Relive your schooldays at Newbattle’s memorabilia exhibition

Thursday April 5th 2018

Newbattle High School Memorabilia

From left to right are Dylan Waugh, Heather Ramsay, Sean McGill, Andrew Muir and Eli-Anna Allan.

Senior pupils at Newbattle Community High School gladly gave up part of their Easter break to tackle a mountain of memorabilia for an upcoming exhibition.

Heather Ramsay, S6, Eli-Anna Allan, S4, Dylan Waugh, S5, Andrew Muir, S5, and Sean McGill, S6, sifted through artefacts including old notebooks, artwork and sports shields, to help choose items to display.

Former head teacher Colin Taylor, who is helping with the opening and closing events for the current school and new campus, said: “We want as many local people as possible to come along between 4.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 April.

“Staff and pupils have found hundreds of great items to put on show that are going to bring back hopefully happy memories for former and current pupils, staff and the wider community.

“It will be a great chance to have a last look round the old building before it closes in June, marking the end in an important chapter in the building’s history. We’re looking forward to welcoming anyone that wants to come along, even if they didn’t attend the school.”

As well as the exhibition and tours of the building, local people are also invited to a dance showcase between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday 24 April. Tickets are available at the school office.

There will also be a ‘Thanks for the Memories’ music, arts and media showcase from 7pm to 8pm on Wednesday 25 April. No tickets are needed. Just come along on the night.

The events are fitting tributes to the school and its history. The current building opened in 1969. In June, it will close and the pupils and staff will move to the new facility at Newbattle Community Campus nearby.

The first school recorded in the area was the parish school at Crawlees, built in 1835 to serve the first colliery houses at Newton Grange (as it was known then). In 1849, this school was replaced by Newton Grange Colliery Schools. However, both of these schools closed in 1893 when the Newbattle Public School opened at what is now Newbattle Community Education Centre.

The original bell from this school is still on display in the current foyer. In 1925, after other primary schools had opened over the years, the school became purely for secondary pupils.

Mr Taylor said: “We’re really looking forward to marking the end of this era while looking forward to moving into our new, state-of-the-art building. The school will work with our sport and leisure, library and catering partners to provide high quality, lifelong learning and leisure opportunities. The campus will open as a Digital Centre of Excellence providing world-class facilities for pupils, staff, parents, carers and the wider community.”

The free memorabilia exhibition and tour is on between 4.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday 24 April and Wednesday 25 April at the current Newbattle Community High School.

The dance showcase is on Tuesday 24 April from 7pm. Tickets can be bought from the school office.

The music, arts and media showcase is on Wednesday 25 April from 7pm. No ticket is required.

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