Canisbay School has been good to me
Recorded 1 year ago
About this recording
The present Canisbay School opened on 9th September 1974 at 9.45am, half an hour later the children from John O’Groats School arrived making a total roll of 77 pupils.
Christine Shearer joined the staff in August 1977 and for the first fourteen years she was a class teacher then she became headteacher for a further fourteen years.
She says, “There are many stand out moments from these twenty-eight years,”
She describes the memorable school trips to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kingussie, Newtonmore, Coylumbridge to name a few, but she also recalls the day trips to Orkney aboard the John O’Groats ferry.
During their first school trip to Edinburgh, the group travelled by public transport to an Andy Stewart concert in one of the city theatres. On arriving slightly late, Andy stopped the concert to welcome their arrival. He asked where they had come from and when he was told “John O’Groats” he remarked, “Well it’s no wonder you’re late then.”
“Wherever we went people would compliment us on the good behaviour of the children, and that was really lovely to hear,” recalls Christine.
She remembers some of the visitors to the school. In particular, she recalls the visit from Stephen Hendry, the snooker player and Christine expresses the delight of everyone when his helicopter landed in the school playground.
“The Caithness Music Festival was a highlight of the school year,” and she talks about the Festival Concert at the end of each summer term.
She also describes the preparations for the annual Christmas Treat, when teachers spent long hours writing scripts, making props and costumes, painting backcloths as well as rehearsing songs and plays with the children.
“Looking back, it was a time of great hilarity in the staff room, as we put together a programme and bounced ideas off each other.”
Christine describes the fate of the school piano on its trip to the Canisbay hall for one Christmas Treat.
She also reflects upon the many changes in education over the years, but she also says, “I was so fortunate to have such fantastic staff.”
Christine concludes, “I wish the headteacher, staff and pupils many more happy years in the future of Canisbay Primary School. Happy 50th anniversary to you all.”
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