The Post War Years

After the Second World War, in January 1946, The Primary Department had 424 pupils and the Secondary Department 204 and both had an attendance rate of around 90%.  For the first three months of that year the roll was steady but the primary roll shows an increase of 45 pupils in April 1946.  This was, presumably, due to an Easter intake of pupils of around that number.   It was at Easter 1946 that the Government announced the raising of the school leaving age to fifteen from 31^st March of the following year.  This was to have an impact on the secondary school roll with a whole cohort of pupils staying in education for an extra year.

In the post war period some modest improvements to the facilities at Miller were to take place.  The matters of telephones and clerkesses for schools were again given consideration by the Education Committee.  It was finally resolved, in 1945, that the school should ‘go on line’ and that a successful pupil from the Commercial Department be appointed for a period not exceeding two years to enable this pupil to gain experience in a work situation.  Additionally, in early 1946, it was seen desirable that the Science room be fitted with a power pack, an immersion heater installed in the Cookery room and a special light be placed in the Art room. The request for a motor mower was not met with quite the same generosity.  The Authority was only prepared to meet half the cost with the remainder being paid by the school.

While the new 1937 building had electricity supplied by the Thurso and District Electric Supply Company Limited the Science Room, Art Room, Cookery Room and Laundry did not and were lit by gas.  Subject to the approval of the Scottish Education Department it was decided that Messrs Munro and Tait of Wick should carry out the installation at a cost of £191 10s 10d.  The electricity was to be supplied at the same rate as for the main building by the Thurso and District Electric Supply Company.

Other work in and around the school at this time included repairs to the terrace, the rebuilding of the various boundary walls, the re-installation of boys’ and girls’ showers and some external and internal painting.  The showers had to be re-installed due to their removal for some unknown reason by the A.R. P. during the war.  It was only after a claim for damages that the work began and the claim made was not met in full be the Chief Constable who appeared to be the responsible authority with regards to the A. R. P.  The painting work was carried out by McLean and Cameron, Thurso whose estimate of £695 11s 8d for the work was over £1000 less than that submitted by George Johnstone, Elgin 

By 1947, the school heating system fired by coal was giving cause for concern though the boiler was only 10 years old. The removal of ash was also causing some difficulty as the present flight of steps and door to the boiler house did not exist. Ashes were carried up a flight of 15 steps leading into the school corridor for disposal.  This exit no longer exists and though the blocked exit in the boiler-room can be seen, the point of the entry to the school corridor has long disappeared.  

The County Architect was asked to report on the cost of converting to an oil system and to give a comparative statement on the cost of fuel consumption and upkeep of the plant.   The Architect’s report indicated the cost of boiler repair and maintenance and fuel costs to be slightly in favour of coal.  However, the Architect added, ‘The main advantage of oil is the convenience, cleanliness and general efficiency.  There is no ash removal, and the Janitor is relieved for other duties.  There is also the question of the continuing coal shortage.  I recommend your Committee to seriously consider the installation of this oil equipment.’  The Education Committee accepted the recommendation and resolved to overhaul the boiler and convert to oil. This did not happen as the permission for a change of fuel was repeatedly refused by the Scottish Education Department.  

In 1946, the Ministry of Fuel indicated that all their fuel oil supplies had been fully allocated until 1949 but during 1948 and 1949 applications with a view to installing oil when supplies became available still fell on deaf ears.  A series of repairs aimed at keeping the boiler going did little to help the school’s heating problem and it was clear that a new boiler would be required sooner rather than later.  This new installation by Alexander Sutherland Ltd, at a price of £399, having to take place in 1950 after engineers condemned the existing installation.  At this time a mechanical stoker was added to the system and this against the wishes of the Scottish Office where it was seen as an extravagant way of charging a boiler.  The stoker cost only very slightly less than the boiler to purchase and install.

Two oil  boilers were finally installed in the mid-1970s and though regularly serviced the boilers may be coming towards the end of their useful life.  The next system installed is likely to be similar to those in a number of Caithness schools, including nearby Mount Pleasant.  These are controlled by computerised telephone links from Inverness!  Big brother in the Highland Capital now being able to set the times and temperatures for this type of  heating system at a distance of 115 miles.  A slight concession to local choice at Mount Pleasant has been provided by way of an over-ride button for use when the school is leased in the evening to voluntary groups.

By the 1950s, it was becoming quite clear that a new school for secondary pupils was going to be necessary in short rather than the long term.  The continued effect of the post war ‘baby boom’ and the planned establishment of the fast reactor at Dounreay were the major factors in the need for a school on a new site.  By January 1957, the school roll had risen to 630 for the Primary Department and 380 for the Secondary department.  In February the increased roll resulted in extra cleaners being appointed for the additional classrooms and the Janitor was granted an increase in wages after strong backing from Mr Ironside.

A Memory Sheet returned by James (Hamish) Henderson, a pupil at the school from 1949 to 1952 and a teacher from 1958 to 1962, gives an interesting insight as a pupil and a teacher into the post war Miller.

Mr Henderson remembers the academic streams being on the top floor of the building and the non-academic streams, along with Commercial Subjects, below.  Some changes did take place towards the end of his period at the school with a feeling that the ‘academic types’ should have their vision widened by doing some Woodwork and some Art appreciation.  I get the impression from his memories that the Art was appreciated but not the Woodwork! 

Returning as a teacher, Hamish Henderson saw the school grow and develop and his experience widen.  His memories as a teacher are worth reproducing here as written by him.

‘I returned to the Miller in 1958, after a spell of work in Portobello, in the first year when the school became a primary school with John Dallas as Headmaster and Miss Anderson as Deputy Head. The roll was about 600 but rose to about 1230 with classes in every corner including Mina Villa, now demolished, in what is now the town Library, the old Science and Art block and the West Public.  It was then the biggest primary school in Scotland.  Classes stood around 45.  This was the period of the opening of Dounreay and the school was the only primary one in the town.  The members of staff, because of their numbers, formed one of the biggest units within the Caithness E.I.S.  Staff numbers increased and class sizes were reduced. There was a shortage of teachers. Though I had a PVII class, I was responsible for general discipline of all boys outwith the infant classes, running the football teams and, in summer term, the organisation of the school sports.

Apart from John Dallas there was one other man on the staff, a Mr David Constable, who was responsible for Art.  He was killed in a car accident within two years of his appointment.

The staff divided into two major groups – the old timers, who had been primary teachers during the war and those girls, who like myself had been pupils, went to college and returned without having been anywhere else.’

Also in his interesting recollections Mr Henderson pays tribute to his English Teacher, Bill Shurie, who inculcated an awareness of English Literature, lists all his teachers and makes reference to John Dallas’s old motor cycle and then the new Rover he bought to take him from Weydale to the school.  Hamish also notes that he got two of the belt from Mr Ironside for playing football on the top landing with a milk bottle.

This photograph of some of the school staff members was taken about 1950.  They are;-

Back Left – Right;  A. Bruce, D.K. Sutherland, G. MacLeod (Janitor), W. Laing.

Centre Left – Right;  C. Brown, W. Shurie, R. Bell, Mr Campbell, A. Meiklejohn, J. Dallas.

Front Left – Right;  Miss E. Duthie, Miss A. Dunnett, Miss J. Ryrie,  Miss MacKenzie, Mrs Stevens, Miss F. Dunnett, Mrs M. Sutherland.

As the pressure mounted for more and more teaching space a further extension was required.  This resulted in the erection, in 1952, of a new domestic science block between the main building and the road.  The cost of this block was estimated at £4182 3s 8d and was constructed by five main contractors.  The mason and joinery work was undertaken by D. M. Geddes (Watten), the plumbing by Alexander Sutherland Ltd (Thurso), the plasterwork by J. & W. Bailie (Wick), the electrical installation by R. Finlayson (Wick) and the paint work by McLean and Cameron (Thurso).

This block is mentioned, along with some other information about the Miller, in a town guide of about 1953.

‘At the top of Sinclair Street is an unusual type of building with a modest dome.  This is the Miller Institution or, as it is called nowadays, Miller Academy.  Erected and endowed in 1859 by Mr. Alexander Miller, it comprised a well-stocked library gifted by the Rev. Alexander Miller, D.D., of Buckie. In its early days it was run by the headmaster and an assistant.  The modern school has a staff of nearly 30.  The oldest part contains eight rooms and the library while nearby is another section of considerable age which houses the Art, Science and Domestic Science Departments.  A new Housewifery block has been erected in the grounds.  The newest part of the school is a modern structure of ten class-rooms apart from offices, staff and cloak rooms. Included under the name of Miller Academy and administered by the same headmaster is the West Public School in Castle Street.  It makes provision for six elementary classes.  The Academy caters for elementary pupils from the town and for secondary pupils from the western half of the county.’

The teacher most associated with the Domestic Science at Miller Academy was Anne Dunnett.  She is remembered with affection by a number of correspondents.  Margaret Stewart, though almost half a century left school, writes, ‘Still remember Miss A. Dunnett with affection.  She taught in a way a young person never forget – no press button cookery in those days!’    Margaret’s sister Moira, at school from 1939, was equally impressed by Anne Dunnett – ‘a wonderful teacher who could make cooking with even basic rations interesting, this was war time.’

The 1952 Domestic Science Block with Munro’s Building, now Bain and Gibson’s, in the background.

The 1952 block has since been used as a staffroom, a medical facility, a toy library, as the Learning Support Base in session 1998-99 due to lack of space in the other classroom areas and now as the Adult Education Department.  The block and the sewing teacher, Miss Gordon, are mentioned in one memory.  Miss Gordon is credited with the description of ‘hard taskmaster’ and I am sure she would have been happy to accept this description.  The pupil describes the knitting of a brown teddy which certainly turned out brown but did not much resemble a teddy.  The knitting was so slack, she observes that, ‘the stuffing kept falling out through the loopy stitches.’  The practice, encouraged by Miss Gordon, of running the needle through the hair to make it easier to slide while knitting was quickly abandoned by the correspondent when she stabbed her head!  I am sure many young knitters and sewers can identify with the problems of primary school homecraft and they must have many tales to tell of their experiences.

Mr Ironside retired in 1954, after thirty years in charge at Miller Academy, and a new Rector was appointed.  Donald Grant, a Thurso man employed in Edinburgh at George Heriot’s School for thirty years, obtained the post in the face of stiff competition from a large and experienced group of applicants.  The number considered for the post was first reduced to a long leet of fourteen and this was then reduced further to a final six to be called for interview.  The initial fourteen included Thurso teachers A. Meiklejohn, W. G. Shurie and D. Sutherland.  Mr Meiklejohn succeeded in reaching the short leet of six and was further included in a final group of three after voting on the basis of the interviews.  The other five candidates on the short leet were D. L. Cochrane from Elgin, R. Hartley from Glasgow and three Edinburgh teachers, J. Milligan, J. Sinclair and D. Grant.  In a series of close votes Mr Grant came out on top and Mr Cochrane was a close second.

Donald Grant’s appointment saw a number of changes in the first year of his Rectorship which might at first appear to be of minor importance but taken together with their impact on the ethos of the school they were noteworthy.  In September 1954, Mr Grant recommended to the Thurso School Management Committee the adoption of a School Uniform in the colours of Dark Blue and Gold.  He said that he had discussed the procurement of this uniform locally and that Budge’s in Traill Street were willing to take in supplies and to make a window display to show the new clothing to prospective customers.  The Committee approved of the suggestion and further backed Mr Grant the following spring when he suggested a school badge which would be worn on the breast pocket.  This badge to show St Peter of the Thurso Burgh and the Miller Academy in the background.  This was also taken up with enthusiasm and remained the badge of the school until replaced by a simplified version by Mrs MacCracken.  The new version, which is still in use, shows the old Miller Institution building in outline and has the words Miller Academy and 1862 around the drawing.

At about the same time the Rector intimated, to the Management Committee, that he felt the school should have a house system.  This appealed to the members and approval for its introduction was given.  The House names chosen were Pentland, Clett and Holburn and their names engraved on the fine house shield.  This house shield, no longer used returned from Thurso High School, hangs in the entrance hall of the main building and has a fine centre-piece showing the badge that Mr Grant introduced to the school.

Experience in practices current at George Heriot’s in Edinburgh probably lead Mr Grant to suggest that a ‘Prep’ class after school for pupils in lodgings should be introduced at Miller Academy.  This class, it was decided by the Education Authority, should go ahead but must be open to all pupils.  About fifty attended in the first term and they were split into two groups.  However, there were complaints that the pupils residing in the town, in both lodgings and at home, had an unfair advantage over country pupils who had difficulty attending the classes.  There was also a view held by some councillors that too much prolonged study was not in the best interests of students.  In view of these reservations the initiative which began in 1955 only lasted for one session.

Retired teacher, Elizabeth Manson from Scotscalder, was a pupil at Miller from 1953 to 1955.  She was one of the pupils who stayed in Thurso during the week as there was no transport from Scotscalder.  She says, ‘I stayed in Thurso during the week with a cousin of my mother.  In the first three months of 1955 there were some very bad snow-storms when not only were the roads blocked but also the trains.  As a result of this I did not get home for several week-ends and the country pupils did not get in to school for some days and exams had to be postponed.’ 

The year of the ‘Big Storm’, Janetta Christie says, ‘was a time never to be forgotten.’  To prove the truth of this statement she re-counts this time in her recollections. 

‘The normal school routine was completely disrupted.  The janitor had to dig a passage-way for us through the deep snow from the front gate, where the library is today, right up to the ‘new’ school door.  Many country pupils could not attend because of lack of transport.  Helicopters were flying overhead delivering emergency items – food, coal, etc. – to people out in the country districts.  Pupils who did manage to get in to school in the mornings could not always get home in the afternoons.  Some had to get accommodation in town.  One pupil, I remember, booked into the Pentland Hotel while others went home with their pals.  Half days were common during stormy weather.  Some days there would only be 6 or 7 pupils in a class.  Food became short even in the town.  One girl from the Castletown area was given 5/- to buy a good meal in town before returning home where there was scarcely any food left.  Not everyone had a telephone in those days so some country children could not contact their parents in an emergency.  One boy in our class lost his dad in a blizzard when he went out to hunt for his sheep.  I can remember how upsetting this was for us all.’

Miss Manson only remembers being punished by receiving a crack on the head with the ruler!  She does not state by whom but she does remember some of the teachers who she grew to respect and like.  She says, in response to a question regarding teachers who left an impression on her, ‘Mr Bruce, who taught maths must have left an impression – after all I have spent my life teaching the subject.  Actually the teacher I remember most vividly was Mr Shurie for whom I had great respect although he was quite strict.  Miss Isobel Milne came to Thurso in my last year and although she never taught me she was one of the first people I met in Wick High some four years later.’

Janetta Christie, a pupil from 1951 to 1957, tells of her apprehension when the new Rector, Mr Grant, arrived to take over.  However, she says, ‘It was not long before we knew we had the right man at the helm.  He was strict and fair and came to know each one of us as individuals and we came to like him.  The Miller Academy owes a lot to his excellent leadership.  In those days exam results did not arrive by post at the individual homes but “en masse” at the school where we, shaking nervously, would line up at the Rector’s door to hear our fate.  Mr Grant, always dressed formally in his black gown, would call is in one at a time, tell us our results, congratulate or commiserate with us and, later, suggest the way ahead.’

Also in a long and detailed memory of Miller Academy, Janetta tells that the classrooms were initially allocated according to the year of the pupils rather than by subject.  Teachers had to walk from room to room carrying all their requirements.  Later, it was decided it would make more sense to allocate particular rooms to the teachers.  This meant pupils were constantly on the move and teachers had all they required around them.  Elizabeth Sutherland was not too keen on this new arrangement and says so in her recollections.  She notes, ‘I liked the set-up of each form staying in its own principal room with teachers coming to us so that we each had our own permanent box desks where we could stow things.  Occasional forays to the interesting old Science/Art block and to Music and Gym took place.’

The coming of the Dounreay Nuclear Plant and the tripling of Thurso’s population in the mid-1950s put even greater pressure on Miller Academy.   At the start of the 1957–58 session, the last one when Primary and Secondary pupils would be taught together, the roll had hit an all time high.  The number of Primary pupils had reached 744 and the Secondary department 405.  However, the speed of rise in roll, particularly in the Primary Department is best seen in the figure for October 1957 where the number of pupils had increased by over 30 in less than three months.  Even after the opening of the new high school the rolls of both Thurso High School and the Miller Academy Primary School continued to climb quite dramatically and by April 1962, at the centenary of the school, the Primary roll was an astonishing 1,228 children.

The increase in traffic in the area, as well as the growth in pupil numbers,  became a worry for the Rector and the Management of the school.  It was noted that the new sites at Brownhill and Ormlie had greatly increased, even in the mid to late 1950s, the traffic flow on Princes Street.  New signs were requested, and eventually provided, outside the school gates to tell motorists of the existence and location of the school.  Parking was also exercising the minds of those concerned with safety as in addition to the increase in traffic from the residential sites there was an ever increasing number of vehicles in the area on sales days at the auction mart.  Cars and other vehicles were parking close to the school entrance on both sides of the street but causing a particular problem on the school entrance side.  The authorities were asked to ensure that parking was prohibited for 10 yards on either side of the gate pillars so that the view of passing traffic would not be restricted.

Little has changed in respect of the problems brought by the motor car.  The Auction Mart still causes some congestion, a new Funeral Parlour in Ormlie Lodge prompted Head Teacher Yvonne McCracken to question its establishment there on safety grounds and parents’ parking is still a cause for concern.  It is not uncommon to see cars stopping, and sometimes parking, for an unacceptable length of time on the yellow, zig-zag lines at both the Princes Street and Janet Street gates.

The question of pupil safety with regard to motor vehicles had been addressed some years earlier at the Davidson’s Lane entrance.  Concern was raised regarding the dangerous practice of children rushing out into Davidson’s Lane by the concealed entrance used by vehicles taking coal and other supplies in to Miller Academy.  Several near serious accidents were avoided only by the vigilance of drivers.  It was decided that a gate be put on the entrance and only opened when required for vehicular access.  The original main entrance gate was removed and new steps from the school level on either side of the entrance to pavement level were constructed.  Those changes, it was said, would give pupils and drivers a clear view and the entrance to the school itself would be much improved visually.   

The impact of the coming of the UKAEA to Thurso and some of the changes introduced by Mr Grant are referred to in the 1954-55 inspection report.  The report, though relatively short, gives an insight into the type of school that existed at the start this period of great change for Thurso and its educational provision. 

‘THURSO MILLER INSTITUTION’

Session 1954-55

In spite of the addition of a new homecraft building and alterations to existing buildings, accommodation has been taxed.  The erection in the near future of some 350 houses in Thurso in connection with the atomic station at Dounreay creates new demands and the Education Authority is planning a new secondary school.  Consideration is also being given to the provision of accommodation for primary pupils and for better facilities.

Mr T. G. Ironside, M.A., B.Sc., retired in April, 1954, after almost 30 years’ service as rector of the school.  He has been succeeded by Mr D Grant, M.A., formerly principal teacher of mathematics in George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh.

Primary Department

Standards of work were, in most respects, satisfactory.  Steady progress has been made in reading, spelling and arithmetic, knowledge of history and geography was in general good, and recitation and handwriting in several classes were very credible.

Among matters discussed with the Headmaster and teachers were –

(1)    Methods of teaching reading in the infants classes;

(2)    The development of studying reading and the more extensive use of graded English exercises in senior classes;

(3)    More oral and blackboard instruction in methods of solving arithmetical problems;  and

(4)    The use of time charts in the teaching of history.

Secondary Department

In English, history, geography, mathematics, science, commercial subjects and homecraft there was evidence of much steady work on good lines.  There had been some interruptions in the teaching of Latin this session but attainments were reasonably satisfactory.  Under new principal teachers, the modern languages and music departments promised well.  Changes of teacher had unsettled the art department but attainments were creditable.  The appointment of an additional teacher in technical subjects and of a woman specialist in physical education has enabled work to proceed more satisfactorily in these two departments.

Matters discussed with the Rector and teachers concerned included –

(i)        The development of appropriate courses for the less able pupils;

(ii)      the nature and scope in certain subjects of the examination papers for pupils following a three-year course;  and

(iii)    The use of group methods, particularly in Classes SI and SII.

In addition to the normal academic courses the school provides three-year courses in commercial subjects, technical subjects and homecraft, but has not as yet any course in rural subjects, although this is mainly an agricultural community.  The school is well organised, but the large numbers in each of the first year classes and in the class SIICT have made it difficult to give adequate attention to the slower pupils in these classes.  It is regrettable that so few boys remain to complete the Scottish Leaving certificate course.

The introduction of a house system in sports and the encouragement given to pupils to wear the school uniform and the badge are signs of the efforts being made to develop a good tone.  The interest taken in civics and in the current affairs of the district and the increase in extra-curricular musical activities are commended.

Contacts with the officials of the Atomic Energy Commission have been cordial and pupils found conducted tours of the Atomic Energy Exhibition interesting.  These beginnings augur well for the cordiality of future relations between the school and this important new development in the district.’

As the school roll soared it was necessary to extend the school’s capacity until a more suitable solution could be found.  The solution was to be the building of a new secondary school to be called Thurso High School.  However, in May 1957, a special meeting of the Education Committee was called after it was realised that there would be an acute shortage of education accommodation in Thurso even after the opening of this new secondary school.  By 1958, the UKAEA expected to have 450 houses occupied with new sites planned at Mount Vernon and Pennyland.  In a parliamentary statement, a planned staff of 2500 at Dounreay was indicated comprising 900 local employees and 1600 imported staff.  Between 1954 and 1957 the number of school age children had risen from 800 to over 1000 and the new staffing figures suggested an even greater increase over the coming decade.

During her final two years at the Miller, in 1956 and 1957, Janetta Christie saw many new pupils arrive at the school and new activities take place.  ‘It was interesting for us to meet pupils from other areas’, she says.  We had two very clever pupils join our class, Moira McLaren and Roy Veitch.  They were here for several years before moving south again.  An exhibition was held in the Town Hall explaining to local folk what the Dounreay plant was all about.  At the school we were encouraged to attend and find out about “Atomic Energy.”  I remember seeing some of our former pupils dressed in white coats, looking very important and welcoming us at the entrance to the main hall.  When one, George Munro, asked me if I had a luminous dial, I thought he was being rather impertinent and, ignoring him, walked right into the exhibition.  Only then did I realise it was my watch, not my face, which George was going to pass a Geiger Counter over to show the reaction.’

It had at first been thought that the new secondary school and the adaptation of accommodation at the Miller Academy and the West Public would suffice for both secondary and primary needs.  This was now proving to be unlikely and the Scottish Education Department was suggesting a new two stream primary school on the Pennyland estate and six demountable classrooms at Miller Academy as a first step to creating space for the upsurge in pupil numbers.  Another primary school would be required later and, of course, in 1966 this opened at Mount Pleasant.

The local authority was not just concerned by the lack of accommodation.  Funding was also causing worry but despite strong representations to the Scottish Education Department regarding the costs involved in building a new secondary school, the new primary school, a technical college and the provision of demountable classrooms, the maximum support that was forthcoming was an 85% grant.

The final prize giving for Miller Academy, held on Friday 4^th July 1958, was an important event in the life of the school and the report from the John O’ Groat Journal of 11^th July 1958 is worth reproducing in full.  It is also worth noting that twenty five years later in the ‘Groat’ of 1983 in the ‘from our old files’ column it was reported that the new High School had cost £300,000 and included a beautiful library.  Unfortunately it would appear that there were no books in it and so the Caithness Education Committee agreed to give a grant of £500 towards the cost of providing a stock of books and in the meantime a number of books would be loaned by Miller Academy.

 SPECIAL OCCASION AT THURSO

 MILLER ACADEMY WILL CHANGE

ITS STATUS

“This is indeed a special occasion: it is the last time that the secondary and primary departments meet to­gether as one school,” said Mr Donald Grant, rector at the prize-giving ceremony at Thurso Miller Academy on Friday.  Next session, with Mr Grant as rector, the town’s secondary school will be the High School which is nearing completion at Ormlie, and Miller Academy will be a primary school, with Mr John Dallas a mem­ber of the Academy staff, hitherto, as Headmaster. 

In his report on the session, Mr Grant stated that the number of pupils on the Thurso rolls had reached over 1300, and that the session had been in many respects a difficult one. Difficulties arising from over-sized classes had. been eased by the erection of six demount­able class-rooms.

Continuing, he thanked the staff for their co-operation; expressed the hope that two members of it, Miss Grant and Mr D. K. Sutherland, who had been off ill, would soon he restored to full health; and paid tribute to the work of two teachers who were retiring — Miss A. B. Sin­clair (after 43 years’ service on the staff) and Miss I. Cormack (after 42 years).

“They have, truly, a wonderful record of service,” he said, “and we owe them a deep debt of gratitude for their wholehearted and compe­tent work.”

Sports

Referring to school sports activi­ties, he mentioned that these had included inter-house games; matches with Halkirk and Castletown Schools and hockey and rugby matches with Dounreay.  A hockey match be­tween the Academy staff and pupils had resulted in “a very narrow win for the pupils.” “I am told,” he added, amid laughter, “that this was the staff’s first defeat. Their record now reads: Played, one; lost, one.”

Dounreay, Mr Grant said, had ful­filled its promise of providing oppor­tunities for young people leaving school.

“I must mention” he proceeded, “our sale of work (a report was given in our last issue). It was really a magnificent effort . . . it raised £283.  To all those who gave it sup­port we tender our most sincere thanks.”

Saying that there was a very fine, but, so far, empty library in the new school, Mr Grant suggested that any who wished to take a practical in­terest in the High School might con­sider donating a book (which would be inscribed) or a subscription for a periodical.

Wishing the pupils a happy vaca­tion, Mr Grant concluded; “Forget all about school—you will not find that hard — and,. when you do return, return refreshed.”

Tribute

Mr Walter Sinclair, chairman of Caithness Education Committee, and Thurso District Education Sub-Committee, who presided, welcomed parents and friends, and said that he was pleased to see such large turn-out.  Miller Academy, he mentioned, had been in existence since 1862 and had a very good record for the pupils it had produced.

Wishing Miss A. B. Sinclair and Miss I. Cormack (they were in the platform party) health and happiness in their retirement, Mr Sinclair spoke of the excellent services rendered by them to the town.  Unlike Miss Cormack (Miss Cormack is a Thurso magistrate), Miss Sinclair had not taken a seat on Thurso Town Council, “but,” he added, “you never know now what will happen.’  He also wished Mr Dallas every success as Headmaster of Miller Academy.

“I would like to make a comment on the smart appearance of the children,” he went on.  “They are a credit to their parents and guardians.  I am safe to say you don’t see smarter dressed children in Scotland.”

In a closing word on accommodation, Mr Sinclair told parents; “Don’t be afraid to send your child­ren to school, there will be ample accommodation.”

Value of Education

‘Dr W. I. A. Fell, Thurso, was the guest speaker.  He pointed out, amid laughter, that just below his name as guest speaker on the ‘programme were the words in inverted commas, I wonder why. (The next item on the programme was the choral piece “I wonder why?” by the Academy choir).

Dr Fell said that he could not stress too much the value of educat­ion. “You should remain at school as long as possible,” he told the pupils.   Some, he went on were just wait­ing for the day when they could leave school. They thought that they had learned all they needed to know, whereas they had learned all they wanted to know—a different kettle of fish. Later, some of these might want to take up studies again, but it was awfully difficult to get back into the ways of studying.  “Stick to your studies,” he advised. “You will reap the benefit later on.”  Concluding, Dr Fell said: “I want you to promise me one thing: that during your holidays you will forget that school exists.”

Other Speakers

County Councillor J. Abrach Mac­kay, Castletown, and Provost John Sinclair, Thurso (both of whom spoke by invitation of the chairman), con­gratulated the school on its excellent achievements, and wished the pupils a jolly good holiday break.

Before calling on Mrs Fell to pre­sent the prizes (earlier, she had pre­sented the prizes at the prize-giving ceremony in the West Public School), the chairman congratulated the Academy Dux, Mary Munro, and the other prize-winners.

After Mrs Fell had handed over the awards, Mary Munro presented her with a box of chocolates.

The Rector and Mr Sinclair moved the votes of thanks.

The Academy choir under Mr Gavin B. Lafferty, and with Sheila Murray at the piano, very sweetly sang two pieces: “I Vow to Thee My Country” and “I Wonder Why.”

The proceedings opened with the singing of the 23rd Psalm.  Then Rev. Neil Taylor offered prayer.  At the end, after the gathering had joined in singing a hymn, Captain John Nicholson, Salvation Army, pronounced the benediction.

PRIZE LIST

Class Ic — Andrew Booth, Stewart Jamieson, Paul Kitchen, Ronald Matheson, Allison Mackay, Robert Parry, Violet Reid and Don. Sinclair.

Class Ib— Emma C. Campbell, William E. Child, Kirsten A. G. Davidson, Vivien C. Ford, Robert A. Highet, Elizabeth A. C. McEwen, James C. Morrison, Barbara A. Newman, Gilbert D. Robertson and Helen E. Welch.

Class Ia—Kathryn Allen, Jean Batty,  Andrew Brown, Bernard Campbell, Keith Douglas, Elizabeth Kemp, Nicholas Pat­terson, Ann Pritchard, Neil Sinclair, Jill Smith, Carol Spence. and Carol Suther­land.

Class IIc—David Evendon and Peter Mackay.

Class IIb—Philip Brown, James Craw­ford, Andrew Duff, Alistair Mackenzie and Rowena Watson.

Class IIa2—David Blake, Peter Welch, Rita Thomson, Vivien Broadley, Mary Birnie, Susan Foster, Valerie Hewison and Christine Boss.

Class IIa1—Sheila Chisholm, Georgina Fraser, Diana Holmes, Gary Mascall, Helen Milne, Joan Mowatt, Robin Patterson and Lisa Reynolds.

Class VIIa—1. Elaine Henderson; 2. Janis B. Gunn; 3. Rosaleen M. Fell. Attainment — Donald C. Shepherd and Sandra E. Murray.

Class IIIc—Walter Duff.

Class IIIb—1, David Adams; 2. John Millar; 3. Isobel Mackay. Attainment— Evan Sutherland; Special—Catherine Garrioch.

Class IIIa — 1. Judith Newman; 2, George Ross; 3 (equal), Morag Gray and Brian Spence. Attainment — John Fraser.

Class IVc — Wilfred B. Thomson.

Class IVb  — 1. William Ferrier; 2. Alli­son, Imlach; 3. Alan Parkinson.

Class IVa2—1. Susan Brookes; 2. Hugh McVey; 3. Sylvia McLean. Attainment — Robert Maitland and David Anthoney. Special—Carol Fenelon.    

Class IVa1—1. Elspet Chapman; 2. David Jordison; 3. Glynis Owen. Attain­ment—Jean Thomson and George Sin­clair.

Class Vc— Elizabeth Bain.

Class Vb—1. David S. Calder; 2. John W. F. Spencer. Attainment — James Work and Allan J. Clasper.

Class Va2 — 1. Ian M. Sinclair; 2. James Groat; 3. Linda M. Weadon. Attainment—Dianne Jenkins and Chris­tine Taylor. Special—Robert A. Manson.

Class Va1—1. Heather B. Mackenzie; 2. Peter J. Ingrain; 3. Rhona Murray. Attainment—Alan Chisholm. Special—David Jenkins.

Class VIc—David Kerry and Anthony Sinclair (equal)

Class VIb—1. Douglas Crawford; 2. Charles Disbury: 3. Ann Beveridge. Attainment—Irvine Smith and Maureen Farquhar.

Class VIa—1. Helen Reid: 2. Eleanor Ross; 3. Christine Lunney. Attainment—Donald Ross, Lydia Fell and Hazel Banks. Special Bible Prizes — Helen Reid and Duncan Reynolds.

Class VIIc—1. Isobell D. S. Harper and Sandra Clubb (equal).

Class VIIb—1. Colin Gray; 2. John Taylor; 3(equal). Brian Jenkins and Sandra Crossan. Attainment — Sheila Black.

Class IT2—Prize awarded to George Adams.

Class ITl—1. Andrew R. Thomson; 2. George Gunn; 3. Owen Millar; 4. John Campbell.  Special—Gina Sinclair.

Class Ic—1. Lorna Murray; 2. Hamish Paterson;  3. Mary Sinclair;  4. Kathleen Macdonald.

Class Ia—1. Patricia Gordon; 2. Ian Ross; 3 (equal). Carolyn Phillips and Lauraine Tottle; 5. Elizabeth Falconer; 6. Hugh Mackay.

Class IIT2—1. Elizabeth Sinclair.

Class IIT1— 1. David Sinclair; 2. Heather Sinclair; 3. David Peck; 4. Murray Macleod.

Class IIc—1. Nina Meiklejohn; 2. Barbara Downie; 3. Stella Jamieson; 4. Sheila Miller.

Class IIa—1. Judith Service; 2. Marjory Bannerman; 3. Norma Wares; 4. Gretta Nicolson. Special— Katherine Dougal.

Class lIIT—Ann Black.

Class IIIc—1. Christine Noble; 2. Mary Eliz. Duncan;  3. Pamela Macdonald.

Class IIIa—1. Ross Taylor; 2. William Wilson; 3. David Farquhar; 4. Jean Crawford.

SPECIAL PRIZES

Art—1^st Year—Dennis Gunn (IT2) 2nd Year—John Pollock (IIa); 3rd Year—Allan Robinson (IIIc).

Commercial—1st Year — Lorna Mur­ray (Ic); 2nd Year—Barbara Downie (IIc); 3rd Year—Christine Noble (IIIc).

Technical—1st Year—John Campbell (IT1); 2nd Year — Gordon Simpson (IIT1); 3rd Year — Allan Robinson (IIIc).

Homecraft—1st Year—Gena Sinclair (IT1) and Irene Simpson (Ic); 2nd Year—Jennifer Cormack (IIT1) and Sandra Lindsay (IIc).

Caithness History — Elizabeth Camp­bell (IIa).

Dux of Third Year (Mr Walter Sin­clair’s Prize)—Ross Taylor.

Councillor Mackenzie Memorial Prize in English—Ross Taylor.

Class IV—1. Arthur Mather; 2. Chris­topher McCleary; 3. Gordon Mackenzie; 4. Donald S. Manson. Special—Frances Andrew.

Class V—1.  Mary Munro; 2. Dorothy Wood; 3. Sylvia Smith; 4. Sheila Murray.

William Keith Tait Memorial Prize in English—Mary Munro.

Councillor Mackenzie Memorial Prize in Literature—Mary Munro.

Rector’s Prize in History — Mary Munro.

Ulbster Prize in Mathematics—David Crowe.

Ulbster Prize In Science — David Crowe.

Isobel Chalmers Memorial Prize in Science—David Crowe.

Canon Walker Memorial Prize in Latin—Mary Munro.

Ulbster Prize in Modern Languages— Mary Munro.

Miller Medal—Dux of School — Mary Munro.

Inter-House competition (Scrabster Shield)—Holborn House.

The Dux for that year Mary Munro, now Mrs Lyall, taught in Miller Academy and Thurso High School before taking early retirement.  She has recently carried out Supply Teaching work in both of these schools.

In the same issue of the John O’ Groat Journal a report is carried on the retiral from teaching of magistrate and the only lady Provost of Thurso, Isabella Cormack and of teaching colleague Miss Annie B. Sinclair.  Between them, it reports, they had eighty six years in teaching with Miss Cormack serving for over 43 years, starting in Shetland, and Miss Sinclair, whose first post was in Golspie, for over 42 years.  Rector Donald Grant handed over a wallet of notes to each lady and thanked them for their many years of faithful service to the school and the community.  On behalf of their colleagues he wished them a long and happy retirement.  Miss Cormack and Miss Sinclair, having thanked the Rector and staff for the gifts, joined the company for a tea arranged by the Homecraft Department.

Here are two post war groups from the period when the Miller Academy was still the town’s secondary school.  The 1948-49 Class V and a group from 1953 Coronation year.

Back Row:  Ann Wilson, Emily Swanson, John Manson, Robert Innes, Andrew Sinclair, Jaye Mackay,

Wilma Morrison.

Front Row:  Jean Parker, Rena Gibson, Jean Alexander, Elva Elder, June Murray.

Back Row:  William Manson, Sandy Cowan, Stuart Coghill, William Sutherland, Morgan Jenkins, James Gardiner.

Middle Row:  Myra Baikie, Joan Kennedy, Jean Campbell, Anne Baikie, Hughine MacKenzie, Adrienne Cooke, Joyce Ross, Anne Ross, Helen McIntosh.

Front Row:  Margaret Fell, Anne Mackay, Helen Sutherland, Margaret (Goldie) Gunn, Agnes Custer, Anne Lyall, Elizabeth Sutherland.