Crossing The Moor
My secondary education was completed after spending 4 years at Irvine Royal Academy. The school was broken into two buildings known as the old school (pictured) and the new school in Kilwinning Road. Classes were conducted between both buildings and often meant crossing the moor to and from either building. This was fine and considered a great timewaster in good weather but was a pain in pouring rain and ice & snow etc.
The old school was a beautiful building which was loaded with character and that also included some of the teachers who could be characters in their own right, the older of whom wore the black robes and generally carried a belt for discipline, although I never saw one used. The classes were split following the results from the 11+ exam and we were taught according to capabilities. I loved it.
I loved the old building, the character, and the learning (although the exams were a bit stressful). However we survived and although that beautiful building is still standing proudly it did not survive as a place of learning but now houses various businesses.
That's progress ??
Memories Links
Other memories of The Academy 1904
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How has this scene changed?
Do you know who lived or worked here?
Why is this photo significant to you?
Particular points of interest - transport, architecture, fashions etc.
Comments
1 comment has been shared so far in response to the memory "Crossing The Moor".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Crossing The Moor
Hi, you say you never saw the belt used, I did, plenty of times and for, eg, mistakes in French homework. I don't know what years you were there but I remember 'Stasher' as he was called by us, the PE teacher, and Tom Hay the art teacher and Chic Fowlds the history teacher and Willie Mcillvaney who of course is now an author of books, he was one of the best and didn't like to use the belt but most of the others did. I didn't learn much because of the attitude of these people. I remember the French teacher who was French, we called her 'Buggy Wright'. I did learn some French as she was nice, then she went and then a male arrived, I can't remember his name but he would belt you for homework mistakes made once again. I didn't listen much with that sort of attitude. Oh, we had a nice metalwork teacher, his name escapes me at the moment, he was good, firm but fair. I did make a pea gun one time and fired at the board, I got the belt and deserved it, I think it could have taken somebody's eye out, it was powerful. Bye for now.
Comment from Colin Porter on Tuesday, 14th September 2010.