Dundee PE teacher has taught at Craigie High for 36 years - now she's saying goodbye to closing school
Few people know Craigie High School better than Mary Johnstone.
The principal PE teacher has taught at the Dundee secondary for 36 years.
So its closure at the end of this month will really be the end of an era for her.
She was joined by pupils Ava Hamilton and Eden Rihoy as she shared her memories of the school in its final days and spoke of the move to Greenfield Academy.
Mrs J, as she is known, will go with pupils and fellow staff to the new school at Drumgeith Community Campus with Braeview Academy in August.
And she says the reality of Craigie High closure is beginning to dawn on staff and pupils as they start packing up for the big move.
She says: 'It's a great school to work in, it always has been. I think that's why I've been here so long!'
'The kids are great, the staff are great; you couldn't ask for more to be honest.
'We'll miss it because it's a very small school and you know everyone.
'But Craigie has had its day as you would say.'
The building is now in poor condition.
But Craigie High School's opening in 1970 was an exciting moment.
Built at a cost of £935,000 – a fraction of the £100 million spent on Greenfield Academy and Drumgeith Community Campus – it was Dundee's first purpose-built comprehensive.
Mary, 67, joined 19 years later.
'It was challenging then,' she says. 'We've come a long way from those days; the ethos in the school has really changed.
'We're very close. We look after one another, year groups look after year groups.
'We're a really nurturing school now.'
As PE teacher, Mary has led sporting success over the years, including at Dundee schools athletic championships and in volleyball and water polo.
She has also enjoyed school trips including to Austria and France.
And she's onto her third generation of pupils.
'I have grannies coming to parents night now who came here!'
She enjoys meeting former pupils out and about.
'You see lots of them in the town. I'll always get a call from someone saying 'Hi, Mrs Johnstone, or Mrs J'
'It's good to see how they've grown, and that they've got families.'
There will be plenty of new pupils to meet at Greenfield Academy with Craigie and Braeview merging.
And, having seen part of the new building and grounds, Mary is excited about the new environment.
'It is absolutely fantastic,' she says. 'The PE facilities are out of this world.
'It will be fantastic for the pupils.'
Eden is also excited about the school – particularly its dance studio.
'That's part of the reason I stayed onto sixth year,' she says.
Eden is Craigie's dance captain, having joined the team in S2.
She has competed in the Dundee schools dance competition. She particularly enjoyed doing a burlesque number and this year's performance to One Night Only from the Dreamgirls musical.
A highlight of fellow new S6 pupil Ava's time at Craigie has been the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme.
She is trained to mentor her younger peers to challenge gender-based violence, bullying and other abuse.
This, she reckons, will help pupils as they move into the bigger, new school.
'It was a good way for a lot of people to be more confident,' she says, 'and it was a good opportunity for the seniors to build close bonds with the younger years.
'I think it will help them going up knowing they have that friendly face in S6.
'There's a team of us that they all know that they can go to if they are struggling or lost, and I think that will put people more at ease going into such a big school.'
The reality of Craigie High closure in the summer holidays will, Ava reckons, hit her fellow pupils in the coming days.
'I think it will be a good opportunity to make new friends,' she says.
Eden has enjoyed her five years at Craigie.
'I actually really like this school,' she says. 'Some people have different opinions on it but I've had so many opportunities to do things I would never thought I'd be able to.
'It's quite a small school and the teachers know us.'
'It is a real community, ' adds Mary.
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The Courier
19 hours ago
- The Courier
Dundee PE teacher has taught at Craigie High for 36 years - now she's saying goodbye to closing school
Few people know Craigie High School better than Mary Johnstone. The principal PE teacher has taught at the Dundee secondary for 36 years. So its closure at the end of this month will really be the end of an era for her. She was joined by pupils Ava Hamilton and Eden Rihoy as she shared her memories of the school in its final days and spoke of the move to Greenfield Academy. Mrs J, as she is known, will go with pupils and fellow staff to the new school at Drumgeith Community Campus with Braeview Academy in August. And she says the reality of Craigie High closure is beginning to dawn on staff and pupils as they start packing up for the big move. She says: 'It's a great school to work in, it always has been. I think that's why I've been here so long!' 'The kids are great, the staff are great; you couldn't ask for more to be honest. 'We'll miss it because it's a very small school and you know everyone. 'But Craigie has had its day as you would say.' The building is now in poor condition. But Craigie High School's opening in 1970 was an exciting moment. Built at a cost of £935,000 – a fraction of the £100 million spent on Greenfield Academy and Drumgeith Community Campus – it was Dundee's first purpose-built comprehensive. Mary, 67, joined 19 years later. 'It was challenging then,' she says. 'We've come a long way from those days; the ethos in the school has really changed. 'We're very close. We look after one another, year groups look after year groups. 'We're a really nurturing school now.' As PE teacher, Mary has led sporting success over the years, including at Dundee schools athletic championships and in volleyball and water polo. She has also enjoyed school trips including to Austria and France. And she's onto her third generation of pupils. 'I have grannies coming to parents night now who came here!' She enjoys meeting former pupils out and about. 'You see lots of them in the town. I'll always get a call from someone saying 'Hi, Mrs Johnstone, or Mrs J' 'It's good to see how they've grown, and that they've got families.' There will be plenty of new pupils to meet at Greenfield Academy with Craigie and Braeview merging. And, having seen part of the new building and grounds, Mary is excited about the new environment. 'It is absolutely fantastic,' she says. 'The PE facilities are out of this world. 'It will be fantastic for the pupils.' Eden is also excited about the school – particularly its dance studio. 'That's part of the reason I stayed onto sixth year,' she says. Eden is Craigie's dance captain, having joined the team in S2. She has competed in the Dundee schools dance competition. She particularly enjoyed doing a burlesque number and this year's performance to One Night Only from the Dreamgirls musical. A highlight of fellow new S6 pupil Ava's time at Craigie has been the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme. She is trained to mentor her younger peers to challenge gender-based violence, bullying and other abuse. This, she reckons, will help pupils as they move into the bigger, new school. 'It was a good way for a lot of people to be more confident,' she says, 'and it was a good opportunity for the seniors to build close bonds with the younger years. 'I think it will help them going up knowing they have that friendly face in S6. 'There's a team of us that they all know that they can go to if they are struggling or lost, and I think that will put people more at ease going into such a big school.' The reality of Craigie High closure in the summer holidays will, Ava reckons, hit her fellow pupils in the coming days. 'I think it will be a good opportunity to make new friends,' she says. Eden has enjoyed her five years at Craigie. 'I actually really like this school,' she says. 'Some people have different opinions on it but I've had so many opportunities to do things I would never thought I'd be able to. 'It's quite a small school and the teachers know us.' 'It is a real community, ' adds Mary.
The Courier
3 days ago
- The Courier
Tossing cabers and chasing kilts at Perthshire's Atholl Gathering
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Our daughter Lily, eagle-eyed for anything inflatable, immediately clocked the bouncy castle. But first: the arena. A large flat expanse with a gently sloping hill to one side gave everyone a perfect view, and the white glimmer of Blair Castle peeked through the trees. Bagpipes filled the air as solo pipers competed nearby – one of many ongoing contests throughout the day. Having missed out on lunch from the Seafood Bothy (note to self: bring cash next year), we grabbed burgers and fries. Lily devoured her cheeseburger with gusto before dragging us, finally, to the fairground – bouncy castle, inflatable slide, and carousel were all tested thoroughly. One of the day's most impressive spectacles was the opening ceremony, marked by the firing of a cannon by the Atholl Highlanders. Lily, having confidently claimed she wouldn't jump at the bang, did – of course – jump. Then came the massed pipes and drums, marching in formation, a stirring, goosebump-inducing moment. 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After missing the starting gun (chatting to a steward in a kilt – understandable distraction), I joined the race, overtaken by 30-somethings as I gasped my way to the finish. But I crossed it – proudly, breathlessly – earning Lily's applause and a valuable parenting win: showing up and joining in. Between the races, we stopped for coffee and churros, watched the Highland dancers on a nearby stage, and later, sought out our own little patch of grass for our own family races so Lily could win (every time). Before heading home, we wandered up to the Hercules Garden, a beautifully restored 18th-century walled garden with ornamental bridges, lily ponds, and classical statues. Once abandoned, it was brought back to life in the 20th century. As we explored, Lupins in full bloom, Lily – still riding high on our foraging tour from a previous visit – tried to eat every plant she could reach. We gently suggested otherwise. 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The Courier
3 days ago
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Husband's moving tribute to Dundee journalist wife Terry MacCallum who died with ‘heart full of love'
Warm tributes have been paid to retired DC Thomson & Co Ltd journalist and 'lovely person' Terry MacCallum, who has died aged 65 after a long and brave fight against cancer. The much-loved mum and doting granny, who was a journalist on the People's Journal and then The Courier for many years, died peacefully in Ninewells Hospital on May 22. She ended her long career at DC Thomson in charge of the Craigie column at The Courier. It was a role she loved, before ill health forced her to take early retirement. She met her future husband Ross when she was transferred to The Courier production team as a sub-editor in 1990. Terry confessed later to him that she used to watch him as he arrived for work from the neighbouring Journal office at Bank Street. Ross and Terry were married in 1992. First child Andrew arrived a year later. He was followed by Katharine and then James. Terry gave up work to look after the children, returning to work when they were older. She initially worked on a project to design the compact sized Courier which relaunched in 2012 before moving to the features department and then becoming 'Mrs Craigie'. Leading the many tributes to a woman who 'made the world a better place', husband Ross said: 'A few days before she died, Terry told me: 'If this is my time, I go with a heart filled with love'. 'She was such a loving person and a lovely person. I feel so lucky and proud to have been able to call her my wife for nearly 33 years. She leaves a huge hole in our lives. 'She loved being Mrs Craigie and always went the extra mile with the readers, many of whom were older, often visiting them for long chats and cups of tea.' Terry was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. The cancer returned four years ago and the diagnosis was terminal. But Terry fought so hard with lengthy treatments of chemotherapy. The initial prognosis was bleak, but Terry was able to see many family milestones. Andrew and Nathalie's wedding was a particularly joyful day for the family. 'I thought Terry would burst with pride that day,' said Ross. And then granddaughter Eva came along in 2023. Terry loved being a granny and loved the two years she had to get to know Eva. Another milestone came last year at Glasgow Green when Terry, Ross, sister Gillian and brother-in-law Joe watched James win the grade 1 Piping World Championships with Inveraray. 'Such a special day,' said Ross. 'Terry hadn't been well in the lead-up to the event, but was determined to be there. She was quite breathless and tired, but so proud.' Unfortunately, the long rounds of chemotherapy treatment eventually took their toll when doctors discovered her heart had been damaged. She passed away very peacefully in Ninewells Hospital on Thursday May 22. Former Courier features editor Gillian Lord, who was Terry's line manager before ill health forced her to retire early, described Terry as a 'wonderful skilled journalist and editor' who 'made the world a better place'. Gillian said: 'She ran Craigie, one of The Courier's most popular sections, with a gentle strength that characterised everything she did. The readers loved her, and we loved her. She was kind, generous and quietly funny, and she was also a friend. She made the world a better place, always.' Courier journalist and former features editor Morag Lindsay added: 'She was honestly very likely the nicest person I've ever known. Just the kindest, gentlest, calmest soul who never said a bad word about anyone.' Tribute was also paid by DC Thomson & Co Ltd managing editor Graham Huband who said: 'I remember Ross once described Terry as the 'best of me' and that phrase stuck with me. 'As a colleague, Terry was never one to hog the limelight. But when it came to providing support for those around her – something as simple as a kind word for someone having a tough day – Terry was centre stage. She was the best of all of us in that regard'. Graham said that Terry's love for language and her dedication to her readers through her stewardship of Craigie was clear for all to see. He added: 'No-one who worked alongside Terry will forget her generosity of time and spirit and her passing leaves a hole in our newsroom that can never be filled. 'Our condolences and thoughts are with Ross and the family at this difficult and sad time.' Terry is survived by husband Ross, children Andrew, Katharine and James, and granddaughter Eva. Her funeral is on Monday June 9 at Dundee Crematorium at 11.30am.
