Kenny Walker remembers

Kenny Walker

Myself (Kenny Walker), my younger sister (Karen), and older brother (Gordon or sometimes Raymie), all attended Liberton in the early, middle 1970s and although time has fogged a lot of things, my memories of Liberton are genuinely pleasant ones.
Teachers remembered are, Mr. Dawn who taught Geography down at The Annexe, Mr. Ingles (or Puff as he was known then), Mr. White (PE), Mr. Birse (RE), Mr. Pia (History, Mr. Adams (Music) and Mr. Phillips (Headmaster).



Gordon Walker



Karen Walker

Burn Supper

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne (Robert Burns)


On Friday 30 January 150 performers and guests at Liberton high School celebrated the 250 anniversary of the bard's birth. This event was also part of the school's 50 anniversary. The entire event was superbly organised by Mrs Norah Watson, our Principal Teacher of HE.

The evening followed the traditional format of a Burns supper. First we were treated to a lovely supper consisting of Haggis, neeps and tatties. The food was all produced by our HE department and S4 pupils and was served by senior pupils. We are grateful to the Witchery restaurant for taking the time to train senior pupils in waiting. Following the supper, the Immortal Memory was brilliantly delivered by Dick Staite, former headteacher at Beeslack High school. Dick served as an Assistant Head Teacher at Liberton High in the days when Henry Phillip was Headteacher. Following Dick's presentation, we had contributions from various performers. The order of events was:

• Joanna Greig (Welcome)
• Joyce Lochrie (Grace)
• Chris Saddler (Piper)
• David Russell (Address to the Haggis)
• Julia Lawson and Joanna Greig (Dancing)
• Dick Staite (Immortal memory)
• Eleanor Graham (Singing of ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’)
• Mark O'Neill (Toast to the Lassies)
• Rachel McDade (Reply from the Lassies)
• Ian McBain (Singing of ‘Ae fond kiss’)
• Cathy Ritchie (Tam O'Shanter)
• Sheila Kennedy (Kate O'Shanter)
• Joe Walker (Holy Willie's Prayer)
• Alison Steel and Alison Thayne (Singing of 'Coming through the rye')
• Rosy Fraser (Mouth Organ) accompanied by Donald MacIntosh and
• David Donoghue (Vote of thanks).

The master of ceremonies for the evening was the hugely entertaining and witty Iain Hutchison.

All in all, this was a hugely enjoyable and successful evening. Enormous thanks are due to our HE department and pupils, especially Norah Watson who has been superhuman in her efforts to stage such a stunning evening.

Tea party for retired staff

This event was a great success with around 30 former staff in attendance. It was great to see so many former colleagues and all looking so well!

Ceilidh

Tonights ceilidh has been cancelled.
This is due to a lack of interest with less than one third of the available tickets being sold.

Ceilidh

Ceilidh tickets are on sale NOW

Dance the night away on Friday 28th November from 7.30 until midnightl. Help us to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary and St Andrews night. Tickets are only £8.00 and are available from the school. Everyone welcome.

Ceilidh 28th November 2008

50th anniversary Ceilidh is being held in the school on 28th November. Tickets are on sale now priced at a very modest £8 each. Send a stamped addressed envelope with your cheque for the number of tickets you wish to: 'Admin' at Liberton High School, 328 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7PT.
First Course Restaurants are supplying the food for the evening and it will be the BEST OF SCOTS FARE.

Proposed Events for our Anniversary year

This is a summary of what we have planned for the coming year. We hope to see as many people as possible at these events.

Open Day 23 August - very successful. Over 300 people in attendance

Book Week (Celebrating 50 years) October

X Factor Thursday 16 October

Ceilidh November

Christmas Carol Concert December

Retired Teachers Tea Party December

Burns Supper January 2009

Race Night February 2009

Fame Academy March 2009

Sponsored Abseil (possibly from Forth Bridge tbc) April 2009

Reception in City Chambers May 2009

Other possibilities to include:

• BBQ June
• Summer Fair
• Prizegiving
• Activities Week
• Sports day

For more details contact fiftieth.anniversary@liberton.edin.sch.uk

Science Club (Session 1967-8). Organised by Science Teacher (Chemistry) Mr Russell, the Science Club was held every Wednesday after school. The picture shows 'Preparation of Bromine Gas'; and photographed (standing) are L to R - James Beyer, Donald Heron (background) and Leslie Ball. I am unable to name the pupil in the foreground with his back to the camera.

Class 2b1 from '62 to '63

from
James Beyer 1961 to 1968

Dear Mr Macdonald

In response to your ‘search’ for memories of the late Lord Russell Johnston, I have vivid recollections of him from session 1962-63.

At that time, I was in 2nd year and our timetable included two periods of history each week with Mr Johnston (Tuesday and Thursday mornings before lunchtime). I particularly remember his lessons on ‘The Voyages of Discovery’ and the Industrial Revolution.

When we were gainfully employed in writing out notes or completing assignments from our history textbooks, he would be seated at his desk. Bent over a portable typewriter and totally immersed in what he was doing, he busily engaged himself in writing what I suspect may have been perhaps a speech or some other material for the Liberal Party, as at that time he was beginning his distinguished political career.

There were three History classrooms on the second floor of the ‘classroom block’ – Rooms 7, 8 and 9. (I also recall that there was another in the ‘extension’ which was built to cater for the ‘post-war baby boom’, of which I was one! ** ). The Principal Teacher of History – Mr Petrie – was in Room 7 with Roy Wilsher and Russell Johnston in Rooms 8 and 9 respectively. The remaining three rooms on that level were used by the Modern Languages Department.

** The plan was that the ‘extension’ would be ready for the new first year intake in August 1961 (I seem to recall, at that time there was also an Easter intake). However, the completion was delayed, and we were provided with temporary accommodation at Firrhill Secondary, necessitating us to be ‘bussed’ each day from two pick-up points in the Liberton catchment area (Sir Walter Scott Avenue catering for pupils living in the Inch area and another for pupils from Moredun). The Liberton ‘extension’ was ready for the beginning of the following Term – and it was in January 1962 that we joined the Liberton School community proper.

Hope the above is of interest.

James Beyer (Pupil at Liberton Secondary School from 1961-68)

Liberton Fiftieth birthday Ceilidh

We have to postpone the Ceilidh until later in our year of celebrations. We hope that this doesn't cause too much inconvenience to all who pre booked for the event. Everyone who has prepaid will be receiving a full refund shortly and will also get priority notification of the rearranged date.

The open day will be going ahead on Saturday 23rd as advertised, only the ceilidh is being reorganised.

Liberton Fifty

OPEN DAY


Celebrating 50 years of Liberton High School.

Former pupils and staff are invited to our Open Day on Saturday 23 August from 11 until 3.

To register either email fiftieth.anniversary@liberton.edin.sch.uk or telephone 0131 664 7514 ext 149

Liberton Fifty

Our 50th Birthday Party

Celebrating 50 years of Liberton High School.


Former pupils and staff are invited to our Ceilidh with a buffet meal on Saturday 23 August from 7.30 until late. Tickets £20


For tickets either email fiftieth.anniversary@liberton.edin.sch.uk or telephone 0131 664 7514 ext 149

Lord Russell Johnston

Last week, whilst reading an obituary for Russell Johnston, I learned that he taught History at Liberton High from 1961- 1963. Do you remember him? Have you any interesting stories to share?

Alex Robertson memories

From Alex. Robertson

It is great to hear the old school group are having these celebrations. Unfortunately due to distance will not make it, however I would be glad to keep contact with any of my former friends, whom I made during 1960-1963 in 3B2 (prior to that I was at Fernieside Primary School).

While I am still active in sport, it is with regret that I heard (after the event) that we had lost Bruce Hay. I had the good fortune to know Bruce - and his brother David, well. Actually I gave Bruce his first rugby lessons on how to tackle in 1962 at the request of our PT teacher. Then, as we had few players, we mixed years to form a team and as a result we played together. In the years after we both left school it was always magic to chat together in the street, or at games (I later played for Musselburgh RFC).



Since 2002 I have been racing professionally in NASCAR here in the USA, which I enjoy a lot, as seen in some of my PR photos (attached). Plus I own my own Management Consulting business here San Diego, California, where I help design of professional TV equipment used by all the major TV companies in the world.

Home Economics

There is a new album on the right and it's from the Home Economics department. The pictures range from May 1959 when the Duchess of Kent opened the school right up to quite recently. Why not see if you're in any and let us know.

1970 season

D. Ritson M Bell
S. Grant V. Grant K. Quinn P. Stables

Squash 1970 - 71

Bay City Rollers

Last week I learned that two members of the Bay City Rollers were pupils at Liberton High School. Does anyone out there have pictures of the boys whilst they were at Liberton High or memories they can share. I wonder if the boys could be persuaded to come back to the High School to perform at one of our 50th anniversary events?

Open Day Registration

Registration for our Open Day Opens TODAY!!

http://www.fizzindi.demon.co.uk/Liberton50.doc or http://www.fizzindi.demon.co.uk/Liberton50.pdf

One day I might be able to figure out how to make this link live, but in the meantime, cut and paste this into your browser to get the registration form.

Registration for our Open Day on Saturday 23rd August opens today.

We would like you to register so that we can organize; arrange name/year badges
and organise catering etc.

To register , fill in the sheet above and email to fiftiethanniversary@liberton.edin.sch.uk or send to fitieth anniversary, Liberton High School, 328 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7PT

Dorothy Lloyd (Lee)

Dorothy sent in this picture and this information:

The class is 1G1 from 1959.

Me, Dorothy Lloyd (nee Lee), back row 2nd from left. Anyone recognise themselves and want to get in touch, see my profile on friends reunited.