Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh
Hermitage Academy is a non-denominational secondary school in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is one of two secondary schools in the Helensburgh area (the other being Lomond School) and is currently the largest secondary school in Argyll and Bute. The school catchment area extends from the Firth of Clyde to Loch Lomond and the Rest and be thankful, including in addition to the town of Helensburgh the villages of Cardross, Rhu, Shandon, Garelochhead, Clynder, Rosneath, Kilcreggan, Arrochar, Tarbet and Luss and other rural areas. The school has recently been plagued by a series of 'ghost fires', much to the frustration of the local fire department. Since this catchment area straddles the Highland Boundary Fault Line, the school is uniquely both a Lowland and a Highland school.[1]
History
The school was originally located in East Argyle Street next to the current primary school; the first Gothic building, with four classrooms and a music room and an intended capacity of 500, opened in 1880.[2][3] In 1966, after complaints of overcrowding,[4] the secondary school was replaced by a new building[5] at Campbell Drive, Helensburgh, but when this proved too small, a second building of equal capacity was built beside it.[6] In February 2008 the school was again relocated to a new campus on the outskirts of the town.[1] The school badge features the main entrance of the original Hermitage School.
The current head teacher is Geoff Urie.[7]
The school's motto is Nulla Virtus Sine Labore, which translates to Nothing Achieved Without Hard Work.[8]
As of June 2014[update], the school has 1350 pupils and almost 100 teaching staff.[1]
Notable alumni
- Hazel Irvine - BBC Sports Presenter and Journalist[9]
- Derek Parlane - Rangers, Leeds United and Scotland footballer (1970 to 1988)[10]
- Luke Patience - Silver medallist sailor at the 2012 London Olympics[11]
- Richard Tait - Creator of Cranium and former Microsoft employee of the year[12]
References
- ^ a b c "About us: Facilities". Hermitage Academy. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ^ "Opening of Hermitage School, Helensburgh". The Glasgow Herald. 3 August 1880. p. 3.
- ^ Young, Leslie B. (5 October 1979). "School's 100 years". The Glasgow Herald. p. 6.
{{cite news}}:|section=ignored (help) - ^ "Assurance on Helensburgh New School". The Glasgow Herald. 15 December 1958. p. 8.
- ^ "Hermitage opened at Helensburgh". The Glasgow Herald. 26 November 1966. p. 15.
- ^ "Newsletter: Academy Sites" (pdf). Helensburgh Heritage Trust. July 2007.
- ^ "Hermitage Academy | Argyll and Bute Council". Argyll and Bute Council. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ^ "Hermitage Academy - School Aims". Hermitage Academy. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
- ^ "BBC Sport - Hazel Irvine". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ "Heroes Centre - Derek Parlane". Heroes Centre. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ "URTV, Helensburgh & Lomond TV". URTV. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ^ "Helensburgh Heroes - Richard Tait". Helensburgh Heroes. Retrieved 12 November 2012.