Elgin Academy: A Past of Progress

Elgin Academy is currently a school of innovation and modernity, which makes it difficult to imagine what the school may have looked like a hundred years ago. It can be said that Elgin Academy did not have its own Strictly Come Dancing in the 1920’s, nor did it have its own ‘#TeamEA’ sign which overrules the school’s canteen.

Instead, the 20’s were a time of its own innovation. The first television was invented, as well as the instant camera and the cheeseburger. Meanwhile, in Elgin Academy, their highly esteemed merit continued to flourish and many pupils excelled there in the 20’s. 

Though the first world war ended in 1918, the war continued to darkly hang over the heads of Academy pupils in the early 20’s.

In 1922, a Mural Bronze Tablet was unveiled in the Academy to commemorate the sacrifices made by 83 former pupils during the war. The tablet, which still hangs over the amphitheatre today, serves as a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of those who gave their lives in the service of their country. The unveiling was attended by current pupils, teaching staff, and parents of the fallen.

During the ceremony, Sheriff Orr K.C. addressed the pupils of the Academy,

“We speak of them as the fallen, the dead, we speak of ourselves as the living. But time reverses many verdicts.

Just try to think of how the events of the present will appear to those who come after us. Fifty, sixty years hence – a hundred years hence – I suppose all of us in this hall will be forgotten; but these boys will still be remembered. The boys and girls who then come to the Academy will read their names on this memorial and speak of their brave deeds that saved the Empire. It is they who then will seem to be of the living; it is we who stayed behind who will seem to be dead.

The cup of life is sweet and full to the brim in the years of youth and early manhood, and they loved life; they loved home and kindred, they loved this ancient and pleasant town where they had been brought up, this pleasant countryside; but upon all these they turned their backs at the call of duty and danger. With that trumpet call in their ears they could hear nothing else, they could think of nothing else.”

Rector Mr. Kerr had taught every one of the 83 boys whose names appear on the tablet during his 41-year tenure at the Academy. He emphasised that there were not just soldiers, but ordinary people who lived in Elgin just like anyone else. The First World War changed everything for them and for the town of Elgin.

It is solemn to think that seventeen years later, these pupils would be thrust into another war. Many would be fighting, while others would aid in other areas like munitions and medical aid. It was as if they couldn’t escape the legacy of bloodshed that the first war had left behind. 

Elgin Academy was missing a rector in the early 20’s and they desperately needed someone to fill the post. Anguish erupted in 1922 when a 29-year old, Mr Ian Andrew, was appointed as the new rector. Twelve teachers signed a protest against his appointment, arguing that there were older and more experienced teachers who were better suited for the role. The public had mixed reactions to the objection, with some questioning the qualifications of the new rector and others decrying the complaining teachers as selfish.

A member of the public even ended their complaint to the Northern Scot with, “As one M.P. said the other day, teachers are proving to be the most selfish class of citizens in the land.”

Regardless, his tenure brought many innovations to the Academy: the house system, school colours, prefects, morning prayers, and organised games like football and rugby. Despite the role of a prefect practically meaning nothing in today’s school, and morning prayers clearly being extinct, the school colours continue to at least be decently favourable. 

Elgin Academy had become the alma mater of many notable figures during the 20’s, including Professor Frederick Fyvie Bruce who went on to become a renowned biblical scholar. The Academy’s close ties with Aberdeen University meant that the University was keen to admit pupils as Elgin Academy was widely known to be a prestigious place of education. 

However, life a hundred years ago wasn’t confined to piles of textbook work and the grim aftermath of World War One. No, there were much more joyous experiences to be had at the Academy. There were various opportunities for the youth of Elgin Academy to meet outside of school, including parties at their youth cafe and other excursions to places like the Cairngorms. Many clubs existed like the school’s magazine, cricket club, and a club for playing football.

The School Club was quite famous, and it would continue to be for decades. It was an integral part of the school and ensured intense debates and discussions. The debates grew so heated that they acquired mass popularity within the school and the club’s membership rapidly grew. The wit of the pupils from this club aided in building a prestigious reputation for the school.

In the 20’s, a particular group of fifth years took great pride in the organisation of their year’s school dances. They broke the classic traditions of only having a winter dance, and introduced the first fifth year summer dance which ended up being the proclaimed dance of the year.

A hundred years ago, Elgin Academy was a place of remembrance and progress, a place where the events of the past managed to shape the future. The school has continued to evolve over the years, and it can be predicted that it will continue to in the near future. In a hundred years, the Academy has managed to change exceptionally. Though, it can be said that the youths of the Academy have not changed much. Clubs continue to thrive, while  dances and school excursions continue to be more anticipated than school tests. One can only imagine what the prestigious academy will look like a hundred years from now, and maybe the Team Times of the future will be there to let you know.