Viktoria & Ryan Lightbody discuss life-changing impact of Bursaries
Richard Orr, former pupil turned former teacher shares his memories
Oban Duncan, riding a wave of success as UK’s first female E1 powerboat racer
Hello and welcome to the second edition of Sursum Semper, the annual magazine for former pupils of The High School of Glasgow.
After years of planning and discussion, it is quite something to find ourselves right in the middle of the School’s 900th anniversary. Much like any big event, the devil is in the detail and my team and I, alongside the 900 Campaign Chair, Senior Leadership, Governors and volunteers, have worked tirelessly to execute six months of celebration and fundraising. And it doesn’t stop there, with lots more still to come in the second half of the year.
In the pages of this magazine, we showcase the events that have taken place and shine a spotlight on the 900 Campaign, the first standalone Appeal the School has launched in some 17 years. There’s no better way to truly understand the life-changing impact a bursary has on a young person than by hearing the stories for whom this has been the case – the interview with Viktoria and Ryan Lightbody (both Class of 2009) is life-affirming.
The front cover of this issue features Jacquetta Clark (Class of 2012), a former pupil who has shown true grit, unwavering commitment to her passion and is reaping the rewards. This sentiment is echoed in a feature with Jemma Robertson (Class of 2015), who, with grace and resilience, took over her father’s business following his unexpected death and has grown it exponentially in a few short years. Answering your calling seems to have benefited a number of former pupils, with two leaving the world of Law to become novelists – Paul Mendelson (Class of 1967) and Emma Steele (Class of 2003).
The global footprint of our community is made clear across this issue in many stories: be that Cathal Callan’s (Class of 2021) Cambodia travels, Brian Dawson’s (Class of 1959) globetrotting, Douglas Adam’s (Class of 1953) emigration to Canada and Oban Duncan’s (Class of 2022) powerboating pursuits, among others.
It has been so special to welcome many individuals back to the High School this year, or to reconnect with you in one way or another, as we mark our anniversary. The goodwill felt towards your ‘Alma Mater Glorious’ is palpable. The School wouldn’t be where it is today without the generosity of our community, and this is something we are eternally grateful for.
This milestone in the School’s history has provided opportunity for us to pause and reflect on where the School has come from and how we would like to see its future unfolding. As yet another cohort leave the High School for their next chapter, I can’t help but feel a sense of reassurance that the world is in good hands as, each year, we bid farewell to bright, committed and caring young people. And, of course, the pages of this magazine are testament to the impact you all have on the world around you.
Do please contact us at community@hsog.co.uk with your news for next year’s edition which will be published Summer 2025.
Editorial Team
Naomi Clark
David Keith
Chloe MacKenzie
Karen McDonald, Director of External Relations, The High School of Glasgow
James Cook
We interviewed Jacquetta Clark (Class of 2012), a freelance photographer with global reach, to learn what it takes to excel as a creative, how to have the courage to believe in yourself and walk the path less formed.
You left HSOG in 2012 – what were your school days like and do you have any standout memories from your time here?
School was great, I always enjoyed my time at the High School, but my final two years were my favourite because I was focusing on subjects that I was most interested in. I have lots of great memories, the best one has to be the Fashion and Art trip to London. It was my first time visiting London which was exciting in itself but we also went to some of the best places like the V&A, Harrods, Spitalfields Market and we met fashion designer Paul Smith at his studio. Now that I live in London I think fondly about my first time here with the School.
Can you pinpoint a time in your school life when you knew that pursuing a career in the Art or Fashion world was your calling or is it something you always knew?
Coming from a creative family, I always knew I was interested in the arts. It was clear to me from a young age that I had a creative skill and I was greatly encouraged by my parents and the Art Department at school. However, my choice to specialise in photography didn’t come until I was in Art School.
Tell me a bit about your life since leaving HSOG. What made you want to go to Art School and what did you study?
I wanted to study Fine Art so I went to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee after 6th Year. Duncan of Jordanstone was the best Art School for me because it offered a Foundation First Year course, where you tried all the specialisms before you selected one. From Second Year, I chose to specialise in Fine Art, which allowed us to practice and mix media including drawing and painting, sculpture, installation, photography and conceptual art.
What made you want to pursue being a photographer as a career?
I’m a very impulsive and intuitive creative, so taking a lot of time over a painting or a sculpture was not natural for me. Photography offers an instant result for my creative ideas and the variations and possibilities a camera offers is so inspiring to me.
Photography is also one of the more personable and collaborative art forms and as a social person, I enjoy this process more. Not to mention, it is a creative skill that I felt offered a more commercial career opportunity.
How did you break into the field?
I started while I was still at Art School, I offered to photograph the exhibitions that were hosted by the students, and then I started to reach out to the university’s clubs and societies to photograph their events and shows. Once I did a few, word got round and I was freelancing on the side. After I graduated, the Exhibition Department of the Art School hired me to photograph their exhibitions and openings. This was an amazing springboard and I shot some fantastic artists including Ulay, Ross Sinclair and Jade Montserrat. I then spent a summer in Greece working as a photographer for a beach resort, which was a really fun job. Once I came back I applied for jobs in London and moved there to work in-house as a retoucher for Deliveroo in their headquarters.
Coming from a creative family, I always knew I was interested in the arts. It was clear to me from a young age that I had a creative skill and I was greatly encouraged by my parents and the Art Department at school.
Choosing to become freelance is a brave and exciting decision – how do you find being your own boss and what advice would you give to others looking to go freelance within their profession?
After having had a taste of freelancing at the beginning of my career I knew that it was a way I liked to work, but I needed a full-time job to get me to London. Working in-house for a couple of companies was a great experience and a good way to make contacts. During my full-time work, I often spent evenings and weekends working on my own portfolio. The thing about going freelance is that it will always be a leap of faith and a bit of a daunting decision so there is never the right time, there is just going for it.
Your career as a freelance photographer has taken you far and wide, can you tell us a bit more about what it was like living in New York? Have you shot campaigns in any other exotic locations?
Yes, the best thing about being a freelancer in the creative industry is the possibility to travel. I spent three months in New York in 2022 where I shot at Fashion Week, worked with some amazing photographers and shot editorials for magazines. One of my favourite shoots I did was a moody autumnal shoot in iconic Central Park on a misty day. Another favourite editorial I shot in the US was a road trip for MMScene magazine. We had a car and a suitcase full of amazing clothes and shot as we drove around Upstate New York, Boston and the Niagara Falls. I’ve had a few other shoots in locations around Europe, mainly in the South of France, Ibiza and Barcelona. I’ve also been fortunate to be able to shoot back home in Scotland.
Have you had a memorable “pinch me” moment yet?
In my first year of freelancing, I shot an out-of-home campaign for Juice Burst. Seeing my photos around London on the side of red buses was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. Also in my first year of freelancing, Vogue contacted me to use an image of mine online. Since then, my work has been featured in several publications and online platforms such as Glamour, Grazia, the Financial Times, The Independent and L’Officiel.
You’ve met and photographed a number of high-profile individuals and shot for some big brands, what can you tell us about that?
I used to say that a camera was like having a key into someone else’s life, and it certainly has been. I’ve shot David Beckham, Elijah Wood, Zinedine Zidane, Bobby Brazier, Elizabeth Day, Vogue Williams, Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Sarah Beeny and my favourite fashion icon, Tika the Iggy (a Montreal-based Italian Greyhound with over 1 million followers).
Tell me about some of the brands you’ve done shoots for?
I’ve worked with so many amazing brands including Red Bull, Nespresso, EA Sports, Hugo Boss, Lapointe, Rixo and Omnes.
The thing about going freelance is that it will always be a leap of faith and a bit of a daunting decision so there is never the right time, there is just going for it.
I used to say that a camera was like having a key into someone else’s life, and it certainly has been. I’ve shot David Beckham, Elijah Wood, Zinedine Zidane, Bobby Brazier and Elizabeth Day.
What skills and characteristics must you possess to be a successful photographer and where do you think you learned these?
Photography is an interesting one because it requires both personable skills and technical skills. Aside from learning camera settings, lighting and Adobe, you must have good people skills. Being a freelance photographer requires showing up on set with a bunch of people you have never met, working long hours, travelling and collaborating. If you do fashion or portrait photography, the skill of making your subjects comfortable behind the camera and directing them is also important. Being a good photographer is being able to connect with people, whether they are crew, talent or the client. Making an effort with people is the most important part of a successful shoot and in helping you as a photographer to continue to get work.
Although I was taught some technical skills at Art School, most of the knowledge I have is from learning on the job. A combination of assisting other photographers and experimenting on my test shoots.
What are your aspirations for the future of your career?
Currently, I am working towards shooting with bigger publications and brands. I’d love to continue to travel for work. But if we are dreaming big, ideally, my ultimate goal is to photograph Taylor Swift - manifest!
What piece of advice or wisdom would you give to a younger version of yourself just about to leave HSOG, knowing all that you know now?
I’d tell her she’s on the right path, even though there is no path.
Class of 1967 former pupil and BAFTA nominee Paul Mendelson discusses how his love for English was ignited during his time as a pupil at Elmbank Street, inspiring him to take a leap of faith and switch law books for script and novel writing. With many successful TV shows, five novels, three children’s books and potential movie interest under his belt, Paul took the time to get us up to speed on everything he’s been up to since leaving HSOG.
I arrived at The High School of Glasgow in 1963 aged 12, for the start of Second Year, sporting, somewhat apprehensively, a Geordie accent. I left four years later with five Highers and, according to my wife, whom I met shortly after my arrival down south in Wembley (the suburb, not the stadium), a Scottish accent you could cut with a knife.
So, you could say my sojourn in Elmbank Street had some effect. But this wasn’t all I took away with me. Aside from the warmth and the friendship, I was given a love of English and especially Drama. This was thanks to my three wonderful English masters – Mr Paterson, Mr MacCormick and Mr Menzies. They jointly directed the plays I was in and in which, until my voice broke, I played parts any actress would dream of (Titania or St Joan of Arc anyone?).
Although I always yearned to be a writer, common sense taught me to seek more secure employment. So, I studied a Law Degree at Cambridge and was then articled to a small firm in London.
Perhaps it was the time spent at the Old Bailey, or maybe it was that one
particular family law case got under my skin, but I soon realised this path wasn’t for me. From here, I joined a major London advertising agency and spent seventeen happy but frenetic years writing TV commercials. Everything from Heinz Spaghetti to Don’t Drink and Drive
It was whilst filming one commercial that I mentioned to the director (the late, great movie director Nicolas Roeg, responsible for films including Don’t Look Now and The Man Who Fell to Earth) that I wanted to write for TV and showed him a short novel I’d written. He liked it and passed it on to Verity Lambert, the original producer of Doctor Who
To cut a long story short, we made two long-running series together for the BBC. The first, and my first BAFTA nomination, May to December, ran for six years. My background didn’t go to waste – the lead character was a solicitor from Glasgow!
My most recent long-running BBC series, My Hero, starred Ardal O’Hanlon as Thermoman, so nothing autobiographical there!
Since then, I’ve written comedy series both in the UK and Los Angeles
including Neighbors From Hell for DreamWorks Animation, featuring Steve Coogan as Satan, as well as a drama for Radio 4 and ITV - Losing It, starring Martin Clunes.
I was also writing spec (on speculation) scripts for movies but it’s notoriously hard to get original material off the ground. So instead I decided to write novels, which I had always wanted to do, and then script them. The first of these, In the Matter of Isabel, was inspired by the case that caused me to give up law. It was thankfully very well received; the book and my script were immediately bought by Hollywood. However, I’m still waiting for the movie!
I have now written five novels, two collections of short fiction, and two books for children aged 9 and over, with a third out in July 2024, all under the name Paul A Mendelson. (There’s another guy without the ‘A’!)
Now, full circle back to HSOG. In May 1967, I went with a group of Scottish teenagers (some from my class) on a highly subsidised school exchange to Lexington, Kentucky. Over 50 years later, I decided that this could form the basis for a really involving comic/ romantic/dramatic novel. The Forever Moment (2023) garnered me the best reviews I’ve ever had. And yes, there’s movie interest! But I’m too old to hold my breath.
Meantime, I just keep writing. Because I still love it. So thank you those three English masters, and HSOG.
You can purchase a copy of Paul’s novel, The Forever Moment, on Amazon here: www.amazon.co.uk/ Forever-Moment-Paul-Mendelson/ dp/1915603854
For Class of 2015’s Jemma Robertson, the sky is the limit. She graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a Masters honours degree in Business in 2019 and joined her father’s digital marketing agency GRA (formerly Guy Robertson Advertising).
I was 23 when I was launched into this, it’s been challenging, but it’s also really good fun. We have built a great team full of energy and ambition and I look forward to waking up every morning and finding new, innovative ways to deliver value to clients.
GRA specialises in website design and build, branding, social media and search engine optimisation, and has grown its client base across sectors including food manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, construction, storage, property and finance. It’s a nimble agency that is passionate about creative ideas and strategic thinking.
Jemma knew she wanted to work in marketing from the moment she left school so joining her father’s agency after her degree was an easy decision. She never set out to work with her father long term but increasingly found herself becoming more immersed in the role.
She said: “I love people and the idea of being able to shape the way consumers think about goods and services while delivering real, tangible results for clients excites me.”
Jemma was flourishing at the agency when her father tragically died in 2020. This left her with two options: step up and step into the role of a business owner at the tender age of 23 or walk away from her father’s legacy for a clean slate.
Never one to do the easy thing, Jemma believed in herself and took the leap. This move has paid dividends: over the last three years, the digital marketing agency has grown its revenues by about 250% and its profits by about 50%, with the team itself growing too.
Jemma said: “I was 23 when I was launched into this, it’s been challenging, but it’s also really good fun. We have built a great team full of energy and ambition – I look forward to waking up every morning and finding new, innovative ways to deliver value to clients.”
Jemma does a lot of things differently to how she and her father might have done them before, due to advancements in technology and the need to constantly innovate, but she also applies the wisdom he passed on and the need to provide a high level of client service.
“I only got a year with him in a full-time, professional relationship, but there is so much he taught me that I still use every single day.”
Jemma has grand plans for GRA, among them is to take on more big brand businesses and clients working across Europe and internationally. The agency has embarked on an international expansion phase with a series of significant contract wins
in the US tech sector, including Philanthropi, StayTrack and ProceMx.
Jemma added: “While Scotland is very much our home turf, we are aware that there are increasing opportunities in the US, I think simply because it has a more entrepreneurial culture. Brands out there are not afraid to give something a go and experiment, which is exactly our philosophy too. Testing, learning and optimising is one of the best approaches there is, so when we find clients that align with those values, it feels like a match made in heaven and a relationship that is destined to flourish.
“While the US expansion is an important new string to our bow, our focus will remain on becoming a major player in the Scottish advertising scene.”
In times of economic downturn, the instinct is to cut marketing budgets, but Jemma would firmly warn against this: “This approach often backfires as it creates a competitive advantage for those who continue to invest.”
Reflecting on her time at HSOG, she said: “There is a real sense of community and connection within the HSOG family that provides a rock that is always there when you need it. We as former pupils are so lucky to have this, and it is something I appreciate more and more as time passes.”
Wise beyond her years, Jemma’s one piece of advice is to: “Find the ‘thing’ you are good at in life and become the best you can possibly be at that thing. If you don’t know what that thing is yet, try everything until you find it.”
In 2021, after leaving the High School at the end of Fifth Year, Oban Duncan (Class of 2022) began an online MSc degree in Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Management at the University of Hull which she is due to graduate from this July. On top of her studies, she works full time as a Health & Safety Consultant.
Below
Oban discovered a passion for powerboating early in life and is now the UK’s first female E1 powerboat racer, as well as being part of former Chelsea and Ivory Coast footballer, Didier Drogba’s squad. The E1 series is a professional, all-electric, worldwide powerboating championship launched this year. This environmentally conscious form of racing features two drivers in each team, one male and one female, in a bid to reverse what has been a typically male dominated sport. Races take place over a weekend in a number of locations across the globe including Saudi Arabia, Venice, Monaco and Spain. The series culminates in November with a race in Hong Kong, with all the points the teams have accumulated across the season determining who becomes the E1 World Champions.
In addition to competing in E1, Oban has been competing in the British F4 powerboating series since the age of 16. This takes place across the UK and features a similar set up to the E1 series: races happen over a weekend, points are accumulated and the winners are crowned F4 British Champions at the end of the series.
When asked how she first became interested in powerboating, Oban said: “Living in Balloch, I grew up around the water and my mum and dad have always had jet skis and boats. When I was 8 years old, I went to a boating training session designed for children, and the staff involved encouraged
me to enter a competition for kids aged between 8 and 12. I was placed second out of 50 children, many of whom were older than me, as I was only 8 at the time. My family and I really didn’t expect me to do so well as I was so small and everything just went from there really.”
A moment Oban is particularly proud of in her powerboating career so far is becoming the British Champion in 2018 at the age of 12. This was the first year she had started racing in a circuit class against other powerboats. She said: “I didn’t expect to win, I didn’t expect to get anywhere close to winning, I was in it for the experience, so achieving the British Champion title during my first year of competing was incredible!”
Winning isn’t far from this young woman’s mind who has now set her
sights on the E1 World Championship title but has also admitted it would still “be cool” to be placed top three in the world. Meanwhile in the F4 series, she would love to secure the British Championships this year, but it is all to play for.
Oban’s advice to others who are interested in trying out this sport: “Definitely give it a go. At the beginning it can be quite scary and daunting as it’s so different to anything you’ll have likely tried before. There are a whole variety of boats you can drive so do some research, decide what would be best for you and then give it a go! When I was little I was scared of boats but it was definitely worth getting over that initial fear for everything I’ve been able to accomplish so far and the opportunities I’ve had to travel the world!”
Congratulations to Ian Gibson (Class of 2013) and his wife Jessica on the arrival of their baby daughter, Philippa Joy Gibson, on 16th February 2024.
This picture was taken at the PhD graduation in Cambridge for Ian’s older brother, Douglas Gibson (Class of 2009).
Ian and Jessica met at the University of Cambridge, singing in the Downing College Chapel Choir together. The couple wed in 2018.
Living in Swansea now, Ian is a Principal Researcher for Tata Steel UK’s Research and Development department, focusing on the areas of Hot Rolling and Process Control. Meanwhile, Jessica is a Physics teacher at a secondary school.
We would love to share more life updates from our former pupils so throughout the year, should you become engaged, get married, have a baby, get a promotion, start a business, take on a charitable feat, or accomplish another fantastic life milestone, please do email community@hsog.co.uk with your news and pictures to help us to grow our High Points feature and spread the good news!
Professor Gordon Hewitt (Class of 1963) has recently been appointed as Professor of Strategy Practice at the Adam Smith Business School, Glasgow University. He has an international reputation for his leading edge thinking about how organisations can thrive in complex and dynamic environments where futures are very uncertain. ‘Winning in a Game Changing World’ is the title of his highly acclaimed keynote lectures to the international students studying for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Glasgow University.
Much of Gordon’s reputation was developed in both academic and business circles during his long experience as Visiting Distinguished Professor at the Stephen M Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, one of the world’s leading centres for the development of strategic analysis. Gordon has conducted strategic dialogues with directors of some of the world’s leading companies. His work and its impact has earned the royal honour
of a CBE, and Gordon is also a peerelected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE), Scotland’s national academy.
Gordon is looking forward to sharing a lifetime’s work with participants studying for the MBA degree at Glasgow University. He believes that in the globalised world of business education it is important for Glasgow University to see its competitors as major institutions in the USA, Europe and Asia, not just in Scotland.
Former pupil Callum Kerr (Class of 2009) married Katie Kerr (née Hunter) at The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews on 30th March 2024.
Fellow former pupils Tom Kerr (Class of 2006) and Rachel Kinsey (née Kerr) (Class of 2007) were best man and bridesmaid respectively.
There was further HSOG representation from Anthony Kinsey (Class of 2008), who was a groomsman, as well as David Currie (Class of 2009) (son of Helen, former Secretary to the Head Teacher at the Junior School) and David’s wife, who witnessed the ceremony and signed the marriage certificate.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
2023 marked a significant milestone for two former pupils as they celebrated their 90th birthdays during the summer. Unfortunately, shortly after first publishing this story on the HSOG Community website, we were saddened to learn from Alastair’s daughter that her father had passed away in September 2023. In spite of this, we still wanted to feature this in Sursum Semper as it is a truly lovely tale of enduring friendship.
Class of 1951 former pupils, Fraser McQuiston and Alastair Ross, became fast friends from the age of three whilst at HSOG. They remained in touch ever since, despite there being over 10,000 miles between them for 60 years!
Whilst Fraser remained and settled down in Glasgow, Alastair emigrated to Melbourne, Australia in the 1960s. In a sign of true friendship, on multiple occasions Alastair has managed to surprise his good friend during his various trips back to Scotland.
Fraser and Alastair reunited at Gleneagles in 2019 and even made a trip to Old Anniesland to see HSOG as it is today, which we’re sure reignited plenty of fantastic memories along the way.
During their youth, both enrolled in National Service – Fraser in the Royal Army Service Corps and Alastair in
the RAF. Coincidentally, they had an unexpected reunion in London’s Trafalgar Square during their service years.
Alastair went on to pursue a career focusing on agriculture, a love which developed from spending time on family farms in Ayrshire as a young boy. He spent a large portion of his working life with the Australian Wheat Board, but also had roles with Brunnings and Pfizer. Having retired, Alastair found his most joyful employment breeding his beloved West Highland White Terriers, a breed which he later found out originated very close to his family business of Alexander Ross & Son in the Kilmartin Glen, Argyllshire.
Fraser and his brother John (Class of 1947) took over the running of their family’s business – D & J McQuiston – after their father passed away in 1947. Remaining in the credit trade
throughout his career, Fraser later went on to become an auditor before retiring in his late 50s. Nowadays, he lives in the southside of Glasgow with his wife, Sheena, where he still enjoys good health. He is never happier than when he is in his garden or looking for odd jobs around the house.
Between them, they have four children, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren who were all on hand to help the duo celebrate their respective milestone birthdays, Fraser in June and Alastair in July.
Elsa Bell (Class of 1959) shares a fond memory of a reunion that took place 22 years ago and a commemorative quilt produced as a result of it.
In 2002, a group of ‘old girls’ who left The Glasgow High School for Girls in and around 1958, took part in a reunion lunch in Inverness.
The lunch was organised by Janet MacPherson (née Wilson) for a reunion of 14 school friends, many of whom had come up through the school from ages 5 to 7. Elsa recalls: “Very few of us had seen one another since leaving school and we found it interesting to discover the different career paths we each had taken, with my own choice being quite different, that of agricultural science. Janet meanwhile had gone down the education route, becoming a Biology teacher who also held a pastoral role.”
It was a very special reunion for a couple of reasons – two of the group had come all the way from Canada, Margaret Arnason (née Hattrick) who lives in Quebec and Thelma Kulrich (née Carnegie) from Saskatoon.
The second reason for this being a memorable reunion related to the fact that Janet had plans to create a special quilt to commemorate the reunion that had taken place. She
asked all of the ladies present to sign a triangle of fabric during the lunch and she set to work creating a patchwork of memories. The Glasgow High School for Girls’ school motto appears left of centre: Non schola, sed vitae discimus which translates as We do not learn for school, but for life. The name of the Headmistress at the time, Miss Frances Barker, appears on the right with the names of Senior School teachers around the central piece. It also features the signatures of all who were in attendance at the reunion around the outside.
Sadly, Janet died in November 2023 following a short illness and her daughter passed the commemorative quilt on to Elsa, Janet’s friend.
Speaking about the quilt, Elsa said: “It is amazing how seeing this item and the names of our teachers can evoke memories after almost 70 years. This fact alone is hard to believe and I have difficulty accepting my age but I know how fortunate I am to have my health. It’s been so lovely to enjoy memories of a bygone era, both at the reunion over twenty years ago, and more recently after receiving this quilt from Janet’s daughter.”
Pictured, top left and working clockwise, those present at the 2002 reunion lunch:
Amy Ross (née McCreadie)
Margaret Arnason (née Hattrick)
Megan Gore (née McChesney)
Diana Crosher (née Muir)
Shona McQueen (née Allan)
Irene Pyle (née Conkey)
Janet MacPherson (née Wilson) (Deceased 2023)
Elsa Bell
Rosemary Rainbird (née Harker) (Deceased 2015)
Thelma Kulrich (née Carnegie) (Deceased 2023)
Anne Douglas (née Rattray)
Mabel Ross (née Rattray)
Margaret Fear (née Watson)
It’s been so lovely to
enjoy memories of a bygone era, both at the reunion over twenty years ago, and more recently after receiving this quilt from Janet’s daughter.
On 23rd February 2024, the eve of the Calcutta Cup, former Rector and 900 Campaign Chair, Colin Mair, was awarded his Scotland cap, number 1174, at a ceremony held at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
This followed an announcement from Scottish Rugby in August last year that caps were to be presented to individuals who represented their country in matches between 1942 and 1998 which did not carry Test status.
Scottish Rugby President, Colin Rigby, did the honours, bestowing the cap upon Colin, who also enjoyed watching the current Scotland squad’s team run ahead of their victorious clash against England the next day. Colin was among 26 players to be awarded full cap status at this event, and was the final group of 75 players added to the list of Scotland internationalists in recent months.
Colin, whose career at the High School spanned almost 40 years, culminating with his tenure as Rector between 2004 and 2015, represented Scotland in a triumphant 74-9 win against Japan in Tokyo on 18th September 1977. The fullback contributed 30 points to the scoreboard (four penalties and nine conversions) and bagged himself a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most points scored by an individual in a Rugby Union international match. He has since had his record broken by a few players, including twice by Gavin Hastings in 1995.
In September 1976, Colin began his career at the High School, which at the time was located at Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden, teaching Latin and coaching rugby. The aforementioned rugby tour overlapped with the start of the Autumn Term in 1977, which was a significant session in the High School’s history, marking the move to the new Senior School building at Old Anniesland. Eric Harle, the Rector, and the Governors granted Colin leave of absence to take part in the Scotland tour and etch his name in rugby
To be recognised in this way by Scottish Rugby is a true honour. I will treasure this cap and the experience of the ceremony for many years to come.
history. Luckily, a young Colin was able to make it back in time for the Formal Opening of the Senior School on 28 September 1977 by Lord Home of the Hirsel.
Colin had been tasked with organising a Select XV to play the School’s 1st XV in a rugby match to commemorate the opening of the Senior School and even managed to rope in some of his Scotland tour teammates to play on Old Anniesland’s hallowed turf.
Commenting on receiving his Scotland international cap, Colin said: “It is a real honour to be capped as a Scotland international. Whether it was playing for and captaining my club, West of Scotland FC, or playing for my country, rugby gave me endless enjoyment, forged lifelong friendships and created lasting memories. To be recognised in this way by Scottish Rugby is a true honour. I will treasure this cap and the experience of the ceremony for many years to come.”
This sentiment is certainly true, with Colin featured in the Scotland vs Japan match day programme on 13th November 2004 reflecting on his test against Japan in 1977. He was
quoted at the time as saying: “After the match, we were given a watch by Japanese officials. But I would happily have swapped mine for a Scotland cap.”
Despite being retired, Colin is a true linchpin of the communities in which he is a part of. Not only is he a Trustee of the Cricket Development Trust (Scotland) and Chairman of the West of Scotland Cricket Club, he is also chairing The High School of Glasgow’s 900 Campaign, a fundraising campaign launched in 2024, the School’s 900th anniversary year. The campaign aims to raise money to grow its Bursary Fund, to further develop START – a design thinking and entrepreneurship programme, and to ensure the Junior School and Senior School are sustainable campuses.
If you would like to donate to the 900 Campaign, you will find a tear out donation form towards the back of this magazine, or you can donate online on the HSOG Community website should you prefer.
Class of 1993 former pupil, Zoe Fraser (née Young), shares her experience of working within the hospitality industry and the hurdles that the sector is working hard to overcome.
An experience that greatly influenced my career path was my introduction to Home Economics whilst at HSOG. These classes provided me with a practical and basic understanding of food preparation, nutrition and the importance of proper management in the hospitality industry. These classes sparked my interest in the field and made me realise the potential for a rewarding career in the food and beverage sector.
Building on this interest, I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at Strathclyde University. This deepened my knowledge, but also allowed me to network with industry professionals and gain practical experience through internships and placements in both the US and UK.
Over the years, my passion for the hospitality industry grew exponentially. With industry exposure, interactions with work peers and leaders that mentored me further fuelled my desire to excel in this sector. I became determined to make a positive impact and contribute to the success of the industry more widely.
As the current Head of Account Management – Client Services for Entegra UK, a leading Group Purchasing Organisation (GPO), we support the hospitality industry to thrive. Our main responsibilities revolve around minimising costs, streamlining purchasing processes and unlocking substantial savings for our clients.
Whilst my academic background may not necessarily have been the most impressive, my time at HSOG played a monumental role in developing my resilience as well as my leadership and communication skills, all of which have been instrumental in my career.
During my school days, I actively participated in various extra-curricular activities that allowed me to hone my communication skills. I loved being part of athletics, swimming and hockey teams, where I learned the importance of being a team player. Having to become disciplined and dedicated also gave me a sense of responsibility from quite a young age.
Above all, these experiences taught me the importance of effective communication in both personal and professional settings. In my current role, I am constantly interacting with clients, suppliers and internal teams. Being able to clearly convey information, negotiate contracts and build strong relationships is crucial to the success of our business.
Furthermore, my schooling taught me the importance of active listening and empathy. Understanding the needs and concerns of our clients is essential in providing them with the best solutions. By actively listening and empathising with their challenges, I am able to tailor our services to meet their specific
...my time at HSOG played a monumental role in developing my resilience as well as my leadership and communication skills, all of which have been instrumental in my career.
requirements, ultimately building trust and long-term partnerships.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a loving and nurturing family. My parents, always by my side, provided unwavering support. Despite my persistent habit of tagging along during school lunchtime and annoying him incessantly, my brother, Jonathan Young (Class of 1991), remained a reliable source of comfort. I was acutely aware of the blessings bestowed upon me, and the immense luck that graced my life. Something that I recognise more and more as time goes on.
While my academic achievements may not have been exceptional, my education provided me with plenty of tools to excel. The confidence I built has been instrumental in my ability to effectively engage with clients, streamline purchasing processes and deliver substantial savings for our hospitality industry clients.
Resilience is a quality that is often overlooked but is crucial for success
in any field. I certainly faced various challenges and academic setbacks during my school days. However, I learned to persevere and bounce back from these obstacles. I developed the resilience to keep pushing forward, and not let those setbacks define me. This resilience has been invaluable in my career throughout the years and very much so when I reached more senior positions.
I think it’s fair to say that the hospitality industry has, and continues to face, trying times. Throughout Covid and in the aftermath, I have remained committed to providing unwavering support to the industry and supporting the younger generations looking to join the sector. In particular, I’ve been involved with sponsorship to HIT Scotland (Hospitality Industry Trust).
Over the years, I have been exposed to the immense challenges hospitality businesses face, including the impact of Covid, soaring
energy costs and increased product prices. I have dedicated teams offering assistance and solutions to help businesses, whether they be large or small, overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger than ever. Together, we have navigated through these difficult decisions to ensure the continued provision of an industry that is showing signs of ‘bounce back’.
In my experience, whilst academic success is undoubtedly important, it isn’t the sole determinant of professional success. My own journey and career so far have shown me that strong communication skills, developed through experiences at school and extracurricular activities, can play an equally vital role in achieving professional goals. So, for those who may not consider themselves academically inclined, remember that there are many other skills and qualities that can contribute to a successful career. It’s not just about the traditional career paths that we may be steered more towards.
Do please contact community@hsog.co.uk with your news for next year’s edition which will be published Summer 2025.
to answer your
We caught up with Class of 2003 former pupil Emma Steele (née Mitchelson) earlier this year to discuss how her time spent at HSOG encouraged her to realise and pursue her dream of one day writing and publishing her own novel.
I joined The High School of Glasgow in Senior 1, traveling by train every day from a small town on the West Coast of Scotland. I soon found a group of friends I clicked with, one of whom remains a best friend today. Even from a young age, it quickly became apparent that I was in an environment bursting with bright and intelligent people, which served to encourage my own progress.
Having always struggled with Maths, it became clear that English was my strength. I would sit in English classes absolutely riveted as our teacher took us through Death of a Salesman or Return of the Native I loved it – that feeling of stretching my mind and understanding a story better, and it ignited in me the desire to write my own story.
In my Fifth Year I was very ill with glandular fever and for many months spent most of my time either studying or in bed. It was during this challenging time I received an exciting phone call telling me I had won The London Club Essay Prize. I was delighted to have my writing efforts recognised in this way. Yet in the hustle of university applications, all thoughts of writing were put aside to pursue a degree in Law at Aberdeen University. I had a brilliant five years, studying and making amazing friends, before working as a lawyer in Edinburgh.
But, in my spare time I continued writing, regularly attending creative writing classes. After my husband and I had our first child, I realised time was marching on. My passion for writing was only growing and it was clear that I finally needed to try and fulfil a lifelong dream – to write a novel of my own.
And once upon a time, someone had liked my writing and given me a prize. This I’d never forgotten. So, I wrote a book and sent it out to literary agents. They liked my writing but I had work to do evidently: I had to learn the craft and get better, just like I’d done at school.
I went to the workshops and learnt about characterisation, plot, structure and points of view. I started having my work read by other writers, and eventually got accepted into an esteemed course in London. I read constantly and kept aiming high (‘Sursum Semper‘ was the motto after all).
It was with my second book, The Echoes of Us (a Time Traveler’s Wife inspired romance set in Edinburgh), that I found an agent. Together we honed, edited and poured over my words until they shone. Then we went out to editors internationally. We received an overnight six-figure offer from Germany, followed shortly by an Amazon movie option. It felt incredible.
A short while later came another important call – “you have a book deal offer from a UK publisher.”
I’m so happy that I eventually took the leap and followed that first dream, and I would encourage anyone else who is considering doing the same to just give it a shot. You never know where it might lead.
Emma’s debut novel, The Echoes of Us, was published in the UK by Mountain Leopard Press (an imprint of Headline) on 6th June 2024. It is available to purchase at all the usual places – Amazon, Waterstones and all independent bookshops.
Emma is currently working on her third novel, alongside juggling family life. For more information on Emma’s writing journey, please go to www.emmasteeleauthor.com, or you can find her on Instagram @emmasteeleauthor. She is always happy to connect with aspiring writers and help in whatever way she can.
Calling all HSOG former pupils! We want to reconnect with you to hear about where life has taken you since you left school!
We are looking for new contributors to our ReConnect series, a project which promotes the stories of our former pupils and gives them a chance to reflect on their time at HSOG.
Your stories, shared through this initiative, are an invaluable resource for our current pupils as they provide lived experience and advice about working in a variety of different industries. It is a great opportunity to promote your career whilst also sharing advice with the wider HSOG community.
If you’re interested in being a ReConnect interviewee, we’d love to hear from you. All you have to do is complete the following four questions, provide a suitable headshot and email this across to community@hsog.co.uk. 1 2 3 4
What do you do?
How did you get to where you are today?
What is a standout memory of your time at The High School of Glasgow?
What one piece of advice would you give to current pupils and recent leavers as they look to their futures?
Looking for inspiration? Browse some of our contributions here.
Class of 2021 former pupil, Cathal Callan, travelled to Cambodia last year to undertake volunteering work with NGO, Community First. The nonprofit organisation seeks to create local solutions to global problems by collaborating with education, STEM fields and social innovation. During his time in Southeast Asia, Cathal helped implement sustainable farming practices by developing a new aquaponics system as well as a Farm School.
In the summer of 2023, I spent six weeks volunteering with the NGO Community First in Kralanh District, rural Cambodia. I travelled as part of a team of four engineering students from the University of Edinburgh’s Engineering For Change Society. The aim of our trip was to complete the construction of a new aquaponics system in a local village and develop Community First’s Farm School campus.
Aquaponics is a sustainable farming method that combines small-scale fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation. Fish produce nutrient-rich waste in water which is transported by gravity through a filter and then into plant beds containing gravel. This nutrient-rich water runs through the gravel plant beds, eventually reaching a sump tank beneath. The water is then pumped back into the fish tank and the cycle repeats.
Aquaponics yields on average up to three times the crops per square foot compared to typical soil culture, making it particularly effective in north-west Cambodia. The region experiences rainy and hot seasons which make growing most fruit and vegetables in the ground difficult.
Aquaponics systems can operate year-round and provide local families with food (both fish and vegetables) to eat and to sell for profit. By doing so, these systems help tackle the major problems of malnutrition and food security; around 40% of children in Cambodia suffer from stunting as a result of malnutrition.
In addition to the construction of a new aquaponics system in the village of Angkul, the team carried out construction work to help develop the Community First Farm School campus. Two new areas were paved, and an underground drainage pipe was installed in order to help prevent the site flooding in the rainy season. Two overgrown sections of the farm were cultivated and transformed into new pineapple patches with over 150 plants. A new sugarcane patch was planted too.
The team also created a user manual, written in both Khmer and English, to give to families receiving a new aquaponics system. This contained all the information required to operate the system, such as how to care for the fish, identifying nutrient deficiencies in the plants and dealing with pests.
It was amazing to witness the social and economic benefits of aquaponics systems in a local community who faced challenges surrounding food and financial security.
Left: The University of Edinburgh team at Phnom Kulen National Park.
Below: Mrs Thit Pil from Angkul village feeds the fish in the new aquaponics system.
On our days off, we had the opportunity to travel around Cambodia. We visited the capital Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and the spectacular island of Koh Rong Sanloem. We also saw the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat and the beautiful Phnom Kulen National Park. It was important for the team to understand the impact that the Khmer Rouge regime had on Cambodia, so we paid a visit to The Cambodian Genocide Museum – a very emotional and chilling experience.
I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to volunteer in Cambodia. I gained an insight into the environmental challenges of this developing country and gained invaluable hands-on experience. It was amazing to witness the social and economic benefits of aquaponics systems in a local community who faced challenges surrounding food and financial security. Living and working in a local community was an enriching experience, although at times it was challenging. We were exposed to many aspects of a local culture vastly different to our own and shared our wooden hut with mosquitoes, scorpions and huge spiders! Despite these stark differences in local culture, I loved every minute of my time in Cambodia. I am grateful to the Community First team who treated us like family and taught us so much, including some of the Khmer language and Cambodian cuisine! I left Cambodia with new skills, lifelong memories and a deep appreciation for this beautiful country and its people.
Alongside our 900th anniversary celebrations, it has been a busy year for our community, with recent get-togethers marking 50, 30, 15 and 10 year reunions for former High School pupils!
27 members of the Class of 1973 came together at Old Anniesland on Saturday 30th September 2023 to celebrate a special anniversary, marking 50 years since they bid farewell to Elmbank Street!
The celebrations began in the recently opened John Shaw Science Wing, followed by tours led by Head of Senior School, Kenneth Robertson, School Captain, Thom, and House Captains, Leo and Zu-An.
The party enjoyed lunch with a glass of fizz in the Jimmie Ireland Stand as they perused old school photographs and magazines. They even had the pleasure of being joined by former Elmbank Street teacher, Mr Bob Byiers, for a truly unforgettable day.
On Saturday 26th August 2023, former pupils from the Class of 1993 gathered together in the Pavilion to mark 30 years since they bid farewell to The High School of Glasgow.
Joining the group of former pupils were a selection of their former teachers including former Rector, Mr Colin Mair, Mr Peter Douglas and the soon-to-be retiring Mr Paul Toner.
We hope everyone enjoyed catching up and reminiscing on their memories of HSOG!
Members of the Class of 2008 gathered together in the Jimmie Ireland Stand on Saturday 9th September 2023 as they marked 15 years since they left Old Anniesland.
The group enjoyed a range of light bites (provided by School caterers, Compass) and several drinks, before moving over to the Pavilion to continue their evening.
It was a joy to welcome everyone back to HSOG, and we hope you had a truly brilliant time catching up.
Tickets will be on sale soon for the Class of 2012 12 Year Reunion, taking place on Saturday 5th October 2024. Please keep an eye on our HSOG Community website for further details.
If you’d like to arrange a reunion, please email community@hsog.co.uk to see how we may be able to help.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Former pupils from the Class of 2013 celebrated their 10 year anniversary of leaving the School in the Jimmie Ireland Stand on Saturday 16th September 2023.
The evening saw 43 members of the Class of 2013 reuniting over good food and a fair few trips down memory lane!
Each session, we welcome former Junior School staff to the Jimmie Ireland Stand for Afternoon Tea. This year we had 20 former members of staff visit the Senior School on Wednesday 17th April 2024.
We know how much former pupils enjoy seeing the teachers who shaped their formative years so we wanted to share this picture!
Do you recognise all the familiar faces?
The Junior School Former Staff Afternoon Tea, attended by...
Top row from left to right: Mrs Gray, Mrs McManus, Mrs Anderson, Mrs Gillan, Mrs
Bottom row from left to right: Mrs
Former High School pupils came together in London for the Annual President’s Lunch on Friday 6th October 2023.
The Caledonian Club were again the kind hosts of this yearly get-together, with alumni from a range of class years reuniting over a three-course lunch.
The group were joined by the Rector, John O’Neill, Director of External Relations, Karen McDonald, and the then President of the London Club, Tom Kerr (Class of 2006).
We were delighted to host the annual Ex Masters’ Golf Lunch in the Jimmie Ireland Stand on Thursday 5th October 2023.
The seven former members of staff from Elmbank Street – Mr Alastair Grant, Mr Bill Hamilton, Mr Roddy Hood, Mr Derek Mathieson, Mr David Moyes, Mr Tom Rodger & Mr Robert Wright – alongside Senior School Deputy Head, Mr Iain Leighton, took the time to catch up, thoroughly enjoying the chance to reminisce on their time spent teaching at the former boys’ school.
Our monthly Coffee Mornings, hosted in the Jimmie Ireland Stand, are the perfect opportunity for former pupils of Elmbank Street and the Glasgow High School for Girls to come together and share their school day recollections over a breakfast roll and a selection of baked goods.
We’d love to welcome even more members of our FP community to these get-togethers. If you’d like to receive reminders for either of these events, please reach out to the External Relations Team by email at: community@hsog.co.uk, or via telephone on 0141 954 9628. These events are free to attend and take place monthly during term time as follows:
Elmbank Street Coffee Morning - the second Tuesday of every month.
Ladies’ Coffee Morning - the first Wednesday of every month.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Since our 900th anniversary began in January, the School has celebrated this milestone with many members of our community from near and far.
Above Right: Former School Captains & House Captains in attendance at the 900th Anniversary Gala Homecoming Dinner got together for a photo to mark the occasion.
Amongst those pictured are Douglas Boller (Class of 1952), the oldest former School Captain present (standing second from right), and the youngest former School Captain, Adam Atri (Class of 2015) (front row, fourth from right). Douglas travelled from the US to be with us on the evening.
Below Right: Stuart Laing OBE (Class of 1968) with Fred MacAulay.
It all started on Saturday 20 January 2024, with the 900th Anniversary Gala Homecoming Dinner at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, attended by 450 guests. £45,000 was raised for the 900 Campaign on the night thanks to the combination of a live auction hosted by Fred MacAulay, a silent auction, a Hidden Gem competition from Laings and a raffle, not to mention the generous members of our community in attendance.
A real highlight was a rousing rendition of The School Song played on Kelvingrove’s spectacular organ by David Brown (Class of 1991), who had travelled all the way from Australia to attend (pictured middle right).
At the end of February, 200 pupils from Senior 2, Transitus (Primary 7) and Junior 5 swapped their jotters and iPads for spades and saplings to plant 900 trees at the Cathkin Braes.
Across a two day period, the children far surpassed this target, instead planting an impressive 3,600 saplings, four multiples of 900!
Under the guidance of mentors from Glasgow City Council’s Community Woodlands, Greenspace and Biodiversity project and The Conservation Volunteers, children planted hedgerows of holly, blackthorn and hawthorn to encourage biodiversity in the area.
On Saturday 23rd March, former pupils and their families descended upon Old Anniesland to take part in a Rugby Sevens and Hockey Fives Sporting Festival alongside current pupils and staff.
With eight hockey and ten rugby teams in attendance, it was a fantastic morning of sporting action, featuring all types of Scottish weather imaginable: sunshine, showers, rainbows and a few gusty spells, keeping our sportsmen and women on their toes!
On Thursday 19th April 2024, around 200 members of the HSOG community gathered at the City Chambers to attend a Civic Reception hosted by the Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren and Glasgow City Council, to celebrate the School’s 900th anniversary.
Music was woven throughout the evening, with guests treated to a performance from Maya M (S4) on the clarsach, a Celtic harp, as they ascended the marble staircase. In tribute to our Choir School roots, the Chamber Choir filled the City Chambers with choral splendour during the event too.
The evening of the final day of May saw current and former staff come together to celebrate the School’s anniversary with a Staff and Former Staff Homecoming Gathering at Old Anniesland.
It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome many individuals who have been a part of the High School in recent decades back to the School to celebrate alongside those currently raising “the high tradition” before they too “pass it gloriously on”.
Heralding the start of June, the Parent Association and parent volunteers hosted a Midsummer Madness inspired event, HSOGFest, on Saturday 1st June.
This summer gathering was the perfect family day out for current and former pupils and their families, featuring artisan food trucks, refreshments, live music, carnival rides and much more!
Following the magazine’s publication, the final 900th anniversary event of session 2023/24 took place on Monday 17th June, a Whole School Gala Concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. It celebrated the joy of music and showcased the skills of our myriad performers across the Junior and Senior School.
Following the summer holidays, we have a number of events planned next session. These include a 900km sponsored cycle in aid of the Bursary Fund from Wednesday 18th to Thursday 26th September 2024, which will see a cohort of staff and senior pupils testing their endurance skills across a nine day period by cycling from Drewsteignton in Devon to the site of our founding at Glasgow Cathedral.
We hope that many of the High School community throughout the UK will turn out to support, cheer Team HSOG on, or even join them for sections of the route. The current plan will cover the following approximate route over the nine days:
Wednesday 18th September - Day 1: Drewsteington to Glastonbury (126km)
Thursday 19th September - Day 2: Glastonbury to Stroud (107km)
Friday 20th September - Day 3: Stroud to Kidderminster (94km)
Saturday 21st September - Day 4: Kidderminster to Stoke-on-Trent (102km)
Sunday 22nd September - Day 5: Stoke-on-Trent to Todmorden (107km)
Monday 23rd September - Day 6: Todmorden to Sedbergh (115km)
Tuesday 24th September - Day 7: Sedbergh to Carlisle (102km)
Wednesday 25th September - Day 8: Carlisle to Crawford (93km)
Thursday 26th September - Day 9: Crawford to Glasgow Cathedral (73km)
Riders will finish on a special day, our Annual Commemoration & Thanksgiving Service on Thursday 26th September. We plan to increase capacity within the Cathedral to ensure as many members of our community can attend this service as possible, so please do keep your eyes out for more information about this via email and on social media in the lead up to the Service to secure a place.
In October, a Whole School Expressive Arts Exhibition will be hosted at the Senior School, putting the creative talents of our pupils on display and featuring involvement from a number of departments including Art, Drama, Music and Practical Cookery. Details on how to book tickets will be shared in due course.
On Monday 16th December, a special service of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place at Glasgow Cathedral. Once again, more details will be available later this year.
I attended The High School of Glasgow from 1944 until 1953, when it was housed at Elmbank Street. I remember the hot two-course lunches being made and served from the school kitchen to half of the scholars – the capacity limit of the area – while the other half ate cold fare from the large selection offered in the Main Hall. Who was designated which particular type of food was stipulated by a rota, which changed on a weekly basis.
In those days, all teachers wore black gowns, while the Rector wore a mortarboard (a square academic cap) on his head when he was outside of his office.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I recall us leaving school early to make our way to Old Anniesland to practice rugby or cricket, depending on the season. Fortunately for me, after the usual visit to the tuckshop, the No.11 tramcar route was from Old Anniesland to the Sinclair Drive terminus, from where I could walk the short distance home.
During my time at school, the leadership changed from Rector, John Talman, to his replacement, David Lees. I can vividly remember playing competitive contract bridge against
David’s team a few years after I left the High School.
Following my time at the School, I went on to achieve a Higher National Certificate in Metallurgy whilst completing my apprenticeship in the research department of Stewarts and Lloyds (the UK’s largest steel pipe manufacturers at the time, with Scottish plant locations including Tollcross, Coatbridge, Coatdyke and Mossend). From here, I worked at the East Kilbride Rolls Royce plant.
Although the luck of being in the right place at the right time led to two quick promotions, culminating in my appointment as Laboratory Supervisor, I believed that future prospects were dim in comparison to the glowing reports I was receiving from my elder brother, also a former pupil of the High School, who had emigrated to Vancouver, on the west coast of Canada. I therefore made the decision to emigrate too, along with my wife and daughter.
For the next several years, I specialised in failure investigation and non-destructive testing with inspection companies in Vancouver, Calgary and finally Edmonton, as Senior Inspector.
My wife suffered from homesickness and I had promised to return to Britain after ten years if necessary, so we relocated to Surrey where I joined a large engineering contractor as a Senior Surveyor. During this role, I was appointed a specific territory in which I was to survey any supplier who was awarded an order for equipment.
Just over a year later, my wife announced her desire to return to Canada, as she felt strongly that this was home. I was fortunate that my previous employer in Edmonton had a need for a surveyor in Vancouver, and so we made the move.
Due to lack of contracts I was eventually laid off and had to accept a sizeable salary drop to stay employed in my area of expertise. After five years, I finally found a Vancouverbased chemical engineering company with an opening that was a perfect fit for my experience. I stayed with this company until retiring, continuing afterwards as a full-time, and later part-time, consultant since I had
established a number of regular clients.
I have had the good fortune of being able to travel all over Canada and the USA. I’ve also had the pleasure of exploring numerous overseas locations around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Chile, Mexico, Germany, Italy, France and Malaysia.
Altogether, I have accumulated more than 500,000 flight miles, made over 30 cruises, visited 34 countries and 38 US States. The vast majority of my adventures were made possible as a result of my career, something which I thoroughly enjoyed. For me, this has always been my number one goal as I couldn’t imagine being in a dissatisfying job which made me unhappy!
At the age of 84, I fully retired. But to this day, and five years later, I still enjoy travelling and will be embarking on my fourth Kenyan safari this summer, along with my two youngest children.
We have a community of thousands of former pupils which extends worldwide from the UK to all corners of the globe, including the USA, Australia, Bermuda and various countries across Europe.
We are always looking to grow our worldwide network so please do get in touch. We love to hear where life has taken you since you left HSOG but we know how easy it is to lose touch when you relocate, change address or update your email address. Luckily, it is incredibly easy to reconnect with us by using our online contact form.
If you haven’t heard from us in a while, it’s likely that we don’t have your most up-to-date details. Complete our online form today by scanning the QR code below with the camera on your phone or tablet.
Alternatively, you can visit our website: www.hsogcommunity.co.uk/ update-former-pupil-contact-details
by Brian Dawson, Class of 1959
Class of 1959 former pupil, Brian Dawson, has clocked up some serious travel miles over the years, exploring countries in all corners of the globe.
I was a pupil at the High School from 1950 to 1958, following in the footsteps of my father and my uncle. My sister attended the Girls’ High School. At the Junior School, Miss Ralston was my first and best teacher. She was a bit like Miss Jean Brodie, strict but supportive. I received from her the only prize I ever won. It was for my Geography notebook and even at that early date, it signified my interest in travelling. I have, to date, visited 55 countries.
I was disappointed not to have sufficient Highers to go to university and so I became a quantity surveyor and attended evening classes in Psychology where I learned about Mensa, the organisation for those of high IQ. I subsequently passed the test for Mensa and, thus encouraged, passed my quantity surveying exams and, over five years, became a chartered surveyor.
Not getting much satisfaction from quantity surveying, I moved to London where I worked with Building Design Partnership, the first multi-discipline design group in the UK. This was much more stimulating and was the precursor to a future multi-discipline linked career. One of the projects I worked on was the students’ accommodation at Surrey University.
I later became a lecturer at Regent Street Polytechnic (now the University of Westminster). During this time, and having long holidays, I managed many extra-curricular activities, including achieving a BA degree from the Open
University in, amongst other subjects, Psychology.
After some years of lecturing, I, along with my girlfriend, decided to take a year off and drive to Nepal. We bought an old Volkswagen Kombi for £50, built a bed and table from a couple of old doors, scrounged a second-hand gas stove and set off. I called it ‘calculated risk taking.’
We spent a few weeks in Berlin before spending a month driving around Greece. We then excitedly crossed the Bosphorus Strait and arrived in Turkey. Iran was next, followed by Afghanistan. Although Afghanistan was a poor country, we found the people friendly, warm and welcoming, despite the numerous, usually ancient weapons being carried. In Herat and Kabul, we were welcomed and spent many hours enjoying tea and conversation with shopkeepers and others, including a government minister who invited us to his home.
The most exciting place, perhaps in the whole trip, was Bamiyan, in Afghanistan. After a difficult, bumpy drive on unsurfaced roads rising to a height of over 13,000 feet, we arrived at Bamiyan at 8,500 feet. We saw the tallest carved rock image of the Buddha in the world (pictured, right). For a small fee, we obtained the key to a series of tunnels and steps to arrive at the top, where we were able to stand on his head. What a magnificent sight! As was widely publicised, the Buddha was sadly destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
We spent several weeks in Afghanistan and arrived in Pakistan driving through the dangerous Khyber Pass to be welcomed by American friends in Rawalpindi. A bath and a gin and tonic were heaven after four months in our van. Pakistan proved interesting, especially in the mountainous region of the Northwest Frontier.
India was everything. We explored Delhi, Rajasthan, the Thar desert, Agra and Allahabad. The highlight was, of course, the Taj Mahal (pictured, opposite page). We parked the van at the entrance and stayed there overnight which gave us a magnificent sunrise picture as we rose in the morning.
We reached Nepal in late December 1970 and had our first glimpse of Mount Everest on Christmas Eve. Kathmandu was a wonderful experience, having only been open to overseas tourists relatively recently. The Hindu temples were a magnificent sight and the people most friendly. The ever-present Himalayas loomed large over everything.
Unfortunately, our trip was cut short due to my mother’s ill health. She was unwell before we set off, but hearing that she had been given three months to live several months earlier I hurried home, arriving just in time to spend the final two weeks of her life with her.
I later took a sabbatical year from lecturing, where I obtained an MSc in Environmental Psychology from the University of Surrey. Deciding to take
another calculated risk, I resigned from my lecturing job at the Polytechnic and joined friends in the Canadian Rockies where I took up a job at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
We had a wonderful ski season and were fortunate to ski every day. Each morning, we worked on the house helping to renovate it and every afternoon we drove to the ski fields. A wonderful bonus was seeing the aurora borealis on several occasions. Awe inspiring!
At the end of the ski season, we made our way to Vancouver Island, boarded our friends’ yacht and made our way up the ‘Inside Passage’ on Canada’s west coast, visiting some wonderful remote and beautiful places along the way. Perhaps the most exciting was the Queen Charlotte Islands, 100 miles off the coast. The wonderful thing was that the local Haida indigenous people were the dominant force, and it was uplifting to see the culture and attitude of the locals who ran everything with heads held high.
Further north, we visited the northernmost coastal town in British Columbia, Prince Rupert, before arriving in Alaska. En route to the capital, Juneau, we anchored in many beautiful, empty fjords often with majestic snowcapped mountain backgrounds. In several there were glaciers often
shedding mini glaciers, which provided us not only with fresh water but fresh ice for our daily 6 o’clock gin and tonic.
Autumn rapidly approached and so we headed south, arriving into San Francisco under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge after 21 days. It was exciting to moor at the famous Saint Francis Yacht Club.
After about a year away from home, I made the decision to board a plane to Sydney and join my girlfriend, Jennie, who’d returned to her home city. She’s now been my wife for 43 years and we have two grown up children and three grandchildren. Given I was only granted a six-month visa, we married on the lawns of her parents’ house the day before my visa was due to expire. My best man was John Wingate (Class of 1959), a High School friend who had emigrated to Australia in the sixties. We all wore kilts and had a Scottish piper in attendance. I still see John from time to time. He lives only 40 minutes away.
I did eventually emigrate to Sydney, where I’ve lived since 1980. In this time, I’ve travelled extensively with family and work, completing over 100 flights a year as part of my job in value management – a facilitated “think tank” process aimed at improving any system, project or organisation.
I built my own home in a suburb of Sydney and made sure it had a workshop so that I could pursue my woodworking interests. I have continued that activity to this day and have exhibited in a number of Australian cities. I had my first solo exhibition in Sydney in 2023.
Always interested and active in photography, I was fortunate that the gallery who had displayed my woodwork offered to showcase my photographs from my earliest travels, 48 years after the adventure took place. The exhibition was entitled ‘Afghanistan 1970’.
Skiing and sailing have remained two passions of mine, and I consider myself lucky to have skied almost every year for more than 50 years, in both Australia and further afield. I also owned a beautiful 42-foot sailing catamaran for 35 years, which allowed us to explore more locally.
I still travel extensively, with visits to Europe and Scotland most years. Last year I visited, for the first time, the “new” High School at Old Anniesland and was given a warm welcome. I hope to visit again later this year.
If there is a message in my story it is this: being a high achiever is not the be-all-and-end-all of a fulfilling life. My message is to those in the majority who are not achieving the highest grades. Excelling in academic subjects will not necessarily bring fulfillment, even if it may aid in reaching the top of a profession or a business. Of much more value is achieving a balanced life with work, play and family having equal importance, attaining a feeling of worthwhileness and finding a life of satisfaction. I would say: if you are not happy in your work, look for another job. There will always be opportunities. There are many branches in the road. Please don’t take the easier one. Accept the challenge!
Class of 1963 former pupil, Rosalind Woolfson, has certainly made strides in the world of fashion. From being an instrumental part of the team responsible for London Fashion Week, to representing fashion icons including Giorgio Armani and Bruce Oldfield (the latter of whom she remains in touch with to this day), to organising an incredible fashion show on the Great Wall of China, Rosalind’s experience in the fashion industry is vast. Later establishing her own PR company – Woolfson Communications – Rosalind then relocated back to Scotland for what she describes as “a less frenetic life.”
I checked that the model was wearing the Bruce Oldfield silk suit correctly as she set off down the runway, just a standard part of a fashion show it might appear. Except that the ‘runway’ was the Great Wall of China and the model was being filmed, in May 1988, by the BBC Clothes Show programme. We had travelled from Beijing to Hangzhou to Shanghai and back to Beijing filming the story of silk and its production. At that time, China was just starting to develop into the modern country it is today, so locations such as the Bund on the Huangpu river in Shanghai were still pretty much unchanged. We stayed in the Peace Hotel, formerly the Cathay, which was still as it had been in the 1930s when Noel Coward and Charlie Chaplin were guests. In Beijing and Hangzhou, the hotels we stayed in were new and modern, and our transport was always in Mercedes saloons. The BBC production team included the designer, Jeff Banks, as the programme presenter.
Since the mid-1970s, I had been responsible for the Public Relations and Promotion of silk in the UK as part of a private five country initiative, also operating in France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany, and funded by the China Silk Corporation, to increase the use and awareness of silk. China
being the world’s largest producer of silk yarn and undyed silk cloth, every designer silk dress, scarf or tie woven and printed in Europe had its origins in Chinese silkworms. For example, the fabric of the Emanuel wedding dress of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, was woven from Chinese yarn in Sudbury in Suffolk.
Having worked with The Clothes Show programme team on various projects, such as going to Milan to interview Giorgio Armani when I was handling the PR for the opening of the Emporio Armani stores in the UK, I asked the China Silk Corporation if the programme could film the story of silk in China. And, of course, being the BBC, there was no need for explanations. The BBC name spoke for itself and the requisite formal invitation was issued immediately.
At that time, I was in a senior position at Shandwick, then the world’s largest PR group and had built a division working in fashion, fine art and antiques.
In 1984, we were asked to be the PR consultants for a new highly select fashion trade exhibition taking place in the newly built modern extension of the Olympia Exhibition Hall in London. The British Designer Show
During the five-year run of the Show, in spring and autumn we welcomed journalists from many countries, including some of the most renowned fashion writers from the USA.
was the beginning of London Fashion Week, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. During the five-year run of the Show, in spring and autumn we welcomed journalists from many countries, including some of the most renowned fashion writers from the USA. It was also the time when the UK Government began to take an interest in the top levels of fashion as an important ‘flag waver’ for the country. To that end, the Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher, hosted a number of receptions at 10 Downing Street celebrating Fashion Week in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The Government held a reception at Lancaster House in 1984 and the British Fashion Banquet at Fishmongers Hall in 1986, all of which I attended as part of the Fashion Week organising team.
I was a pupil at The Glasgow High School for Girls between 1950 and 1961. I left a year early to go to school in Florence, Italy. Back home, I became a student at Glasgow School of Art for a year, then decided that was not for me so I joined the Marks & Spencer Junior Management Training Scheme which led me to Head Office in London’s Baker Street as a member of the Public Relations and Promotions Team.
When I decided, after some time, that I did not want to follow the standard M&S career path into the merchandise divisions, I joined Shandwick before setting up my own company, eventually returning to Scotland.
A dedicated and talented hockey player whilst at HSOG, Class of 2022 former pupil, Zara Kennedy, got us up-to-speed on her hockey career, which she currently juggles alongside her degree at the University of Edinburgh. With the possibility of representing Scotland on the horizon this year, we were excited to hear about Zara’s progress.
I look back with great fondness on my years at HSOG. From the beginning of Senior School, hockey became an important part of my life and has remained so to this day. When I reflect on my school days, it’s clear that having the opportunity to develop and flourish by playing school hockey has significantly contributed to my success, whilst also providing me with a wonderful host of memories and some of my closest friendships.
Winning the U15 Scottish Cup during my Second Year and captaining the 1st XI to winning the West District Tournament and the Scottish Indoor Cup are undoubtedly some of my favourite memories. I was also fortunate to play and progress through district and national programmes alongside many other incredibly talented girls.
After leaving the High School, I decided to further my studies and hockey career at the University of Edinburgh. In part, I chose Edinburgh due to its fantastic opportunities, support systems and exceptional facilities available to high performance athletes. It was evident that the encouragement I received, and skills I honed from the hockey programme at HSOG contributed massively to my development as a hockey player and therefore it seemed like a natural progression.
At the beginning of my second year of university, much to my surprise and excitement, I was invited to become a member of the Senior Women’s Hockey Squad. Whilst I was delighted to be training, it was also a huge step up for me and took me several months to adjust to the physical demands of playing at a
senior level. Making the jump from U21 to Senior Women at the age of 19 was daunting because it was one of the most challenging turning points in my hockey career.
At the start of 2024, I played my first senior games against Spain. I scored my first senior goal during our matches against Wales a little more recently. Putting myself in situations out of my comfort zone is something I’m not particularly good at. However, I’ve found this to be the key to unlocking my potential and now I find myself rising to challenges both within myself, and as a player, more readily.
My training continues with the squad as there are a couple of important tournaments happening later this year. Two in particular are the U21 Euros in July and the Senior Women’s
Become a part of HSOG Lifelong Connections and enjoy the many benefits this private LinkedIn group has to offer:
Connect with fellow members of the HSOG Community
Utilise the networking opportunities and connect with like-minded individuals from similar industries
Advertise new job opportunities within your company for free
European Qualifiers held in Scotland in August. I’m hopeful that I’ll be lucky enough to represent my country in one of these major tournaments.
I am incredibly grateful to a number of the teachers at the High School, particularly Mrs Cox, for all of their support in the early stages of my hockey career. Mrs Cox was one of the first people to notice my potential and pushed me to pursue opportunities that I believed were outside my capabilities.
Right now, I’m still in the early stages of my hockey career, and whilst the future is uncertain, I’m sure that if I continue to push myself out of my comfort zone, and believe in my own abilities, I will have an exciting hockey career ahead.
Take advantage of mentorship opportunities, either as a mentor or mentee
Stay up to date with our latest events and book tickets
Reconnect with your former school, we’d love to hear from you
Become a member of HSOG Lifelong Connections on LinkedIn today!
Richard Orr, Class of 1957 and Classics Teacher at the School from 1965 to 1969, provides an insight into his varied life and career.
I joined The High School of Glasgow from Netherlee Primary in 1951 where I was dux and I remember marvelling at all the gown-clad teaching staff at Elmbank Street. In 1957 I became School Captain, classical dux and Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) in the School Cadet Force. Alongside a range of interesting and responsible duties, highlights from my school days included a proposal I put forward to the Rector, David Lees, which resulted in chartering the paddler Caledonia to Brodick in Arran, and participation in the highly popular Prefects’ Concert.
1957-63 saw me reading Classics and Law at Glasgow University whilst spending summers as Assistant Purser, first on the Arran and Ayr sailing on the little turbine, Marchioness of Graham, and then seven seasons “Doon the Watter” on Queen Mary II
I started teaching Classics in 1964 at Hyndland Secondary School, moving to The High School of Glasgow in 1965 where I taught Classics for four years, trialing new methods, organising walks, climbs and Classics outings. Highlights from this time included a repeat charter of Caledonia in 1967, the annual five-day Easter hikes along Hadrian’s Wall complete with hostel stays and a school summer trip to Italy and Sicily by train and hostel in 1968. I have the High School to thank for several lifelong friends made during this time.
1969 saw me move to Hillpark Secondary as Principal and soon after I was appointed as Adviser in Classics for the city, the first such post in the UK.
My time as Adviser was a pleasure, though demanding. I promoted Classics across the city, mounting inservice training and introducing Classical Studies courses, which culminated in a successful bid to have the subject included in the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) examinations. I also ran various trips and activities for pupils: Cosmo cinema shows of Quo Vadis, Electra and Jason and the Argonauts proved popular. In the early 1970s I found myself in a Scottish Education Department (SED) Working Party which led to my inclusion in the Scottish Classics Group responsible for writing Ecce Romani, a Latin course for secondary schools. This work went on into the new millennium and the course is still going strong, especially in the private sector and parts of the USA. During this time, I also ran a series of minibus trips for pupils, students and FPs, taking us to Greece, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, visiting significant sites like Nemrut Dagi, Palmyra and Persepolis.
The creation of Strathclyde Region in 1975 brought a great expansion in my field of activities. My Classics work continued apace but new interests flourished. School educational sailings on Queen Mary II, of course, from
Above: Richard as HSOG Classics Teacher, 1965-69
Left: P S Caledonia taken from ‘Clyde Steamers Remembered’ by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (Scottish Branch), date unknown
Below: Richard during his time as a pupil at the School, 1951-57
Glasgow to Brodick and Rothesay were well supported. Job Creation enabled me to enlist two young people to commence collecting school items for a Museum of Education and the resulting material was the basis for the regional museum which I helped to locate in Scotland Street School. But the greatest change was involvement in Urban Aid, allocating moneys to projects in education, social work and the voluntary sector and creating a brand new register of these. Further recognition came with the invitation to serve on the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland from 1975 to 1978.
1988 brought the Garden Festival to Glasgow and here I was asked to handle the organising of school events across the region as well as advising on aspects of Strathclyde’s Roman Pavilion and Garden. This was followed by a similar role with events for Glasgow’s 1990 Capital of Culture. After these two major commitments, it was a relief to return to Classics matters!
The end of Strathclyde Region in 1995 meant a return to a more limited role and I retired in 1997. Work with the Scottish Classics Group continued, and we contributed the language element in the new Open University Latin course. An unusual departure in spring 1998 was attendance at a Latin course at Montella in Italy where a Scottish colleague and I explained the principles of Ecce Romani to some
70 international delegates. This was done in Latin and a Q&A followed, also in Latin. This was a testing experience! I later turned my attention to publishing three books based on diary memories. First was The Marchioness of Graham: A Purser’s Log, next came Aboard Queen Mary II and finally Persepolis from Glasgow in a School Bus, recording that memorable trip through Europe, Turkey, Iraq and into Iran on The High School of Glasgow bus lent to us courtesy of Rector David Lees.
My interest in the Clyde and the West of Scotland remains strong and the return of my old ship Queen Mary, and her planned return to sailing, is a boost. My wife and I travel regularly, with archaeology and history continuing to have their place in my life, together with family occasions involving our children and their families. My photographic collection is considerable and occupies a prominent place in my activities.
But the High School is never forgotten. Besides occasional meetings with past pupils, I joined some 40 fellow school leavers of 1957 at a dinner in September 2007 at Old Anniesland and, more recently, in August 2023, I was invited to a gathering of pupils from the Class of 1967 for lunch in Glaschu at the Western Club. Many of the party hailed from my S5 form class.
Memories linger.
by Martin Young, Class of 1954
When the Second World War broke out on 1st September 1939, I was four years old. These are some of my earliest childhood memories.
I vividly remember being on a train, in a compartment sitting on my mother’s knee, looking out of the window to my right. There is some consternation because the guard tells us to pull the blind down. As father does so, I cry. I think that memory is fixed in my brain because a fuss had underlined the event.
The train was heading from Edinburgh to Glasgow. My father worked in the shipping industry and we had moved to Scotland to be near the Clyde and the Forth, where bulk food cargos were imported. Having bought a house at 36 Bradfield Avenue in Kelvindale for about £400, this is where I spent my younger years. The house was semi-detached, two-up and two-down, and featured a brick and concrete boiler with a fire grate underneath for boiling the laundry. To complete the picture, there was also a mangle with a great wheel to turn the rollers, and thus wring the washing, which would then be hung on the ‘lazy Susan’ to dry.
I counted exactly nine steps from the front gate to our front door. We had an iron gate accompanied by pretty little iron railings decorating the brick walls at the front. I dwell on this because our whole street shortly lost their gates and iron railings to aid the war effort. At this point, it was clear that Glasgow was getting on war footing.
During wartime, my memory of the noise of the guns from the barracks at Maryhill, as well as the enemy aircraft in the night sky, will never fade. I was on a make-shift bed under the table, with my parents and cousin John by the front door. Enemy aircraft were frequently caught by search lights, and I can recall being terrified. The bombing of Clydebank in March 1941 resulted in many casualties. The constant sounds of machine guns firing and the “bam, bam bam” from the barracks were deafening.
Talk now turned to evacuation from the cities in order to avoid the bombing. We left before the rush, and this was the start of my life in the country. I can remember being in our car, a rarity in those days, north of Glasgow and then reaching the village of Drymen. We asked around to see if anyone would take us in. The next thing I knew, we were driving up a bumpy road to Blairmore Farm on Aberfoyle Road where Mrs McAlister, bless her, welcomed us with open arms.
During the years that followed, I knew very little of the War. I attended Buchanan School, on the road to Balmaha. Whilst my mother and I stayed at Mary McFarlane’s house, my father was working for the Food Ministry. The bus which took me to school was ancient, even then (a door for each bench seat!). I remember having to be lifted up, whilst the older children clambered up the running board.
We later rented the top floor of a farmhouse on Buchlyvie Road and I attended the small school at Auchentroig with Isobel, Peggy, Alan, Murray and “wee Helen”. I’m still in touch with Helen to this day, she now lives in Stirling. All five of us walked the two miles to and from school in the beauty of summer. During the dark winters, we would catch the Glasgow bus to Auchentroig.
In 1945, I joined The High School of Glasgow at Elmbank Street as a new boy in Miss Barrie’s Junior 2 class. I remember her writing on the board that Monday “12.3.45” and saying, “Remember this date, it won’t happen again in our lifetime.” l was about 10 years old at the time, dressed in a uniform comprising a brown and gold blazer, tie, cap and short trousers of course.
I would take the Number 10 tram to Elmbank Street from Kelvinside (I would ask for a penny half fare). The trams were crowded in the mornings, but pretty empty in the afternoons. We had to be in school by 9:00am with Juniors allowed to leave school at circa 3:30pm.
Some very fond recollections still come to mind of my time at the High School, with names including Able, Fletcher, Jare, Mowat, Stevenson, Taylor and so on still burning brightly in my memory.
by James Cook, Class of
In the immediate post-war era, one of the outstanding Glasgow High School (GHS) members of staff was Henry (“Harry”) David MacGill. He came to the School as Principal Teacher of Music in January 1946 and under his leadership, music flourished.
Harry was born in Cathcart in 1898 and was one of three sons of George Buchanan MacGill and Annie Campbell MacGill (née Barrie). At the time of his birth, Harry’s father was described as an insurance clerk but in the 1911 census this had changed to ‘manufacturer’s agent (millinery)’. Harry’s father had been a pupil at GHS as had Harry’s younger brother, George. It appears, however, that neither Harry nor his older brother, James, were pupils at the School.
In the 1921 census, Harry is listed as living with his younger brother at Albert Road, Langside and Harry’s occupation was described as ‘insurance clerk, Liverpool & London and Globe Insurance Company’. Subsequently, however, Harry became a professional musician, gaining the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in January 1940. In the examinations he achieved the highest marks in the paperwork section and, as a result, he was awarded the College’s Harding Prize.
His early teaching career began at Bell Baxter School in Cupar, Fife, and there, in 1935, he married Dorothy Gleig, a farmer’s daughter from Wormit, who was also a teacher. They were blessed with a son, Stewart, who became a pupil at GHS, and a daughter, Dorothy.
Harry joined the staff at GHS from Hyndland Senior Secondary School, and he approached his subject with enthusiasm and a great belief in the power of music in developing a wellrounded, educated person. When he joined the School there was only one orchestra. By the time he retired, in August 1964, there were three orchestras drawn from some 130
boys receiving instrumental tuition. The first orchestra played every Friday at the morning assembly which helped to maintain the profile of music within the School. The high quality of the school concerts did the same externally.
I vividly recall listening to Harry playing the piano in Miss Nina’s classroom in 1952 and I was bowled over by the magic of his musicianship. This kindled my interest in music and a burning desire to learn to play the piano and, eventually, the organ.
My friend, and GHS contemporary, Bill Eddie, who joined the School in 1957, writes:
“Harry MacGill came from a generation of musicians who experienced music in the widest sense, often taking external qualifications rather than embarking on post school degree courses. This resulted in the broadest ability in performing, conducting, composing and teaching. I remember, for example, his rigorous methods in harmony, theory and aural teaching, skills essential for musical literacy. These traditional skills are now considered less important with the rise of performance bias in academic courses. His encouragement in practical skills was legendary: the success of GHS in choral and instrumental classes in the Glasgow Music Festival was tremendous. The status of music in GHS equalled that of rugby, art and drama. Harry, along with his splendid colleagues in the music department, was a very strong influence on my own desire to embark on a teaching career.”
Harry was a church organist for 60 years, initially at South Shawlands Parish Church and then, for 37 years, at New Kilpatrick Parish Church, Bearsden, one of Scotland’s largest congregations. He was greatly respected within the organist fellowship and served as President of the Glasgow Society of Organists from 1947-48.
Harry lived at 54 Stirling Drive, Bearsden and enjoyed a long retirement. He died in 1989, aged 91. At his memorial service – held in New Kilpatrick Parish Church – the then minister, Alastair Symington, said:
“Harry had character and personality. He had a verve for life and he loved people. To the very end he took a keen interest in the things we were doing – always ready to spot the positive and to question the questionable.”
In the time I spent at GHS there was no other teacher who had a greater influence, and I am immensely grateful to Harry for his mentoring, his encouragement and his generosity.
You may already be aware of our HSOG History series, which launched at the start of this year to showcase our School’s long and illustrious history. In tandem with International Women’s Day in March, we conducted some research into several notable female former pupils including Catherine Roy CBE, whose story is explored below.
If you’d like to read any of the previous instalments of HSOG History, please visit the News section of our Community website: www.hsogcommunity.co.uk.
Born in January 1883, Catherine Murray Roy entered into the world of nursing at a time when this was still considered an unusual profession for women. Rather than opting for hospital service, Catherine chose the army, largely because it offered more attractive pay, but also because she was attracted to the travel opportunities involved.
The start of World War I in 1914 saw a small group of nurses, including Catherine, stationed in France with the British Expeditionary Force. The nurses faced battlefield conditions and were tasked with treating devastating injuries endured by soldiers on the front lines, from shrapnel wounds to amputations, as well as trying to contain the spread of diseases.
Catherine’s service in the early stages of the war meant she qualified for the 1914 Star and the nickname ‘Old Contemptible’. She served in many major campaigns during the fouryear war, including the Battle of the Somme in 1916. By October 1917, she was awarded the Military Medal for ‘conspicuous gallantry displayed in the performance of her duties on the occasion of hostile raids on Casualty Clearing Stations in the Field’.
On the conclusion of the war in 1918, Catherine had become a Sister and stayed on in France to nurse victims of the Spanish influenza epidemic. Several awards followed over the next few years – the Medal for Epidemics in Silver Gilt in March 1919 and the Royal Red Cross 1st Class in January 1920. The latter was an award specifically for nurses which was introduced at the behest of Queen Victoria in 1883.
Catherine continued working as an army nurse in countries across the world, including Syria, China and Hong Kong. By 1934, she was appointed Principal Matron at the War Office before becoming Matron-in-Chief of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, the most prestigious post in the service.
Following her retirement in 1940, Catherine moved back to Scotland where she befriended the artist Elizabeth Mary Watt, one of the famous ‘Glasgow Girls’, who painted the portrait shown opposite of Catherine in her nursing uniform wearing her medals.
The information relating to Catherine Roy was sourced from ‘The Antiques Roadshow: World War 1 in 100 Family Treasures’ by Paul Atterbury. To read more you can purchase a copy of the book via Waterstones.
Left: The unbeaten 4th XV Rugby Team of 1961, with headmaster David Lees. This team formed the core of the equally successful 1st XV of 1963.
The photo includes five team members who later played for the 1st XV Glasgow High School Former Pupil Rugby Club, later changed to Glasgow High Rugby Football Club, who played in the top tier of Scottish senior rugby – Graham Barnes, Hamish Howie, Bob McPhail, John McNee and Alan Robertson. Also included is Bobby Clark, who went on to play as a goalkeeper for Aberdeen and Scotland.
Above: The Class of 1967 School Council, who still meet once a year. Submitted by Ian Rowan (Class of 1967).
Left: A portrait of Catherine Murray Roy CBE, whose story is explored on the opposite page.
We love to hear from our former pupils, particularly when they share their own photographs from their school days with us. Have you stumbled across some photos from your time at HSOG? If so, then please do email us at community@hsog.co.uk and share your memories with us!
The High School Club purchased land at Old Anniesland in the 1920s, which they transformed into playing fields for both the use and enjoyment of the Club and the former High School at Elmbank Street. However, when Elmbank Street was faced with the prospect of closure in the 1970s, plans were put into action to establish a “new” High School on the grounds at Old Anniesland.
Having come to an arrangement with Drewsteignton School in Bearsden, the Club Limited submitted an application to Glasgow Corporation for outline planning permission on 27th June 1973. Their hopes were to erect a new secondary school at Old Anniesland by 1977.
However, these plans came to a halt when the Policy Committee (the Executive of the Labour administration at the time) sought clarity on the future need of the land. The Committee relied on the Club’s application, which indicated they
did not require the full area of the playing fields as open space, hence their application was for a re-zoning for building purposes. Arguing that there was a lack of open spaces in Glasgow, the Committee refused the outline planning permission on 30th October 1973.
By this time, the Club had already lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State in September due to the failure of the planning authority to determine the outcome of the application within the statutory twomonth period. A subsequent Inquiry was set up. Arguments put forward by the Committee declared that if the land at Old Anniesland was to be repurposed it should be re-zoned to public open space, which it said Glasgow lacked. This line of argument was deemed insufficient, particularly because the local authority had, the year before, granted permission for the new Whitehill School to be built upon lands previously designated as playing fields.
As a result, the Secretary of State agreed to sustain the Club’s appeal in June 1974 (50 years ago, this year), meaning that permission was granted for the erection of the “new” High School.
In September 1977, the Senior School was opened at Old Anniesland following the successful completion of construction by William Gordon & Co. Limited. Lord Home of the Hirsel (former UK Prime Minister, 1963-64), officially opened the new building on 28th September. This was followed by a dedication by the Rt Rev John R Gray, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, previous School Chaplin for Elmbank Street and former pupil.
The information provided above was sourced from Brian Lockhart’s book ‘The Town School’, available for purchase from our online shop: www.hsogcommunity.co.uk/shop
We are saddened to record the following former pupils who have passed away, and for whom we have received notification of their passing between June 2023 and May 2024:
Alasdair Bain Class of 1974
Ashwin Bali Class of 2015
Marjorie Bannerman (née Walker) Class of 1955
Donald Barr Class of 1960
Dr John Boyd Class of 1958
Dr Craig Bridges Class of 1968
John Brierley Class of 1948
James Campbell Class of 1961
Professor Henry Caplan Class of 1953
James Clarkson Class of 1950
John Crawford Class of 1951
Douglas Fergus Class of 1957
Gordon Fergusson Class of 1972
Dr William (Morton) Fyfe Class of 1940
Ian (Ross) Gibbons Class of 1955
Reverend John (Leslie) Goskirk Class of 1956
Alexander (Gordon) Grant Class of 1954
Robin Hagart Class of 1953
Caryl Harwood-Matthews Class of 1955
Ron Hockey Former Head of Science & Chemistry
Charles Hodgson Class of 1957
Thelma Kulrich Class of 1959
David Lander Class of 1981
Elliot Lang Class of 2021
Graeme Lang Class of 1983
Robert Law Class of 2023
Brian Leighton Class of 1959
Janet MacPherson (née Wilson) Class of 1958
Charles Martin Class of 1953
Alexander (Ross) McKendrick Class of 1968
James McMillan Class of 1959
Iain McPhail Class of 1976
Ronald (Scott) McRae Class of 1958
Alan Muir Class of 1959
Alexander (Lindsay) Ogilvy Class of 1944
Alexander (Alastair) Ross Class of 1951
Wilma Skinner Class of 1963
Norman Thomson Class of 1955
David Webster Class of 1960
James (Bunny) Wilson Class of 1950
Former Pupil (Class of 1955)
11th September 193630th March 2024
Ian Ross Gibbons attended The High School of Glasgow at Elmbank Street from 1945 to 1955 and enjoyed a firstclass school career, culminating in the Rector, Dr David Lees, noting in the leavers’ book: “An excellent Prefect. Sound, reliable worker. Friendly manner, good appearance, mature in outlook.”
At that point, Ross had been Sports champion, an outstanding member of the 1st XV, played for Scottish Schools vs England, and as a schoolboy, represented the Former Pupils at the Gala RFC 7-a-Side Tournament in the company of several FP international players.
He also played an integral part in the winning of the Scottish Club Championship in season 1961-62.
After leaving school, Ross pursued a chartered accountancy career and on qualifying, joined a well-known Glasgow drinks wholesaler.
His career soon took off as this company was taken over by The Drybrough Brewing Company which, in turn, was taken over by Watney Mann, which was subsequently taken over by The Grand Metropolitan (“GM”) Company PLC. Ross excelled, rising to become a member of the GM Board. This meteoric rise took him to the very heart of the London and international financial world.
He joined The London Scottish Rugby Football Club, The Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club and The Caledonian Club, which was also the meeting place of the Glasgow High School Former Pupil London Club. Ross was a great stalwart and was elected President in 2001-2002.
He always enthused great pride in his High School roots. Ross was a frequent visitor to Old Anniesland, where he had served for several years on the initial Board of Governors which was responsible for the creation of the phenomenal new chapter in the High School’s history.
A true High School man.
Tribute written by Ian Docherty (Class of 1957)
Former Pupil (Class of 1953)
12th July 193523rd January 2024
Having started his schooling at Drewsteignton School, Robin Hagart joined Class IE at Elmbank Street from Bearsden Academy in 1947. There was an inevitability about this, as his grandfather, his father and his brother attended The High School of Glasgow, and his three Hagart aunts, his mother and his mother-in-law all went to The Glasgow High School for Girls.
Besides the High School, the Boys’ Brigade in Bearsden played a key role in Robin’s early life, the summer camps nurturing his love for the Scottish countryside and the Pipe
Band developing his talent for the drums. He supported the 1st Bearsden Boys Brigade throughout his life. He was a passionate sailor, his base being the Royal Yacht Club in Rhu, and one high point was being invited to be part of the crew of the royal yacht, Bloodhound, owned by Prince Philip. He enjoyed skiing in Scotland and the Alps, but his time as a skier was brought to an end by a nasty accident on the slopes of Glencoe, when he had to be evacuated by the Mountain Rescue Team. His gratitude for the help received from these volunteers was reflected in his ongoing support for Glencoe Mountain Rescue and other mountain rescue teams.
On leaving school in 1953, Robin asked to do his National Service in the Navy, but was sent to serve in the Army. Undeterred, he indulged his taste for adventure by volunteering to be a dispatch rider. In addition to wild runs across the country on his motor bike, he enjoyed driving tanks and huge articulated lorries. On returning to Glasgow, he rejected the invitation to join the family business, Bambers, at Charing Cross, and decided to become a quantity surveyor, funding his studies by moonlighting as a double-decker bus driver in Kirkintilloch. After many years as a quantity surveyor, he changed to building surveying, becoming one of the first building surveyors in Scotland. He set up his own business, and the restoration of the Theatre Royal and an appearance on national TV news to discuss the project were career highlights.
Robin certainly maintained the family tradition of commitment to the High School. As a pupil, a former pupil and a parent of two pupils, he maintained an affection for, and an involvement with, the School all his days. He was always an enthusiastic member of The Glasgow High School Club, serving on the Committee and becoming President of the Club in 1996-97. He was a member of the original fundraising campaign for the new school buildings at Old Anniesland. As a professional building surveyor, he very much enjoyed his involvement in the maintenance of the school buildings at Anniesland and Bearsden, giving invaluable advice and guidance over a period of 17 years. In later years he loved attending the various concerts, shows and services in both the Junior and Senior Schools, and he looked forward very much to the monthly Coffee Mornings for Elmbank Street former pupils.
There can have been few more committed, supportive and generous former pupils than Robin, and it is fitting that he is remembered each year at the Senior School Prizegiving with the award of the Hagart Rosebowl for extra-curricular activity, which he donated. Supported by the loving care of his wife, Kate, Robin faced courageously a number of health challenges over the years and maintained his kindly, gentlemanly nature and his keen sense of humour. We offer our deepest sympathy to Kate, Richard and Gordon in their loss.
Tribute written by Dr Robin G Easton (Former Rector, 1982-2004)
Former Head of Science & Chemistry (1973-1994)
15th October 1933 -
29th March 2024
After schooling in Kent, and following completion of his National Service as a Russian interpreter, Ron went on to study at the University of Cambridge where he was awarded a degree in Natural Sciences. From here, he took up a variety of teaching posts at schools including Strathallan (Perth), Rossall (Lancashire), Nyakasura School (Uganda), as well as King’s School (Worcester).
Ron joined the then Drewsteignton School in September 1973, where he took up the post of Head of Science & Chemistry. With news of the merger with The High School of Glasgow presenting an array of exciting new challenges, Ron relished this opportunity. A committed Christian, he welcomed the chance to build upon the School’s Christian traditions. As a scientist, he was excited by the prospect of developing the Science Department, which he did with gusto.
Upon the Senior School’s relocation from Bearsden to the current campus at Old Anniesland, Ron was instrumental in the planning of the new science facilities, something which showcased his meticulous organisation and attention to detail. When he was appointed, the department consisted of one science laboratory, two teachers and no technicians. Fast forward 21
years and Ron had made enormous contributions to the expansion of the Science Department, leaving behind nine laboratories, many workrooms and storage areas, as well as seven full-time teachers, two part-time teachers and two technicians.
During the early stages of his time at the High School, Ron was involved in the formation of the Scripture Union Club and the Charities Committee. In addition, he helped organise the Home and School Association Summer Fayre.
Throughout his tenure, the excellent results achieved by his pupils were a testament to his dedication to, and the quality of, his work as both Head of Department, and as a teacher. He worked tirelessly to promote his subjects and instill enthusiasm for all things science-related in his pupils.
Outside of the classroom, Ron had many passions, including windsurfing. He was also an exceptionally accomplished rock and ice climber.
In retirement, Ron often returned to provide teaching cover during staff absence, and he and his wife, Paddy, remained very regular and welcome visitors to school concerts and events.
On Friday 29th March 2024, Ron passed away at the age of 90. We offer Paddy and all their family our sincere condolences on their loss.
Tribute written by the Hockey family
Should a friend or family member wish to submit a tribute for a loved one, please get in touch with the School via community@hsog.co.uk
We wish to use this opportunity to draw attention to an ‘In Memory Of’ page on the HSOG Community website which can be found at: www.hsogcommunity.co.uk/in-memory-of
This is a place where obituaries can be housed in perpetuity to remember individuals connected to our school.
Mr Andrew R A Kirk
Former Pupil (Class of 2006)
31st May 198929th January 2023
By now, I feel that everyone has read, or at least heard of, the poem The Dash by Linda Ellis. I am often reminded of my brother in the lines ‘for it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash, what matters is how we live and how we love and how we spend our dash.’
If there ever was a poster boy for making the most of his ‘dash’, it was Andrew.
Those of you who remember him from school will remember how much he enjoyed living life to the full. From rugby to cricket, hockey, guitar group and Duke of Edinburgh, there was rarely an activity to which Andrew could say no.
Even into adulthood, he spent his time working hard and playing hard! From cross channel yacht races, trips with his friends exploring Asia, raucous holidays in New Orleans, holidays with his wife exploring fjords in Scandinavia or Munro bagging at home – if you could name it, he had probably done it!
Sadly, the hills were to be his last adventure, as he set out one morning last January to climb Ben More. In true Andrew form, he had made a new friend at the start of his walk and reached the summit with her (and her dog). Tragically, Andrew had a fall and was fatally injured. His companion called the mountain rescue, who arrived on the scene promptly. Every attempt was made to save Andrew but unfortunately, he did not survive.
Through this entire experience and beyond, we have been extremely grateful to all emergency services involved, and especially indebted to the Killin Mountain Rescue Team (KMRT). Even in the midst of our own grief, it is humbling to think of the work put in by the team – both as individuals and collectively – to bring Andrew back to us. The fact that the team give their own time to do such difficult and emotional work will not be forgotten. I feel eternally grateful to the KMRT.
In the weeks following, we had set up a JustGiving page. We would have been pleased had the page made it into four figures, but to date the campaign has raised over £23,000 thanks to fundraising efforts and unfathomable generosity from family, friends, colleagues, and many other people whose lives Andrew has touched in some way. In my last conversation with the KMRT coordinator, the plan was for them to use the funds for a more powerful radio transmitter/receiver that would allow better radio coverage on exercises and rescues.
For those of you who remember Andrew, I hope that it is not with sadness, but with a smile. And
whether you had the privilege of knowing my brother or not, it is my hope that you take inspiration from him, and seize every opportunity for adventure in your life.
Tribute written by Andrew’s sister, Jennifer Kirk (Class of 2004).
You can read an extended tribute to Andrew on our website here: https://www.hsogcommunity.co.uk/ in-memory-of/andrew-kirk
If you would like to make a donation to Killin Mountain Rescue Team in Andrew’s memory, you can do so by visiting the family’s JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Andrew-Kirk-31
Former Pupil (Class of 1961)
8th September 194323rd July 2023
Iain’s passing occurred in Banstead, Surrey, in the early summer of 2023. Born in Glasgow in September 1943, he was the son of D M Kennedy Reid and Elizabeth T (Rankine) Reid. He was brought up in Glasgow, as well as for a time in Aberdeen. After attending Glasgow High School, he went on to the University of Glasgow.
He then embarked on a long and distinguished career in civil engineering. Iain’s early career was spent in Scotland, following which he gained international experience through engineering projects in the Middle East, North Africa and Hong Kong. This varied practice led ultimately to his long-lasting role with WS Atkins plc, based in Epsom and living in Banstead, and to his specialisation in the repair and strengthening of motorway roads and bridges – an area of expertise that frequently carried heavy responsibilities, in participating in decisions about motorway repair that had important safety implications. In the later years of his career, Iain turned also to research and writing. His publications included Concrete Bridge Strengthening and Repair (London: Thomas Telford Ltd, 2009) and the co-authored and equally comprehensive Steel Bridge Strengthening (London: Thomas Telford Ltd, 2001). Both volumes contain numerous examples of repair techniques, many of which Iain had devised and worked on. These approaches are still used today and encourage young engineers to think laterally and avoid the seemingly easier but disruptive option of closing bridges for repair. Iain was particularly proud of having introduced an innovative girder with considerable versatility for repairing motorway bridge supports.
Iain was predeceased by his parents, and is survived by his longtime companion, Cécile Bradwell, as well as by five cousins and other extended family members. All who knew him well were aware that he experienced recurrent health challenges, which became especially acute during his later years. Nevertheless, he embraced life in its many facets. In early life, he found deep fulfilment in the Boy Scouts, and was proud of his recognition as a Queen’s Scout and of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. He later took delight in reunions with his former scouting friends, as well as taking a leading role in maintaining social contacts among WS Atkins retirees.
Although most of his adult life was spent ‘furth of Scotland,’ he was always a proud Scot and took every opportunity to wear his kilt accordingly. He felt an especial attachment to the Firth of Clyde, where he sailed as a young man and within sight of which he maintained for a number of years a holiday flat.
Iain was a kind and generous man who valued family and friends, as well as being an esteemed and creative member of his chosen profession, and he will be greatly missed and long remembered as such.
Tribute written by Iain’s family & friends.
Mr James (Bunny) A B Wilson
Former Pupil (Class of 1950)
2nd March 1931 - 4th April 2024
James, affectionately known by his friends as Bunny, joined The High School of Glasgow in Kindergarten in 1936. An active and enthusiastic member of the School’s 1st XV Rugby Team, he was awarded a cap at the end of session 1948/49 and also featured in the Glasgow Schools’ XV that season. He stayed at the former boys’ school, then based at
Elmbank Street, until his Fifth Year in 1949. From here, he took up an engineering apprenticeship at Barclay Curle Shipyard where his father was a manager.
After his apprenticeship, Bunny took on a role at the yard’s Drawing Office before joining the Merchant Navy as a junior engineering officer. After travelling to various corners of the world, he bid goodbye to life at sea and joined the company Scotland and Ireland for Cochrane Boilers (later to become Rolls Royce) as a sales manager.
Working for the company for more than 35 years, he travelled to many locations worldwide promoting the business’s technological capabilities, large capacity industrial boilers and engineering prowess. He also successfully secured numerous major contracts across different continents, one of which was providing nine 30-tonne boilers for Baghdad, Iraq.
Since leaving school, Bunny kept up-to-date with life at HSOG. He enjoyed playing rugby with fellow former pupils at Old Anniesland for a number of years, and was a member of the Championship winning team of 1954. Latterly, he thoroughly enjoyed attending the Elmbank Street Coffee Mornings and reminiscing with his friends over a coffee and bacon roll. In April 2022, Jim and his wife Norma were given a tour of the Senior School; it was a memorable and special occasion for all involved, particularly as three of his grandchildren currently attend the School.
On Thursday 4th April 2024, Jim passed away peacefully at home at the age of 93. He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Norma, his children: Donald, Russell and Stewart, as well as his eight grandchildren: Andrew, Kerr, Oliver, Rowan, Brodie, Emma, Sandy and Eliza.
Tribute written by the Wilson family.
In last year’s issue of Sursum Semper we ran a piece detailing the latest development to the Senior School, the creation of the top floor of The John Shaw Science Wing, named after John Shaw (Class of 1966).
John and his wife Kiran MazumdarShaw donated £1.5million to the School, the largest single donation the School has ever received, which allowed us to transform the top floor of the Science Wing into four modern Geography and Modern Studies classrooms and create a ‘Flexible Learning Area’, the first of its kind at the High School.
It’s a making and a doing area that provides a place in which pupils can discover, dream and learn, alone or collaboratively, outside the confines of a traditional classroom. It’s open to all year groups, and in the Summer Term, Junior 3 paid a visit as part of their Roman Topic. With the help of Virtual Reality (VR) headsets they travelled back in time and immersed themselves in Ancient Rome!
While wearing their VR headsets, they visited the Colosseum where they witnessed a gladiator fight and held a VR gladius, the sword Roman soldiers would use in combat. They explored a Roman villa belonging to an emperor, revelling in its beauty, and the children used VR to pick up a ceramic vase. Finally, they visited Pompeii, walking the streets and summitting Mount Vesuvius, where they surveyed the landscape and reflected on the nine metres of ash that buried the inhabitants when Vesuvius erupted.
Junior 3 were also given a special lesson about the School’s 900 year history from Mrs Pollock, Junior School Deputy Head Teacher (Teaching and Learning). This helped to put into context the importance of
Above Right: J3
the School’s anniversary, reinforcing to the children that they are a part of something really special. While in The John Shaw Science Wing, they also learnt all about John and his wife Kiran, and their impressive careers. They were introduced to the concept of philanthropy and the couple’s wish for their wealth to have a positive impact on the world.
Across our 900th anniversary, pupils are learning about the School’s rich history and the many significant individuals connected to us. Being able to share John’s story and the impact he had on the High School, while being in the space that his donation created, demonstrated his generosity first-hand to some of the School’s youngest learners, creating a day we are sure they’ll never forget!
To catch up with the latest school news, please visit our website: highschoolofglasgow.co.uk or our social media channels.
We issue a termly digital Highlights magazine and a regular Memorable Moments e-newsletter. If you aren’t on our mailing list and would like to receive these, please email community@hsog.co.uk and we will ensure you are added.
We are hosting our first ever Giving Day from 8:00am on Tuesday 24th September until 8:00pm on Wednesday 25th September 2024!
Our Giving Day is online and provides an opportunity for our global school community to come together during our milestone 900th anniversary year to support our 900 Campaign fundraising efforts for the Bursary Fund
It will take place during the final legs of the 900km Cycle in aid of the Bursary Fund and promises to be an exciting 36 hours as it offers the chance to truly demonstrate the power of cumulative giving.
Further details will be released over the coming months. We hope you will join us and support HSOG Giving Day in whatever way you can!
HSOG Giving Day 24th-25th September 2024
There’s no better way to demonstrate the life-changing impact of a bursary than hearing from individuals who have benefited. Take, for instance, Class of 2009 former pupils and bursary recipients Viktoria Lightbody (nee Tsvetanova) and Ryan Lightbody, who met during Fifth Year, began dating in Sixth Year and tied the knot in 2022. The High School sweethearts had a contingent of School representatives present at their nuptials including former Rector, Mr Mair, with four former pupils acting as groomsmen on the day.
Not only did they find the love of their life at the High School, they were provided with an excellent springboard from which to launch themselves. Viktoria studied Law at the University of Glasgow and is now a lawyer at Dentons, the biggest law firm in the world, where she specialises in Competition Law. The daughter of two international badminton coaches, Viktoria has played badminton since she can remember, and at the age of 16 she became semi-professional when drafted into a German team. She played badminton for Bulgaria as a Junior (under 19), and then for Scotland. Since retiring as a player, she’s remained within the world of badminton, becoming a coach, a legal advisor to two national governing bodies (Bulgaria and Scotland), and subsequently being elected to Badminton Europe Board of Directors by a nearly unanimous vote of the 43 voting countries. In 2021, she was named in the Forbes Bulgaria 30 under 30 list thanks to her work as a competition lawyer and through her involvement in the Badminton Europe Commission.
Ryan has a joint MSc in Economics and Politics and a postgraduate masters MRes in Political Communication from the University of Glasgow. For the past five years, he has been leading communications for social enterprise, Lifelink, which provides free mental health counselling to adults in Glasgow and young people in schools throughout Glasgow and Central Scotland. Among his career highs so far, Ryan worked in Brussels at communications consultancy, Burson, Cohn & Wolfe, where he was a part of the team who ran the #BeActive communications campaign for the European Week of Sport supported by high profile ambassadors like Clarence Seedorf (Champions League winning footballer) and Caroline Wozniacki (grand slam winning tennis player). He was also a core member of the communications team that brought the World Badminton Championships to Glasgow’s Emirates Arena in 2017.
Tell us a little about your experience at HSOG?
Ryan: I was the first person from my primary school to ever go to the High School and I was acutely aware that all my friends from primary school would be going into secondary school together while I was starting afresh with a new group of young people, most of whom had known each other since the Junior School. I needn't have been concerned though, because the welcome I received from my peers and senior members of staff put me at ease quickly and I settled into life at the High School in no time at all. It took a while for me to realise the opportunity I had been given in attending the School, but as I grew older, I realised that I was being given more freedom, more responsibilities and, in turn, more possibilities than was the norm.
Viktoria: I had a very unusual upbringing, in that my mother's career as an international badminton coach meant we spent four-year cycles (Olympic cycles) in different countries, so by the time I arrived at HSOG for Fifth Year I had already studied at five different schools (in four
different countries, in three different languages). HSOG is the school I felt I fitted in best: partly because I was old enough to know and be myself, partly because there was so much variety in the offering that it caters for virtually everyone's interests, but mostly because of the people I was surrounded with: well-rounded individuals.
My experience of HSOG as a school was incredibly positive and frankly unusual compared to other schools, and I believe this was thanks to the following factors: the genuine care shown to pupils by teachers; the belief in pupils instilling a can-do attitude; flexibility and respect for extracurriculars (particularly my fledgling semi-pro badminton career) and the friendships I made for life.
What are your plans and aspirations for the future?
Ryan: Well, Viktoria and I have just purchased our first home together out in Balmore so moving in there is going to be top of the list at the moment for the near future!
Lifelink is launching its corporate mental health and wellbeing arm, Lifelink Workwell. This is a huge step for a relatively small organisation as we'll be competing directly with large multinationals such as Bupa, Axa and Vitality Health. Each year, 10,000 Glaswegians receive free mental health counselling through Lifelink, but we don't actively fundraise or look for donations so we're launching these services in the private market to help support the core work of Lifelink financially. With no shareholders in the organisation, we'll be able to reinvest any revenue from our private arm back into our public arm and hopefully support even more people in Glasgow (and beyond) during what we know is a mental health crisis. I'm fortunate that when I sit down at my desk each day, I’m part of an organisation that saves lives; I've already met so many clients that believe they wouldn't be here today, if
When talking about bursaries you hear the phrase “transformational” so much, and rightfully so: The High School of Glasgow has truly been life-changing for both Ryan and I across so many facets of our lives, both professionally and personally. We would not have been able to be part of the School, and indeed had the opportunities we had, if it wasn’t for the Bursary Fund.
Viktoria
not for the support that Lifelink provided them.
Viktoria: Whilst Ryan was joking, the house really is an exciting project for us.
Professionally, I recently received news that I am being promoted to Senior Associate, so effectively taking the next step on the corporate ladder. However, the corporate ladder is not what motivates or inspires me. My professional inspiration and motivation rather come from forming, developing, and delivering on ideas and aspirations.
I love my work in badminton and by extension have always seen myself working in the sport sector. Simultaneously, I very much enjoy working for Dentons, where I have always felt supported and given the freedom to develop my career in the direction I like. Combining the two, I am working on growing Dentons' sport sector practice.
Separately, we just finalised a new four-year strategy for Badminton Europe – the plan now is to deliver on it; the driving motivation behind it is to (a) improve the level of badminton in Europe, and (b) improve the image (and therefore the commercial offering) of badminton as a sport, especially when compared to other sports.
What did having a bursary at school mean to you?
Viktoria: Put simply, without a bursary I would not have attended the High
Having attended the fantastic fundraising dinner in the Kelvingrove Art Galleries earlier this year, I was surprised at the amount of emotion in the room when we all stood to sing the School Song. I was also surprised at the emotion I felt myself, but I think it’s a clear testament to the fact that the High School experience is a special one that imprints bonds amongst and upon its former pupils for life.
Ryan
School, and I know for a fact that I would not be where I am today: I would not have met Ryan, I seriously doubt I would have achieved the grades to get into law school, and I most likely would not have built up the "anything is possible" confidence I have today. The bursary gave me access to the experience I needed to unlock my potential, and my attendance at the School opens doors even after all these years.
Ryan: It's impossible to understate the impact that attending the High School has had on me; from a firm footing in the academic world, to friendships for life, to meeting the girl that would ultimately become my wife, my time at Old Anniesland has shaped every aspect of the man I am today. The opportunities that being a High School pupil has afforded me, and continues to do so, would not have been possible without being a bursary recipient. I am continually grateful for the generosity of both the Bursary Fund and the London Club for supporting me and others like me.
What would you say to someone considering donating to the 900 Campaign in aid of Bursaries?
Ryan: It's an investment in the future of the High School, because in order to continue to succeed, the School needs to be able to welcome pupils from all backgrounds. In a political environment where private schools are coming under increasing scrutiny and accusations of being elitist, a robust bursary programme is the perfect counter argument to anyone who would hold this view.
Viktoria: It's an investment in the future full stop. It's an opportunity to allow a kid to develop their potential, to change their outlook from the "big bad world" to "a world of possibilities", and – who knows – to potentially develop the next generation's groundbreaking invention, or to lead the way in systemic change, that will make all of our lives better.
In this 900th anniversary year, everyone in the High School community has been able to reflect on the High School’s illustrious past and to take pride in what this great school and its pupils have achieved and contributed to Glasgow, this country and beyond.
The establishment of the Educational Trust in 1977 was of enormous importance to those who had attended school in Elmbank Street or at Garnethill, ensuring that the High School could remain open to children with talent and potential, whatever their family’s financial means.
This 900 Campaign provides an opportunity to increase the current level of bursary funding, ideally to double the funds which the Educational Trust manages. The High School today is a modern thinking and ambitious school with excellent facilities, consistently one of the highest achieving in the country academically, maintaining the highest standards in the arts, sport and culture and offering a wide range of experiences in and out of the classroom.
Thus the aims of the 900 Campaign reflect this also. Our innovative START programme provides learning opportunities in design thinking and entrepreneurship, replicating the journey of a startup business, with pupils collaborating on projects that take teams from initial ideation to investor presentation, before culminating in a pitch competition with internship prizes.
Developed in partnership with leading academics and industry experts, START aims to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world and to answer the calls for more real-world, problembased learning in schools. While initially the benefit is to our own pupils, our aim as the programme develops is to offer this opportunity to pupils throughout Glasgow and beyond.
The High School is committed to being a place of education within sustainable, net-zero and environmentally conscious campuses. Having already been awarded our fifth Eco Schools Scotland Green Flag, our aim is to be net-zero by 2050. We hope to implement innovative and eco-friendly initiatives, upgrade our infrastructure and develop sustainable practices into every aspect of school life.
Specifically, through the 900 Campaign, we can invest in solar panels and replace existing heating systems dependent on fossil fuels with more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives in both the Junior and Senior School, relying on carbon offsetting where this is not possible.
Please help us to celebrate the 900th anniversary by
Play your part in supporting the future of the High School through a donation to the 900 Campaign: www.hsogcommunity.co.uk/support/900campaign/donate
Colin D R Mair, 900 Campaign Chair
We are tremendously grateful to all those who have supported the 900 Campaign so far. Your commitment to The High School of Glasgow will help us achieve our fundraising goals of growing our Bursary Fund, expanding access to our entrepreneurial and design-thinking initiative, START, and helping us to develop our campuses to become more sustainable, all of which will be for the benefit of those who follow after. Our sincerest thanks are extended to our donors noted below, alongside those in our donor community who wish to remain anonymous.
Donald Abbot (Class of 2004)
Megan Adair (Class of 2015)
Scott Adair (Class of 1987)
William Aitken (Class of 1958)
Keith & Victoria Anderson (Former Parents)
David Armstrong (Former Parent)
John Barr (Class of 1970)
Wendi Bates (Former Staff)
Professor Hugh Begg (Class of 1960)
John & Janice Bestow (Former Parents)
Douglas Boller (Class of 1952)
Professor Sir Michael Bond (Former Governor)
Alastair Borthwick (Class of 1985)
Bogumila Bozetka (Current Parent)
Dr Hector Brodie (Class of 1966)
Ian Brodie (Class of 1969)
J Barclay Burns (Class of 1961)
David Calvert (Class of 1968)
Isobel Campbell (Friend of HSOG)
David Carlyle (Class of 1967)
Douglas Carrick (Class of 2006)
John Carruthers (Class of 1990)
Zhen Chi & Xianghua Ding (Current Parents)
Dr Jane Connor (Class of 1955)
James Cook (Class of 1965)
Dr Douglas Cossar (Class of 1957)
Hamish Cowan (Class of 1963)
Anne Crawford (Former Parent)
John Crawford (Class of 1968)
Anne Currie (Former Governor)
Stuart Dallas (Class of 1966)
John Davie (Class of 1968)
I Campbell Docherty (Class of 1993)
Kerr Docherty (Class of 1985)
Jenny Dougall (Current Staff)
Myles & Meg Dryden (Former Parents)
Neil Dryden (Class of 1991)
Dr Robin & Mrs Eleanor Easton (Former Staff & Former Parent)
Peter Edmond (Former Staff)
Margaret Forrest (Current Parent)
Neil Forrest (Class of 1957)
Heather Fuller (Current Staff)
Paula Galloway (Former Governor)
Bill Gardiner (Class of 1955)
Aileen Gartner (Class of 1971)
Robbie Gibbons (Class of 2000)
Alison Gray (Former Staff)
Barrie Gray (Class of 1984)
Wendy Gray (Former Staff)
Ian Hall (Former Parent)
Ronald Hanna (Class of 1960)
Heather Harpur (Class of 1984)
The High School of Glasgow 900th
Anniversary Gala Homecoming Dinner
Colin Hill (Class of 1963)
Ron Hockey (Former Staff) (deceased 2024)
Adrian & Janette Horsnell (Former Parents)
Eric Hugh (Class of 1972)
Dr Greg & Mrs Tara Hunt (Current Parents)
Michael Hutcheson (Class of 1997)
The Irvine Family
Jeffrey Jay (Class of 1963)
The Jennie S Gordon Memorial Foundation
Gregor Johnston (Class of 1957)
The Kay Family
Roy & Katie Keenan (Class of 1964)
Angus Kerr (Class of 1973)
Annabel Kerr (Class of 2004)
John Kidd (Class of 1966)
Laing The Jeweller (Glasgow) Limited
Stuart Laing (Class of 1968)
Andrew Land (Class of 1990)
Professor David Lawson (Class of 1956)
Edward Lawson (Class of 1973)
Marilyn Lees (Friend of HSOG)
Don Leslie (Class of 1974)
Fiona Leslie (Class of 1970)
George Leslie (Class of 1965)
Katharine Liston (Friend of HSOG)
Ian Litster (Class of 1960)
Kenneth Low (Class of 1961)
Kenneth Lumsden (Class of 1960)
Dr Gillian MacDougall (Class of 1982)
Lady Macfarlane (Friend of HSOG)
Colin Mackie (Former Parent)
Neil Mackie (Class of 2004)
John Maclennan (Class of 1993)
James MacLeod (Former Pupil)
Robert MacNeill (Class of 2000)
Colin Mair (Former Staff)
Daniel Marrable (Friend of HSOG)
Moira Martin (Former Pupil)
Dr Peter McCabe & Dr L M Simpson (Class of 1961)
Gavin McCallum (Class of 1990)
Karen McDonald (Current Staff)
Stuart McDougall (Class of 1983)
J Miller McGrath (Class of 1955)
Bruce McKenzie (Class of 1969)
Eileen McKenzie (Former Staff)
David McNaughtan (Class of 1968)
Robert McPhail (Class of 1963)
Claire & Steven McRobbie (Current Parents)
Kathleen McWilliam (Former Parent)
Alastair Mill (Former Parent)
Claire Milmo (Class of 1995)
Henry Mitchell (Class of 1954)
David Moffett (Class of 1977)
Alan Moss (Class of 1973)
Allan Mowatt (Class of 1962)
Dr James Mundell (Class of 1961)
John Murdoch (Class of 1979)
Sybil Murray (Class of 1984)
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli & Lady
Elaine Muscatelli (Class of 1979)
Catriona & Stephen Oliver (Current Parents)
John O'Neill (Current Staff)
Simon Pengelley (Governor)
Dr Malcolm Pickard (Class of 1976)
Malcolm Pickard (Class of 2005)
Stephen & Jo Quaile (Current Parents)
William Reid (Former Parent)
Annabelle Robertson (Class of 1999)
Kenneth Robertson (Current Staff)
Karen Robinson (Class of 1995)
Frances Ross (Class of 1998)
Alan Runciman (Class of 1965)
Jim Sewell (Class of 1962)
Professor Ricky Sharma (Class of 1989)
Jacqueline Smith (Class of 1971)
Dr William Speir (Class of 1963)
Alison Spurway (Class of 1964)
Dr & Mrs B H R Stack (Former Parents)
Andros Stakis (Current Parent)
Kate Stevens (Class of 1967)
Ian & Fiona Stevenson (Current Parents)
Robin Stevenson (Former Parent)
Janette Stewart (Class of 1954)
Margaret Stewart (Chair of Governors)
Dr Christopher Stothers (Class of 1995)
The Strachan Family - In Memory of Edwina Strachan
Heather Strain (Class of 2002)
Margarita Sweeney-Baird (Former Parent)
Lorna Taylor (Class of 2010)
Laura Tough (Class of 1995)
Karen Trickett (Class of 1989)
Katherine Wainwright (Current Parent)
David Walker (Class of 1976)
Neil Watson (Class of 1992)
Karen Waugh (Former Staff)
Alastair Weight (Class of 1965)
Kenneth Welsh (Current Parent)
Graeme Williams (Class of 2006)
Raymond Williamson (Class of 1960)
Ronald Wink (Class of 1954)
Gordon Wishart (Class of 1971)
Roberta Wright (Class of 1957)
If you wish to make a one off donation to The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust, please complete the form on this side of the page To make a regular gift by Standing Order to The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust, please complete the form on the reverse Alternatively, if you would like to make a one off or regular donation online, please visit www.hsogcommunity.co.uk/support or scan the QR code on the other side of this form.
Name:
Address:
Please send me information about leaving a bequest to The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust. I would like to give the
Email:
Telephone:
Postcode:
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed by The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust on all of my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.
Please tick here if you wish to remain anonymous.
Signature:
Date:
Banker’s Standing Order form
To support ‘The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust’ Clydesdale Bank Account No. 20335995 | Sort Code: 82-20-00
(please insert your bank
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed by The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust on all of my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.
Please tick here if you wish to remain anonymous.
Please send me information about leaving a bequest to The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust.
Signature:
Thank you for your support.
The High School of Glasgow Educational Trust is a registered Scottish Charity. No. SC004394.
Alternatively, scan the QR code if you would like to make a single or regular donation online.
Date:
For all your High School gifting needs!
We have a variety of items in stock – from HSOG branded golf balls, mugs, notebooks and tote bags, to former pupil ties, pin badges, cufflinks and HSOG history books written by former members of staff, Brian Lockhart and Harry Ashmall.
Why not have a browse of our online shop – you might just find the perfect treat for yourself or something that would make a brilliant gift for friends or family members!
Our 900th anniversary celebrations continue throughout 2024. Visit the HSOG Community website for further details on upcoming events.