Pictures of Dundee's Craigie High School from 1970 to 2023

Four pupils of Craigie High School, Dundee, who ran a soup kitchen to raise money for Children in Need. They are wearing aprons and a pot of soup and bowls sits on a table in front of them. — Some of the pupils who ran a soup kitchen to raise money for Children in Need. Image: DC Thomson.

These pictures capture life at Craigie High School in Dundee, which opened its doors to pupils in August 1970.

They feature classes, school trips and sports teams.

The 55-year-old building in Garnet Terrace will be confined to history when the school closes for good at the end of term after merging with Braeview Academy.

The new £100m campus will be called Greenfield Academy.

Craigie High will be knocked down.

Many former pupils will mourn its loss when the time comes.

Before the old school meets the wrecking ball, we have been digging around in the archives to celebrate the lasting memories made at Craigie High School.

How much did Craigie High cost?

the exterior of Craigie High School in August 1970 — Craigie High School in August 1970. Image: DC Thomson.

Dundee builder Charles Gray won the contract.

The school cost £1m to build and opened to 350 pupils in August 1970.

Official opening in 1970

Pupils join Sir Garnet and Lady Wilson in opening Craigie High — Sir Garnet and Lady Wilson opening Craigie High. Image: DC Thomson.

Work continued until the official opening in December 1970 by former Dundee Lord Provost Sir Garnet Wilson, who was accompanied by Lady Wilson.

The entrance to the school was named after Sir Garnet.

Football team in 1971

Craigie High School under-14 XI line up outside for a picture. — Craigie High School under-14 XI. Image: DC Thomson.

Craigie High School under-14 team line up in October 1971.

The smiles faded when they were beaten 8-1 by Lawside Academy.

Arbroath Road subway

Pupils walk through the new subway. Image: DC Thomson.

Duffle coats and carrier bags to the fore in November 1972.

Craigie High School’s subway under Arbroath Road opened along at Monymusk.

Taking a shortcut

Pupils take a shortcut through a gap in the fence in August 1977.

The roll swelled to 1,250 pupils from 1970.

The King of Craigie High

Pupil Derek Parkin holds his guitar on his bed, surrounded by Elvis posters — Elvis superfan Derek Parkin. Image: DC Thomson.

Pupil Derek Parkin was all shook up in February 1980.

He grew up listening to Elvis records and became a huge fan.

The 15-year-old devotee dyed his blond hair and got a signature black quiff.

Duke of Edinburgh

Gavin Smith presents Duke of Edinburgh award certificates to pupils in May 1986.

He was rector of the school from 1985 to 1989.

Wellgate Centre

Craigie High School brass band in 1986 seated with their instruments — Craigie High School brass band in 1986. Image: DC Thomson.

The Craigie High School brass band provided the soundtrack for Christmas shopping at the Wellgate Centre in December 1986.

The band was conducted by music teacher Hugh Smith.

Fundraising for the elderly

Pupils hand the items, arranged on a table, to Community Contact for distribution — Pupils handed the items to Community Contact for distribution. Image: DC Thomson.

Fourth-year pupils were helping elderly people in September 1987.

Suzanne Ford, Carol Walker, Sandra Allan and Susan Williamson raised £50 through sponsorship and a disco, which they used to buy groceries.

Cheque presentation

Pupils and officials at a presentation of a cheque to Sport Aid. — A presentation of a cheque to Sport Aid. Image: DC Thomson.

Craigie High School raised £1,600 for the Sport Aid appeal in November 1987 through a fun run organised by sixth-year pupil Lindsay Hopwood.

Rector Gavin Smith said he was “very proud” of the pupils.

Discovering Dundee

A group of pupils at Craigie High School devised a new board game with a Dundee theme through the Young Enterprise scheme in 1988.

Discover Dundee featured city landmarks and questions on the city’s history.

It went on sale in 1989.

Public speaking

Competitors in the Craigie High School public speaking competition in April 1989.

Can anyone recognise the winners?

Wind band

A civic reception was held for members of the wind band in September 1989.

It was in recognition of their performance at the convener’s charity ball in June.

Quiz finalists

Four op of the Bench competition pupils seated behind a desk. — Top of the Bench competition pupils. Image: DC Thomson.

The Craigie team reached the final of a Royal Society of Chemistry quiz.

The knowledgeable quartet, shown at Dundee University in March 1989, are, from left, Philip Lowden, Marcus Alphey, David Cave and Magnus Alphey.

Toys for Romania

Pupils in a classroom with gifts for deaf Romanian children — Pupils with gifts for deaf Romanian children. Image: DC Thomson.

Teachers and pupils at Craigie High’s unit for the deaf in April 1991.

They collected toys, clothes and blankets which were delivered to deaf children in the Romanian city of Galati by Tayside audiologist Paul Hoskins.

Heading for Europe

Craigie High School pupils stand beside a coach in October 1991. — Craigie High School pupils in October 1991. Image: DC Thomson.

A trip to foreign climes is always a highlight of life at school.

These pupils were heading off for a trip to “Europe’s administration capitals”.

Read all about it…

a teacher and pupils with copies of The Craigie News — Copies were published at Whitfield Printshop. Image: DC Thomson.

These pupils took part in National Newspaper Day in June 1992.

They produced The Craigie News.

New uniform

Pupils model their new school wear in the car park. — Pupils model their new school wear. Image: DC Thomson.

These pupils were showing off their new school attire in August 1993.

They all scrubbed up well for the camera.

New look

Prefects gather around a table to pose for the camera. — Prefects pose for the camera. Image: DC Thomson.

Senior prefects showed off their new school blazers in November 1993.

We wonder if any of them still have that blazer hanging in a wardrobe somewhere?

Puzzle book

Sixth year Craigie High pupils with copies of the Dundee Puzzle Book in December 1994, which they produced for the Young Enterprise scheme.

They sold the books for £2.

Prize-winners

Craigie High School students pictured with their trophies outside the school in June 1997. — High school students in June 1997. Image: DC Thomson.

Were you among the school prize-winners in June 1997?

Our picture shows the pupils outside the school with awards and trophies.

Winning line-up

Craigie High School prize-winners pictured outside the school with their awards — Craigie High School prize-winners. Image: DC Thomson.

More silverware in June 1999.

These pupils were all smiles as they showed off their prizes.

Welcome to the noughties

School prize-winners in June 2001.

Can you spot anyone you know in the picture?

Mountain talk

Mountaineer Jamie Andrew pictured in the assembly hall for a talk with senior pupils in April 2006. — Jamie Andrew at Craigie High School. Image: DC Thomson.

Mountaineer Jamie Andrew gave a talk to senior pupils in April 2006.

The quadruple amputee talked about how he overcame his disability.

Tannadice success

Craigie High players celebrate with the trophy on the pitch at Tannadice Park — Craigie High players celebrate at Tannadice. Image: DC Thomson.

The Craigie High team won the Dundee United Cup at Tannadice in May 2007.

Under-16 teams compete for the trophy.

Snow walk

Pupils walking along the path to school that has been cleared through the snow — Pupils walking along the path to school. Image: DC Thomson.

Scotland was battered by snow blizzards in December 2010.

These Craigie High pupils were returning to school in gloves and scarves.

School prom

Did you leave Craigie High in June 2011?

Our picture shows pupils at the leavers’ dinner at the Apex Hotel.

Creative writing

Pupils pose for a pic on a stairway at the magazine launch. — Pupils at the magazine launch. Image: DC Thomson.

Pupils were preparing to launch a new writing magazine in June 2012, which was a showcase for “personal and creative writing”.

It was launched at the celebration of achievements awards.

Inspiring women

Seated at a table as the girls gather around, firefighter Jen Thomson speaks to pupils from Craigie High about her job. — Jen Thomson with Craigie High pupils. Image: DC Thomson.

An inspiring women event was held at Michelin in October 2018.

Firefighter Jen Thomson spoke to pupils from Craigie High about her job.

Dundee Dance Festival

Craigie High pupils on stage during the open dance section. — Craigie High during the open dance section. Image: DC Thomson.

The Craigie High School team take to the Caird Hall stage.

They competed in the Dundee Secondary Schools Dance Festival in March 2020.

School leavers

The senior pupils pose before the event outside The McManus. — Craigie High School prom in 2023. Image: DC Thomson.

The 2023 prom took place at Chamber East in Dundee.

The senior pupils posed before the event outside The McManus.

It’s the final image in our Craigie High School gallery.

Did they bring back happy memories?