Children face return of belt after 50 years

Published on Saturday 24 May 2008 10:57

IT once struck fear into thousands of youngsters, but now the belt used to punish pupils at Liberton High School is to form part of an exhibition marking its 50th anniversary.

Old photographs, memories from past and present pupils, a history of Liberton's last 50 years, and a reconstruction of a coal mine marking the area's heritage are all set to feature.

Storytelling will also play a major part, with children at the school working with writers, musicians and artists to create a history project.

It is also hoped the exhibition – set to cost 25,000 – will go on to tour the local area. School librarian Christine Babbs, who is co-ordinating the 50th anniversary celebrations, has worked at Liberton for 22 years after starting there as a pupil in 1974.

She said: "There's quite a few people who came back to the school as staff after being a pupil here. I think there is a lot of affection for the school.

"The anniversary will allow young people who are currently at the school to look at their own heritage and area and celebrate the last 50 years of the school.

"When I first came to this area many years ago, there was still mining here, so the community has definitely changed a lot.

"That will play an important part in the exhibition and I am hoping that people will be able to go into some kind of recreated coal mine and have that experience and then come out into a bright white area to mark the shift over the past 50 years."

Learning assistant Iris O'Brien is also a former Liberton High pupil and knows only too well what it's like to be on the receiving end of the dreaded belt.

The 61-year-old started school in 1959, just a few months after it opened.

She said: "When I came to the school it was brand new, everything was shiny, and there were hardly any kids here. One of the big changes between what it was like then and what it's like now is the discipline.

"I remember getting the belt just for clicking my pen. In fact, I always seemed to be getting the belt for doing nothing at all. I also used to get lines all the time – the kids don't get lines these days."

Although the school is still waiting to find out if it has secured funding for the project, it has the backing of major organisations including the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh University, Scottish Mining Museum and the General Register Office.

Former pupils are being invited to a traditional school disco in the summer, with people expected to fly over from Australia and New Zealand especially for the reunion. One of the other major events will be a Dragon's Den-style contest involving current pupils.

The school is looking for local entrepreneurs to act as "dragons" and judge the business initiatives of the young people. Former teachers are also being invited to get in touch with the school to share their memories for inclusion in the exhibition.

The school first opened in August 1958, and the official opened was held in May the following year.