Dalmarnock school building 1893 -2005

The school was in the heart of its community, surrounded by small factories for the cotton and pottery industry, workers cottages and tenement flats. Across the main road the school overlooked Sir William Arrol's Engineering Works and Muirhead Leather Works, whilst behind soared the large chimney of the Atlas cotton works . This was a thriving community.

Over the years the school roll rose to over 1000 pupils at one time and then fell again with the decline in local industries and population in general.

Current plans to rejuvenate Glasgow's East End means that once again industry, housing and population are rising. This ensures that as Dalmarnock PS enters its 3rd century, and looks forward to a new school being built it shall remain in the heart of the community.

Dalmarnock has had very dedicated staff over the years and been fortunate in having great stability of staff also. School log books show us that over the 112 years there have been only 6 Head Teachers. 

Music has played a huge part in the life of the school and the choirs and players have had much success over the years in competitions and are in demand to entertain at events locally and throughout our City. Mrs. Winters was a founder member of the Bridgeton Music Project, set up to bring wide musical opportunities to the community and to promote traditional Scottish music within that community. She and Mrs.Owens have served as directors to the BMP for many years.

Dalmarnock P.S. prides itself on giving a warm welcome to Former pupils and visitors from all over the world. Through the interest of the school's HT, a magnificent collection of artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia has been amassed and treasured within the school and has been on show to the general public at 2 open exhibitions this year. The school website, maintained by former pupil, Will.McArthur, has been featured in several publications and on the Glasgow Intranet and Scottish Heads together as a model of good practice. Many more Former Pupils have resumed contact with the school through the website. It has also brought contacts from all over the world who previously did not know the school and who now visit or apply to work in Dalmarnock because of what they see on the website.

And so Dalmarnock PS moves on into the 21st century, maintaining all of it's sound traditions and embracing new challenges .The amalgamation of 4 schools will be completed when they move into a new building in 2006. This new school will contain all the technology and technical features required to fit the children and staff for the wonderful future ahead.

HeadTeacher Mrs Marjorie Winter's reply......

It is my privilege and pleasure to thank  Baillie Devine for her kind words on our school and such an accurate, succinct account of our history. I must also thank Glasgow City Council , our Education Department and in particular Mr. Ronnie O' Connor, our Director of Education for enabling this Civic honour to celebrate our 112 years of providing quality education and care to pupils of the Eastend.

Dalmarnock was originally a Church school, Bridgeton Parish School since 1874 until taken over by the School board of Glasgow who built our present purpose built school which opened in 1893. For many years it was thought that Dalmarnock was opened in 1905 and 2005 was long earmarked for our Centenary.

Stability of staff has been mentioned and -that is no mean feat to achieve but oh so vital for the security, happiness and progression of children . Dalmarnock has been very fortunate in keeping it's staff over the years. Last year during the visit of former dux Christina Edgar, she and I were showing a class her Dux medal from 1935. The children were duly admiring it and praising Christina for keeping it safe all those years, when one child turned to ME and said quite sincerely 'and were you 'Heidie' when Christina got her medal, Mrs.Winters ?'  I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry !  I have been the longest serving HT in the school and I do sometimes feel I have been here forever, but I take that child's remark as a testament to how young Christina looks and not that I'm like Methusala.

Dalmarnock school is valued in our Community PAST, PRESENT & we hope THE FUTURE. This is shown by the numbers of Former Pupils, Parents & staff past and present, and friends of the school from our community here to-night . I receive many letters and emails from this country and abroad from Former Pupils all with good, positive abiding memories of their time at Dalmarnock and of the teachers and support staff who nurtured them at the school. One Former Pupil ,only recently known to me when he wrote to the school congratulating us on our 112 years, shared some treasured memories in his card. Later, when I phoned to thank him and we were chatting ,he said something that is so true. "Most people remember their PS teachers , classmates and special events but take the rest for granted. They go on and make their way in life and only realise and appreciate when much older , the wealth of knowledge and life skills they actually gained at such an early age in PS."  That realisation ----no matter how long it takes to dawn , is what keeps myself and my staff beavering away. In Primary School we lay firm foundations on which our young people continue to build --------hopefully throughout their lives.

Centenary Plus year.... We have had a wonderful year of Celebration which included 

2 Historical  exhibitions,  open days.		A Traditional  Ceilidh
	Scottish  story telling		Centenary Plus  Concerts

 Centenary Plus Concerts in which every child participated , an International Visit and now this Civic Reception. After your meal you will be able to mingle and chat with friends new and old. Please remember to sign our guestbook and peruse our display before leaving the Chambers to-night. Also if you have been in touch with us but have not yet re-visited the school , please make yourself known to myself or my staff.

Next year our new school will be built and the latest amalgamation of Springfield, Barrowfield and London Road with Dalmarnock will be complete when we all move into the new school together. This new school will be fully equipped for 21st century education and we look forward to embracing new challenges whilst keeping our links with the past fresh in the the minds of our young people. Ladies and gentlemen ----------thank you for your continuing support. This is an evening to savour, to soak up the wonderful atmosphere of our splendid City Chambers , formally opened by Queen Victoria in 1888 -the same year that Glasgow School Board took over Bridgeton Parish school and renamed it Dalmarnock Public School. Dalmarnock Primary School has always cared for the whole child , showing concern for pupil welfare, good life experiences as well as academic standards. Now as the longest serving HT , let me share with you a quote from the longest serving member of The Glasgow School Board ,William Mitchell who in 1895 said, 'Education is the leading Spirit of the age, Education is not food, Education is not clothing, Education cannot take the place of home comforts, home training, home influences. Children must have the natural and material wants of the body supplied ere the benefits and blessings of education can be either received or valued.'

Tonight we enjoy Glasgow Civic hospitality and take pride in celebrating the life of 'oor wee school ' Dalmarnock tradition will live on in the new school where we will uphold our school motto ---'Simply the Best '

Wonderful speeches full of warmth and rich in history...a truly fitting tribute to everyone who has trod the corridors of our school. 
Thank you Mrs Winters......... webmaister x
I was unable to attend the Civic Reception as I was best man at a wedding, however I am delighted the evening was such a success...... well deserved plaudits all round!

Remember to sign our Guestbook                                                          Last updated 26 January 2011