It's Ally at the local paper up in Wick, in the Far North of Scotland.

I read of your appeal for former pupils to get in touch to let you know where they are now and what they are up to. As a former pupil myself, from 1991 to 1997, I thought I would offer my name forward if I can be of any help.

I was never the model student but I really enjoyed my time at Galashiels Academy and it stood me in good stead for my career as a journalist. I may not have worked on the national papers but they have bought stories off me and I have interviewed a host of celebrities - from Queen guitarist Brian May to Orkney's Big Brother winner Cameron Stout - that some pupils might find of interest.

Also, following on from my Braw Lads essay competition win at school, I have gone on to be awarded a prize for writing every year I have been a full-time reporter.

If you think I might be able to help and you would like to find out more please do not hesitate to contact me by email: a.mcgilvrayATnosn.co.uk or on my work number: 01955 602424.

Regards,
Ally McGilvray
John O'Groat Journal/Caithness Courier

I also read your appeal for former pupils to get in touch so here I am. My maiden name was Grieve and went to Gala Academy through 1966/1969. I too was not a model pupil but I have happy memories of my time there. I married in 1974 and moved to Northampton were I lived for 17 years with my husband and two daughters. Then my husband was transferred to Montreal Canada were with lived for 6 years. At present we live in New Jersey USA and have been here for 10 years. I work for a well known stock brokerage company. I do get home to Gala every now and then as my parents and sister are still there. Maybe next time I should take a walk up to see the old place, it's been a long time.

Carole A McGinn

Hi
    Was looking to see what the old school was up to and say your request for ex-pupils to get in touch so thought I'd leave a message. I attended the academy from 1989 to 1995 before going to Edinburgh University to study Biology/Virology, since then I've done a PhD in immunology at the Institute for Animal Health and worked on vaccines for various exotic animal diseases including Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever. I now work for an agency of DEFRA licensing veterinary vaccines, so I've had a pretty varied career since leaving school and taken the kind of career path I'd never even considered while I was at school. There are so many exciting opportunities out there in science and it's really important to get kids into these subjects early, I've got great Biology teachers at the academy to thank for my early interest and if there is anything I could do to help encourage more kids into the sciences and science careers I'd be keen to help.

Dr Catrina Stirling
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Woodham Lane
New Haw
Addlestone
Surrey
KT15 3LS

I was a pupil at the Gala Academy and was a pupil there around 1964/65 .

I enjoyed my time at the school and often go visit when I return to Gala for a holiday or to visit family - the school blazer - those butchers stripes - oh the memories - lost touch with most of my friends now - but still think about my time spent there - Cubby brown...my favourite teacher....

Am now living in Essex.

Wendy Kirkwood (nee Patterson)

I moved to Galashiels in 1986 from just north of Toronto, Ontario.  I remember my first day at the Academy, 15 years old, wearing my thoroughly Canadian clothes, and how I stuck out like a sore thumb!  The friendships I developed in that first year remain strong and I have the encouragement from Miss Bracks/Mrs Campbell to thank for everything else I achieved after I left school and university.  I know I frustrated her with my incessant chatter most times but she always knew how to handle my big mouth and back chat.  I moved back to Canada in 1999 and feel very proud to say that I achieved my education in Scotland and the experiences I brought back with me make me feel like Galashiels will always be my home.

Adrienne Ness, BSc, CIP, ACS

Hello!

My name is Sharon Fell and I started at Galashiels academy in 1988. My favourite places to be were the English, Art and Music department. My son now goes to the Academy and I was delighted to see some of the teachers -especially my favourites : ) are still there- Mr Aitken and Mr Patterson, and funnily enough are also a big hit with my son! I was always known for my art at the academy and still treasure my medals that I won for my artwork : ) although I do remember being banned from a poster competition once because everyone said if I entered they wouldn't bother : (  and I did learn a lot of geography Mr Patterson despite taking too long on my illustrations ; ) *hehe*

I left the Academy to live and work in America, I then studied media & graphic design and went on to work as a graphic illustrator for a publishing company, after getting married and having chilldren I studied to become a holistic health therapist and also now work part time in St Peters school where my other son goes.

I have kept in touch with a few of my class mates but would LOVE to have a reunion it would be great to see what everyone else has been up to from my year.

Take Care all and btw I feel really old now that my own son is at the Academy!!!!

Sharon

Hi there,

I started Galashiels Academy in 1980.  I have to admit that my time at school mainly consisted of messing around and skipping classes.  That said, looking back on it all brings back some really great memories.  I left school in 1984 with not much in the way of qualifications.

It took a few years but I finally realized that my time spent at school would have been better spent actually learning something.  Maybe those teachers were right all along.  So I got my head into gear and went to college.  College was followed by university and a degree in computer science.  Nowadays I live and work in Columbus, Ohio as a software developer.

All the best to you.

John Robinson

I was a pupil at the Gala Academy and was a pupil there around 1974/76.

Now living in Plymouth and work as pre-school teacher for the Methodist church

I lived in Melrose

John Scott

Good evening (our time, New Zealand).

Almost by accident I found the school website, looked at the list of FPs, saw several old friends, and wondered why the hell I wasn't in there!

Probably 'cos I never made the Scottish team, like Creamy Telfer, young Gregor (I played the sensible game of soccer with his - I think uncle -  Jack Townsend, then Syme Place - Dunc Paterson (where did you get the Chris from? Duncan was scrum half for a while... as was Dave Hardie before him, and not that long before that, Arthur Dorward)

I knew Dod Burrell - he was in fact a good pal of my Dad's, but he came to NZ as team manager, we had a jar or two in Wanganui, with Scott Amos , if I recall rightly. Many years ago now.

Cheers

Tom (class of '52 - 57)

Dear All,

I'm trying to get in touch with an old school friend from Galashiels Academy. We were in the same year and both former pupils of 'the Acadeny' - our years being 1990-1996. Karen went off to Oxford University to read material engineering, I went to Edinburgh University to read Biological Sciences.

Her name was Karen Campbell, whether she is married, divorced, whatever, I would like to get back in touch. My name was Karen Lumsden at school, and am contactable on this email address.

Thankyou

Hi there

Just been looking at the Gala Academy web site and the old place still going.  I went to Gala academy 88-92,  remember some of my teachers and frankly hated school,  but I guess most kids did back then probably still do.  I thought I'd send a message on to see if anyone comes back to me.   It will be interesting to see how folks have moved on. 

I left Gala Academy in '92 hoping to go on and do an administration course at college,  but after that summer I took seriously ill and couldn't return, only got one day at college. After being off for 9 months tried to go back but it didn't work, so to cut a long story short I wasn't well for a good few years after that; then I met my now husband. 

At 20 I moved up to Fife and I got an admin qualification and IT qualification at West Fife Enterprise in Torryburn,  after many jobs and much more time sick, got married in 2003 I fell into a job working in a brand new after-school club here in Dunfermline for special needs teenagers with all sort of emotional and psychological and learning needs.  I am still there as a Childcare Practioner after 3 and half years.  During this time I have got a qualification in health and social care and other in-house training. 

No kids of my own but a very different person from what I was back then much more outgoing and love what I do hoping to venture into nursery nursing at some point. Thank you to all the teachers that TRIED their best with me; guess I just wasn't that academical back then; still not great but I get by and my life is fab, and that's more important. 

Hope to hear from you's soon. 

Carol Reid(Power)