona Fyfe
, The Huntly Express, 10/06/16
Andrew Forrest, The Huntly Express, 03/06/16
Iona Fyfe
, The Huntly Express, 13/05/16
Michael Forsyth, The Huntly Express, 13/05/16
Tracey and Alannah Simpson, The Huntly Express, 13/05/16
Gillian Swarbrigg, The Huntly Express, 06/05/16
Charles Stewart, The Huntly Express, 22/04/16
Jenni and Nicola
(nee) Paul, The Huntly Express, 15/04/16
Neil Dawson, The Huntly Express, 15/04/16
Gary Raeburn, The Huntly Express, 15/04/16
Billy Dean, The Huntly Express, 15/04/16
Philip and Donald Morrison
, The Huntly Express, 11/03/16
(John Swan), The Huntly Express, 11/03/16
John Wink, The Huntly Express, 04/03/16
Vicky Dunbar
, The Huntly Express, 26/02/16
Shona Donaldson
, The Huntly Express, 19/02/16
Andrew Musgrave and Andrew Young, The Huntly Express, 19/02/16
Vicky Dunbar
 (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 29/01/16
Morven Swan
(now Gordon-Duff), The Huntly Express, 22/01/16
Kirsty Lovie
, The Huntly Express, 08/01/16
Andrew Young
, The Huntly Express, 08/01/16
Vicky Dunbar
, The Huntly Express, 25/12/15
Melissa Morrison, The Huntly Express, 18/12/15
Lauren Petrie, The Huntly Express, 18/12/15
Darren McGlone
, The Huntly Express, 11/12/15
James Paxton
, The Huntly Express, 11/12/15
Kirstie Gordon, The Huntly Express, 11/12/15
John Wink
, The Huntly Express, 04/12/15
Vicky Dunbar (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 27/11/15
Mary Moir
, The Huntly Express, 13/11/15
Barbara Anderson, The Huntly Express, 06/11/15
Vicky Dunbar (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 30/10/15
Calum Easton
, The Huntly Express, 23/10/15
Liam Ferguson
, The Huntly Express, 16/10/15
Guides 1986 at Haddo
, The Huntly Express, 16/10/15
Margaret Grant
, The Huntly Express, 16/10/15
Nicole Henderson, The Huntly Express, 16/10/15
Stuart Amory, The Huntly Express, 09/10/15
Gwyneth Petrie
, The Huntly Express, 09/10/15
Vicky Dunbar
 (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 02/10/15
Gary Raeburn
, The Huntly Express, 25/09/15
Barbara Anderson
, The Huntly Express, 18/09/15
1987 Guides at Haddo, The Huntly Express, 11/09/15
Gary Raeburn, The Huntly Express, 04/09/15
Vicky Dunbar (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 28/08/15
John Wink, The Huntly Express, 31/07/15
Mandy Sim, The Huntly Express, 31/07/15
Marie Matheson, The Huntly Express, 31/07/15
Vicky Dunbar (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 31/07/15
Alan Shearer et al., The Huntly Express, 31/07/15
Christina Mair, The Huntly Express, 24/07/15
Vicky Dunbar (Sandison), The Huntly Express, 03/07/15 

School’s Stained-glass Memorial Window Refurbished

The window on the landing half-way up to the "Bridge" has been repaired and made safe. To learn more, read Pat Scott’s article in The Huntly Express from Friday, November 6th, 2015. Please see also The Huntly Express, 21/12/18 and 04/01/19.

 

Olivia Achieves Long-nurtured Ambition

Picture: Lyn McDonald

 

After graduating from Glasgow University’s vet school, Olivia Busson joins the Strathbogie Veterinary Centre in Huntly as a permanent member.

See the article in The Huntly Express, dated 14/07/17.

 James Grant, Kennethmont

On Friday, November 6th, 2015, The Huntly Express reported the death of James Grant from Kennethmont, a former pupil of The Gordon Schools. Please see the obituary, dated 06/11/15.