Wednesday 4 August 2010

Dispatches From the Summer Assistant #5: School Memories

Last week I promised a Back to School Exhibition. This can now be seen in the display cabinet in the library foyer and upstairs in the Archives Searchroom.

The exhibition includes all sorts of interesting records of how school used to be in Orkney. The earliest record dates back to 1662 but there are also far more recent school photographs. Themes which are covered include the opening of schools (and the closing of Tomison’s Academy), success, improvements, teachers and lots more. One particularly interesting record is a meticulously handwritten time-table from Stromness Academy, for the session 1933-1934.



Some visitors may find themselves or their ancestors in photographs or mentioned in the records on display.

Orkney Museum has been kind enough to lend us a few objects for the exhibition, including a strap used by Miss Kathleen Bruce Twatt at Kirkwall Grammar School. Hopefully you won't remember that item too well!

Children (aged around 7 and up) may enjoy the quiz which accompanies this exhibition. Any child who takes part will receive a free notepad and pencil, as well as the chance to win a copy of Christopher Paolini’s book Brisingr.

We are keen to hear your memories of school. If you would like to share them, please take a moment to fill in one of our School Memories forms. We will then keep these according to your wishes.

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