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Are you in these old school photos from St John’s High School in Dundee?

Do you feature in any of our old pictures of life at St John's High School?
Do you feature in any of our old pictures of life at St John's High School?

Some say our school days are the best of our lives.

When we are studying most of us hate the very mention of school but, once we leave, you can’t help but feel nostalgic and rekindle special memories.

We have been searching high and low in the DC Thomson archives to find retro pictures of classes, school trips and sports teams from St John’s High School in Dundee.

These striking old photos span the decades – from the 1970s to the noughties – and they are sure to stir some fond memories for former pupils.

So let’s go back to school for a trip down memory lane!

The 1970s

St John's High School under-14s team. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s High School under-14s team. Image: DC Thomson.

Check out some of these hairstyles!

The St John’s High School under-14 football team are pictured before a match in 1976.

Do you recognise any of the teenagers in this line-up?

Boarding the SS Uganda cruise ship in 1978. Image: DC Thomson.
Boarding the SS Uganda cruise ship in 1978. Image: DC Thomson.

Children from St John’s and St Saviour’s High School are pictured together at Dundee docks in 1978, getting ready to board the SS Uganda cruise ship.

Uganda was an educational steam ship that sailed the seven seas from 1958 to 1982, giving thousands of lucky kids a glimpse of what the world at large had to offer.

These cruises were often the first experience of foreign travel for students who would learn about history, geography, religion, foreign languages and currency.

St John's High School after it was damaged by fire. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s High School after it was damaged by fire. Image: DC Thomson.

Our next image shows staff surveying the damage following a devastating fire.

Two former pupils broke into the school in September 1978 and set fire to the main hall, which was completely destroyed.

The school reopened in October 1978, although pupils were taken to the former St Michael’s School in Graham Street for lunches until repairs were made.

St John's High School in 1978. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s High School in 1978. Image: DC Thomson.

Up next is a busy scene after the school bell sounded in 1978.

The school was founded in 1931 and used to have eight houses named after abbeys which were Balmerino, Melrose, Jedburgh, Lindores, Paisley, Kelso, Iona and Dunkeld.

Can you spot anyone you know in this picture?

The 1980s

Alison, front centre, with some of her gymnastic colleagues in 1983. Image: DC Thomson.
Alison, front centre, with some of her gymnastic colleagues in 1983. Image: DC Thomson.

Welcome to the 1980s!

Our first picture is of Alison Stewart, who was triumphant in the Senior Schools Gymnastics Championships held in East Kilbride in 1983.

The 14-year-old is pictured alongside some of her gymnastics colleagues.

Teachers of St John's High in 1988. Image: DC Thomson.
Teachers of St John’s High in 1988. Image: DC Thomson.

Do you recognise any of these teachers?

Some might be hard to spot behind the make-up because they were in character for the school’s production of Aladdin, which took place in January 1988.

Do you remember seeing the show?

Paula and Jennifer winning in 1988. Image: DC Thomson.

Paula Murray and Jennifer Baird were celebrating back in December 1988.

They won the Keep Britain Tidy annual poster competition for secondary schools and received their prize from Councillor Frank Boag from Tayside Regional Council.

Among those in the picture is Brother Bede, who was the head teacher.

Councillor Henderson with pupils. Image: DC Thomson.
Councillor Henderson with pupils. Image: DC Thomson.

Pupils were talking politics in this picture from November 1989.

The modern studies class were hosting a mock-up surgery with Councillor John Henderson at the City Chambers in Dundee.

Were you among those taking the councillor to task?

The 1990s

St John's High School Under-16s football team. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s High School Under-16s football team. Image: DC Thomson.

Up next is this snap from 1990 and these St John’s High pupils are celebrating after victory against Rockwell in the George Grant Memorial Trophy.

Dundee United manager Jim McLean presented the trophy to the under-16s side that triumphed in the match, which took place at Tannadice Park.

They all look mighty pleased with themselves and rightly so!

St John's pupils celebrate the school's diamond jubilee. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s pupils celebrate the school’s diamond jubilee. Image: DC Thomson.

These pupils were celebrating the school’s diamond jubilee in September 1991.

The school was founded early in 1931 by The Marist Brothers, who were a group of monks dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The school now welcomes children from all religious backgrounds.

St John's compile the school's first year book. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s compile the school’s first year book. Image: DC Thomson.

Read all about it!

Pupils are pictured after compiling a first year book back in June 1993.

Can you remember what was included in the book?

St John's prize-winners. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s prize-winners. Image: DC Thomson.

St John’s prize-winners line up for a photograph in June 1997.

Do you recognise any of the smiling faces who were snapped by our photographer?

St John's pupils at Rockwell. Image: DC Thomson.
St John’s pupils at Rockwell. Image: DC Thomson.

St John’s High pupils settling in to life at Rockwell High in 1998.

They were decanted there while extensive repair work was being carried out.

Home Economics class in 1999. Image: DC Thomson.
Home economics class in 1999. Image: DC Thomson.

These pupils are cooking up a storm!

They are pictured in the refurbished home economics department in 1999.

The school was now one of the best designed and equipped in the country, following a £2 million investment programme.

Kosovo appeal. Image: DC Thomson.
Kosovo appeal. Image: DC Thomson.

The St John’s High School band performed to raise money for the Kosovo Appeal.

The band put on a concert to raise money for the refugees caught up when the conflict in Kosovo exploded into an international crisis in March 1999.

Music teachers Maureen Copeland and John Tonner are alongside pupils.

The 2000s

Young firefighters at Balmossie. Image: DC Thomson.
Young firefighters at Balmossie. Image: DC Thomson.

Pupils from St John’s took part in a young firefighters’ day at Balmossie in 2010.

Firefighters Keith McFarlane, Alan Simpson and Iain McDonald are pictured alongside the youngsters who were being put through their paces.

We wonder if any of these pupils went on to become a firefighter?

Venice trip. Image: DC Thomson.
Some of the pupils who made the Venice trip. Image: DC Thomson.

These 35 S5 and S6 pupils and staff were heading for Europe in 2011.

The 10-day cultural trip took in Verona, Sirmoine, Lake Garda, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento and Venice.

Sounds fantastic!

Burns Night Ceilidh. Image: DC Thomson.
Burns Night Ceilidh. Image: DC Thomson.

St John’s held a Burns Night Ceilidh back in 2011.

Our photographer was there to grab a picture of the pupils who were enjoying the night.

Are you among the throng who enjoyed a haggis supper?

United stars at St John's. Image: DC Thomson.
United stars at St John’s. Image: DC Thomson.

John Rankin and Ryan Gauld were on song ahead of the Scottish Cup final in 2014.

Stars from the Tangerines’ first-team squad joined up with pupils from St John’s to belt out the Dundee United Cup Final Squad Song.

The song was written by music teacher Colin Stewart and featured a medley of classic United anthems including Love Is In The Air and Beautiful Sunday.

Evan Lyon. Image: Alan Richardson.
Evan Lyon. Image: Alan Richardson.

Evan Lyon played Ryan in Dundee Schools Musical Theatre’s (DSMT) performance of High School Musical in August 2022 when another pupil dropped out.

Evan took on the role just nine weeks before the show was due to hit the stage, meaning he had to rapidly learn an abundance of dialogue, moves, dances and songs.

Evan’s efforts were rewarded with a Courier Gold Star.

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