Dunlop Primary celebrates 150 years!
Dunlop Primary School and the wider school community joined together recently to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The event was officially opened by Head Teacher Laura Kelly before the longest serving member of staff Miss Janice McCrae and the youngest pupil Eva, cut a beautiful cake featuring the school's mascot and their motto - Climb That Hill.
The children had been learning about Dunlop and wider historical events in preparation for the 150th anniversary. They learned about the buildings of Dunlop including Dunlop Kirk, past industries including weaving, they created prints of Dunlop buildings, and created examples of a new school badge to mark their 150th year.
They also created a digital tour of Dunlop and spent the last six weeks creating a memory book from local members of the community, past and present pupils and staff, which was available to view and purchase at their special celebration event.
Children from P7 also interviewed past pupils of the school creating a short film that all the invited guest and the community thoroughly enjoyed.
Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People attended with Depute Provost John McGhee, local member Councillor Ellen Freel and Robyn Davidson, Interim Assistant Director of Education. She said: "It was a real pleasure to visit Dunlop Primary to celebrate its 150th anniversary with members of the school and the wider community. We were warmly welcomed by the pupils and thoroughly enjoyed viewing their displays, including photographs and artefacts dating back to 1903.
"It is quite incredible to think that Dunlop Primary opened in 1876 after compulsory education became law in the UK. Back when Queen Victoria was on the throne and Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone and made the first ever phone call. Life has changed drastically since then, but what hasn't changed is that the school remains the heart of the community."
Head Teacher Laura Kelly said: "This was the last of our celebrations this year marking our 150th anniversary, which has also included a whole school photograph to mark this historic occasion and a picnic celebration earlier in the year. The afternoon was a huge success with many of our visitors commenting on how wonderful the event had been and how knowledgeable the children sharing information were.
"It was also the perfect opportunity to celebrate Miss McCrae who is retiring later this month and who worked so hard to make the event a success. She has dedicated 37 years to the children of Dunlop and has had a huge impact on hundreds of lives. We are all going to miss her terribly.
"I have felt huge pride and honour in being the Head Teacher leading such a wonderful school, working alongside great staff, pupils and families in it's 150th year."