Latest news with #BraeviewAcademy
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Memories of Braeview Academy family, fun and fire as Dundee school closure looms
From performing as Britney Spears to its camaraderie, former depute head teacher Lynn Cathro has special memories of Braeview Academy, as its closure looms. As does Sheryl Ross, who has been both a pupil and staff member at the Dundee secondary, which shuts for good at the end of term. Along with head teacher Lesley Elder and pupils Kai Smith and Katie-Leigh Buchanan, they told The Courier of their mixed emotions as Braeview closes to become part of the new Greenfield Academy. Lynn, 66, was a teacher at Braeview Academy when it opened in 1996, having joined its predecessor Whitfield High School in 1993. She was principal guidance teacher before becoming depute head. After retiring in 2019, she returned as a supply teacher until last year. Lynn says: 'We're like a family at Braeview. It's quite a small school and we all know each other. The young people are just the best here.' The camaraderie, she said, has been most special to her. And, of course, the many school trips and shows. 'You name it, we did it!' she says. 'We did lots of musicals and just had great fun. The school has very much been the heart of the community.' Indeed, Lynn was often on stage herself, including playing Buttons in the staff pantomime and Britney Spears. She explains: 'One of the best shows we did was like Stars In Their Eyes. I was Britney Spears with two of my sixth year pupils rocking Hit Me Baby One More Time. 'That was a real hoot.' Latterly, Lynn worked in the school's enhanced support provision, a role she adored. She has visited the school in its final days, which are being marked with events including a staff ball, community open day on Saturday and music concert. 'I'm not going to lie, it is sad,' she says. 'Especially when I think of former colleagues who are no longer with us. 'Because, as I say, we're like family. 'But it's mixed feelings because I do think our community, our school deserves to have a brand new school.' Braeview Academy is also a dear place to admin worker Sheryl, 37. She was a pupil between 1999 and 2004 and returned to work there four years ago. She says: 'My five years as a pupil were positive. I was happy at school, I liked my teachers, I liked my subjects and I felt supported.' And in her job she often sees familiar faces from her younger days at Braeview, including teachers and classmates whose children are now at the school. 'I love being back and working with a lot of staff members that taught me back in the day. 'Lesley was actually my guidance teacher!' Sheryl will move to Greenfield Academy with the pupils and many of her colleagues. She's excited but emotional. 'This building, the whole set-up of Braeview, that's all I've known,' she says. 'It's sad to see it closing, this building holds a lot of my teenage memories. 'But I'm glad for the kids and the staff. We do definitely need a new school building.' Kai Smith and Katie-Leigh Buchanan, both 16, are part of the generation to experience both Braeview Academy and soon Greenfield Academy, as they start S6 and S5. Kai says: 'I'm really looking forward to moving to Greenfield. 'But I do have mixed feelings because I've been here for so long and Braeview has offered me so much.' He will be a house captain at Greenfield and says: 'I'm really excited to help bring the community together, help everyone feel a sense of belonging in the new school.' The school's final day on June 27 will also be the end of a long history with Braeview for head teacher Lesley. She joined Braeview as a guidance teacher in 2000 before being appointed depute head of Grove Academy five years later. In 2017 she returned to lead the school. 'Within a couple of days of being here I was inviting into my office parents I had taught back in the day – Sheryl's generation of kids who, by that time, had children that were in the school. 'It's a very, very family-orientated school.' Among the challenges Lesley faced early in her headship was the 2018 fire which destroyed a large part of the building. For almost four months Braeview pupils had to go to Craigie High School and Baldragon Academy. Lesley says: 'The school coped magnificently. It was an amazing feat of endeavour and so many partnerships were involved. 'Because the school was water and fire-damaged, staff had to leave all of their work behind. In 2018 things were still very much paper-based so they were leaving filing cabinets full of documents. 'But schools across the city gave us books, textbooks, recordings for modern languages, photocopied material for S1 right up to S6. 'Within a week and a half everyone was settled at Craigie and Baldragon. The staff there were absolutely tremendous and welcomed us with open arms.' Like Lynn, school shows and other events have created stand-out memories of Braeview for Lesley. 'We used to do positive behaviour days where the staff would dress up in costumes,' she recalls. 'I remember staff coming to work dressed as fairy godmothers and First World War pilots. 'A colleague and I came dressed as British Airways cabin crew. 'Staff had a sense of fun in order to entertain the young people.' With Braeview Academy's closure nearing, the reality is dawning that it will soon be no more. 'Now we're in June and we have less than a month left I think the feelings and emotions have intensified among the staff and young people. 'We're all really optimistic because this new state-of-the art school has been a long time coming for Braeview and Craigie. 'It's very much deserved and it will be a self-esteem boost for the community. 'Greenfield is bigger and the opportunities will be far greater than we've been able to offer. 'But it's also what we're leaving behind. The building that we've known and loved for many years, this small staff and small community.' Former Morgan Academy head teacher Johnny Lothian has been appointed head teacher for Greenfield Academy, so Lesley is to be redeployed by Dundee City Council. Her message to the Braeview staff and pupils moving on? 'The really positive spirit and resilience that the staff have, which is second to none and really characterises Braeview, I know they'll take that forward to Greenfield. 'And I would hope the same for the young people. 'I would say to the young people: 'Always know you're loved.''
The Courier
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Nostalgic photos capture life at Dundee's Whitfield High School from 70s to 90s
These time warp photographs capture life at Whitfield High School in Dundee from the 1970s to the 1990s. The name disappeared from the education scene in 1996. The Whitfield High site at Berwick Drive was renamed Braeview Academy. But the former stomping grounds for generations of pupils will be confined to history when the school closes for good at the end of term. It will be knocked down before the opening of Greenfield Academy. The new £100m campus is a merger between Braeview and Craigie High School. Before the old school meets the wrecking ball, we have dug these photographs out of cold storage to celebrate the lasting memories made at Whitfield High. The school stands on a 28-acre site to the north of the Whitfield housing estate. It cost £2.25m to build. It was still being completed when it opened to S1-S3 pupils in August 1976. First year pupils in the common room at Whitfield High School in August 1976. It was officially opened a year later. Education convener Elizabeth Carnegy did the honours in November 1977. Assistant rector George Young sits alongside pupils from the Whitfield High School Community Council during a meeting in August 1977. Whitfield High was one of the few schools in Scotland to work a five day period. Pupils giving the thumbs-up in front of a minibus in September 1978. It was needed. The school roll increased from 600 to 1,250. Whitfield High pupils made a demo tape at Sound Logic Studio in Seagate as part of a project organised by Yvonne Cook of the College of Commerce. Allison McKenzie, Brenda Cormack, Jane Fitzpatrick, Yvonne Cook, Lesley Anderson, Linda Humphreys and Linda Kenneth joined Grant McDonald and Rick Harris at the mixing desk. Music played a big part in the life of the school. This troupe of characters are pictured with speech and drama teacher Sheila Allan and bagpipe teacher Ian Duncan ahead of a variety concert in October 1981. Prince Philip was in the city to meet 600 Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme participants at Whitfield High School in July 1982. The duke's personal standard can be seen flying on the flag pole. Prince Philip signs the Whitfield High visitors' book. He watched a display of swimming and lifesaving in the pool and various athletic activities in the gym including weightlifting and judo. Among the pupils in 1983 was Eddie Mair. He became a broadcaster and journalist with BBC Scotland. A reception was held in February 1983 for the Whitfield High School senior hockey squad which won the Scottish Indoor Hockey Championships. They were presented with the Keiller Cup. Whitfield High annual athletics championship attracted 200 spectators and 100 participants on the playing fields in June 1983. It was sponsored by Barratt's. The firm was building a housing estate just over the school fence. These girls were cheering on their Murroes House members at the sports day. The other houses were Powrie, Claypotts and Ballumbie. Whitfield High School magazine team at the word processor in December 1983. The magazine was called the Juggler and Waffler. Among the team was future Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick. Pastor Tony Pokorny gave a talk to pupils at the school in October 1985. He was a former Nazi youth movement leader. He became a minister and went on to found the Austrian Bible Society. Whitfield High School Pipe Band perform in the City Square in June 1986. Toes were tapping and heads turning as the pipers played for about two hours. Whitfield High School Brass Band performed at Texas Homecare store in November 1986 during a small tour of Dundee. They were raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Whitfield High School FP Hockey Club received new strips in March 1987. They were presented by farmer Graham McLean from Ballumbie. The Wellgate Centre was given an up-tempo swing in June 1987 when the Whitfield High School Brass Band performed for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Other pupils circulated among shoppers collecting donations. Whitfield High pupil Paul Hastie released Carols for Christmas in December 1987. The 14-year-old's tape was selling well in school. His voice was compared with that of boy soprano Aled Jones. Whitfield High pupils took part in a Musician of the Year competition in June 1988. The competition was divided into two categories – S1-S3 and S4-S6. The competition started in 1986 when music teacher Jimmy Tonner and his assistant Frances Riddell each donated a trophy to the music department. A photograph of the first prefects at Whitfield High in August 1989. They were given a badge to wear on their school tie. Whitfield High pupils were making headlines in February 1992. The pupils produced their own newspaper as part of a competition organised by Comic Relief and they led with a story about the regeneration of Whitfield. They also managed to interview Dundee United manager Jim McLean. The cross-country team and road running team celebrated success in March 1993. Rector Peter Murphy was also the manager and coach. He was in post from 1976-1993. The Whitfield High production of Grease was performed in June 1993. The music was brought to life by the school band. The production had a three-night run and all concerned had a blast. Members of Whitfield and Linlathen High School Jazz Orchestra posing for the camera at Bell Street Music Centre in June 1994. The photograph was a sign of things to come. Whitfield High merged with Linlathen High in August 1996. First the name disappeared. Now the building follows. What's left are memories—fading, but firm.
The Courier
25-04-2025
- The Courier
Fundraiser launched for 'murdered' Dundee dad Ali Lamb's funeral
A fundraiser has been launched in a bid to give a Dundee dad who was allegedly murdered the send-off he 'deserves'. The family of Alister 'Ali' Lamb are hoping to raise £5,000 to help pay for a funeral for the 36-year-old and to create a memorial. Ali was found injured after allegedly being attacked in a block of flats on Balunie Terrace in Douglas last Friday. The former Braeview Academy pupil and dad-of-two later died in hospital. Speaking to The Courier, Ali's nephew, Callum Lamb, said his uncle would have given you the 'shirt off his back' if you needed it. Callum, 22, said: 'Ali was a son, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many and is going to be missed terribly. 'He was just a kind person who would help out whoever he could. 'He'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, and I think anyone would be hard-pressed to find a person who didn't like him. 'I'm hoping to raise money for Ali's funeral, where everyone can say goodbye in a way he deserves and place a memorial for him.' Callum says the money raised would prevent the family from 'worrying that we cannot afford it'. He added: 'I know everyone struggles and has their own troubles through life, but if everyone shares (the crowdfunder) and even gives just a little, it will all help. 'We are all feeling the pain from him being taken from us way too soon. 'It's not something that happens every day, and you never think something like this will happen to you or your own – but it has. 'Our hearts break for how we were not there at the end for him. 'We never got to say goodbye, and that will always be on our minds.' Ali worked as a steward for Specialized Security Scotland, which included stewarding music events. Hundreds of pounds have already been donated on the GoFundMe page. A 17-year-old male – who cannot be named due to his age – has appeared in court, accused of stabbing Ali to death.
