|
|
.. |
|
Education
& Schools (2)
|
|
<Back |
|
A selection of
press articles from 1937 describing the opening of the new Lionel School |
A
Gymnasium
"Behind
the main building is another imposing structure of brick
piers and wooden framework, faced with plaster. The roof of
this building, which is much higher than the main school
building, is supported by Queen post trusses resting on the
brick piers, something after the fashion of a church roof.
This building contains a gymnasium (hence the high roof), a
cookery room, and a room for science and woodwork. Two
dressing-rooms are provided in connection with the
gymnasium. Underneath this building is a boiler-room,
providing central heating for the whole school.
"Along the back
of the main building is a well lighted corridor linking
together all the classrooms with the staff-rooms and
cloak-rooms; a branch of this corridor connects with the
gymnasium and other special classrooms which are situated
behind the middle of the main building. In this way, the
school looks something like a capital "E" elongated, and
with the top and bottom small, and the middle leg much
enlarged. The back of the "E" then represents the main
school, the top and bottom, the two buildings containing
cloakrooms and staff-rooms, and the middle leg the
gymnasium." |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
The Roma
Cup winning team of 1962 wearing the traditional 'diamond' neck
football jersey that Lionel School footballers wore at the time |
|
| |
The Opening Ceremony
"At the opening ceremony on Wednesday, a gathering
representative of the school, the district, the Education
Committee, the Inspectorate, and the Scottish Education
Department assembled in the gymnasium, seated for the
occasion with the latest in steel furniture.
"Rev. Dr Dow, chairman of the County
Education Committee, presided over the gathering, and among
those present were, Mr J.W. Peck, secretary of the Scottish
Education Department; Mr J. Macrae, M.A., chairman of the
School Management Committee; Mr A. Lang, H.M. Chief
Inspector of Schools for the Highland Division; Dr. A.
Barrie Grieve, H.M.I.S.; Mr Angus L. Macdonald, H.M.I.S.;
Rev. Norman Campbell, Dingwall; Provost Smith, County
vice-convenor; Councillors Murdo Macleod, Eoropie; Rev. R.
Mackenzie, Back; Angus Smith, Holm; Mrs J.M. Fraser; Mrs
Macleod, Ardabhaig; J.S. Maclean; D. Gunn; J. Mackay, Aird;
M. Macdonald, Ness; Messrs. Donald Mackay, M.A., headmaster,
Lionel P. School; John Macsween, M.A., Headmaster, Aird P.
School; M. Macleod, Headmaster, Knockiandue P. School; Mr H.
Matheson, architect and Mr Donald Mackay, clerk to the
School Management Committee. Mr Malcolm K. Macmillan, M.P.,
was also present.
"The proceedings were opened with
prayer by Rev. Norman Campbell, Dingwall, and thereafter Dr
Dow briefly introduced Mr Peck as secretary, and head of the
Scottish Education Department, calling upon him to declare
the school open." |
|
|
|
| |
A
Former Ceremony Recalled
"Dr Dow then called upon Provost Smith
to move a vote of thanks to Mr Peck for what he described as
a most instructive oration. Mr Peck's history was such that
they should feel very grateful to him for travelling so
great a distance to be present, said Provost Smith, who went
on to give the audience some very interesting and
appropriate quotations from the address of Sir James
Matheson at a similar function in the Ness district nearly
seventy years ago."The
occasion of Sir James's address was the opening of a new
school erected by him in Lionel in 1869. That school did not
exist today, Provost Smith remarked; it was not the old
Lionel school which was erected by the School Board after
the passing of the Education Act in 1871 or 1872. Possibly
some of the Ness people, he said, might have some idea
whether the old building had been completely demolished or
not.
"Addressing himself to the pupils on
that occasion Sir James complimented them on having pursued
their studies with remarkable success, notwithstanding the
great disadvantage of studying in an inferior schoolhouse,
having defective light and ventilation." |
|
|
|
| |
Well Tested
"Mr H. Matheson, architect, thanked Councillor Mackay for
his kind remarks. Mr Matheson also took the opportunity of
thanking the clerk of works and the contractors for the
harmonious spirit in which they had worked together despite
the sometimes very trying conditions, and also congratulated
them on the job they had turned out - a job which had been
thoroughly tested in the gales of last winter.
"The proceedings closed with the
singing by the pupils of some Gaelic songs, under the
conductorship of Mr John Macdonald. Thereafter the visitors
inspected the buildings and partook of an enjoyable tea
provided by the school staff."
The Buildings Described
"The new Lionel school is a
conspicuous landmark on the machair. The site is about three
hundred yards from the old school, and the new building has
a frontage 275 feet long, with a southerly aspect. The main
building is constructed of brick, with large steel windows
of modern design giving excellent lighting and ventilation.
The eight classrooms run along practically the whole
frontage of the building so that each of them has a
southerly view.
"The classrooms are equipped
throughout with new furniture; each pupil in the higher
classes having an individual desk. The walls of the infant
room are decorated with a frieze representing the sea with
the ships of all nations. The other rooms are decorated with
beautiful paintings, some of them copies of well known
masters.
"In addition to the classrooms, the
main building also provides two staff-rooms and cloakroom
and lavatory accommodation for the children. A good supply
of water is assured by gravitation from a well some distance
from the school, and sewage is provided by means of a septic
tank. The staff-rooms and cloakrooms are at the ends of the
main building, running back at right angles from the
classrooms." |
|
|
|
| |
Spacious Playing Fields
"The main entrances of the school are of artificial stone,
and all the main doors and corridor doors are of the
swinging type. The whole school, including gymnasium, etc.
is connected by covered corridors, as stated above.
"Behind the school, spacious
playgrounds have been reserved for the boys and girls, and,
in addition (a most welcome addition too), there is a
football field. In each of the playgrounds there is a
covered shelter with seats, so that on wet days the children
can still get the fresh air during their intervals; and to
these shelters are attached cycle sheds for the use of those
who cycle to school." |
|
|
|
| |
|
More> |
|
.gif)
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=spacer}
.gif){kind=small}
