News / Emotions high as new Anderson opens
EMOTIONS were running high at the new Anderson High School on Friday morning as pupils set foot in the building for the first time.
A pipe band soundtracked the schoolchildren as they entered the £55.75 million school from the Clickimin Leisure Complex, while the Lerwick Brass Band performed inside.
The secondary four, five and six pupils – thought to be around 400-450 in number – then attended a special assembly.
The first pupil through the door was Kaylee-Ann Best, who was followed by Cintia Fazekas, Martyna Lotowska and twins Leila and Matthew Lyall.
Shetland Islands Council director of children’s services Helen Budge was emotional as she looked on, while education and families committee chairman George Smith and his deputy Theo Smith gave commemorative badges to pupils as they walked in.
Secondary one, two and three pupils will start using the school on Monday and it is hoped the elder children will show them around the building.
Budge said after the ceremony that the day was “so special” and was a massive moment for education in Shetland.
“It’s huge, because so some many folk and so many generations have spoken about a new Anderson High School. And so many folk across the whole of Shetland have a connection with it – either they went to the old school, or they stayed in the hostel, or they worked there,” she said.
“After 155 years, here we have a brand new building for the first time, to replace that school. It’s really special for me, it’s fantastic for all the folk across the council that have worked really hard to get to this stage, and the contractors and sub-contractors who have worked on the project.
“Everybody feels they’ve made a peerie bit of history. Today we’ve created history for so many folk.”
Budge said there was a “tear in my eye” when the first pupils passed through the doors.
I was speechless,” she said. “I was just so proud to be part of it.”
Seventeen year old pupil Michael Jamieson said he was looking forward to trying out the new building.
“It’s very exciting. It should be very fancy and modern,” he said.
Jamieson added that he “didn’t like the layout” of the old Anderson and “how it was spread out”.
Lerwick North councillor John Fraser was in attendance and he said it was a “very proud day for the whole of Shetland”.
“It’s a momentous occasion that’s been a long time coming,” he said.
“I just hope that every child the length and breadth of Shetland loves their new education environment and that they thrive upon it.
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