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Gallery: Happy memories of schooldays at Danestone Primary School

Many youngsters across Aberdeen will have just started school for the first time, but Danestone pupils in 1986 were the first pupils at a brand-new school in the city suburb. Take a look at our photos of the first few years of Danestone Primary School.

A big welcome for all their Primary One school friends from the first three pupils at the new Danestone Primary School, Bridge of Don, which opened its doors in 1986. From left, Hannah Hesp, Lynsey Anderson, and Andrew Pirie, show off their special welcoming sign.
A big welcome for all their Primary One school friends from the first three pupils at the new Danestone Primary School, Bridge of Don, which opened its doors in 1986. From left, Hannah Hesp, Lynsey Anderson, and Andrew Pirie, show off their special welcoming sign.

Danestone Primary School was built at the heart of one of Aberdeen’s fastest-growing new communities when it opened its doors in April 1986.

A design of its time, Danestone Primary was a single-storey open-plan building to accommodate 210 pupils, with head teacher Jean Corse at the helm.

But there was a little controversy ahead of its opening – it was already too small for the growing suburb.

Plans to double its size and make room for a further 210 pupils were approved before it was even open, to accommodate the growing suburb.

When it opened after the Easter holidays in 1986, there were just 75 pupils, but the role was set to increase exponentially through the increase in housebuilding.

The first three pupils at Aberdeen’s newest school were Hannah Hesp, Lynsey Anderson and Andrew Pirie, who made a special welcoming sign for classmates.

Did you go to Danestone Primary, perhaps you’ll recognise some familiar faces in these nostalgic pictures from the ’80s and ’90s?

Danestone Primary School pictures

Primary 1 and 2 pupils Sharon Dawson, Vicky Morran and Caroline Sinclair enjoy the sandpit in their classroom at Danestone Primary School in 1986.
1986: First day fun for Primary 1 and 2 pupils, from left, Sharon Dawson, Vicky Morran and Caroline Sinclair who thought the sandpit in their new classroom at Danestone Primary School was great fun. Image: DC Thomson
Primary 4/5 class pupils at Danestone producing star gift tags for their Christmas presents in 1987.
1987: Beware wet paint… Catriona Brown, front, and primary 4/5 class pupils at Danestone were hard at work producing star gift tags for their Christmas presents. Image: DC Thomson
Class of primary 6/7 students in 1987.
1987: Primary 6/7 pupils at Danestone Primary put their neighbourhood under the microscope when they came up with a blueprint of a community to provide a few pointers for their parents ahead of a public meeting. The project included a computer survey of community needs. Image: DC Thomson
Danestone Primary teacher Christine Wilson with a group of pupils showing off handmade Christmas decorations in 1987.
1987: Danestone Primary pupil Diana Walker, front left, shows the snowflake patterns primary 5/6 have been making for Christmas decorations. With teacher Christine Wilson are, from left, Emily Hesp, Richard Cargill, Derek Alexander and Steven McConnachie. Image: DC Thomson
Classmates Lee Cruickshank and Emma Mitchell are deafened by Hannah Hesp's drumming during the primary 3/4 Christmas music rehearsals in 1987.
1987: Classmates at Danestone, Lee Cruickshank, left, and Emma Mitchell are deafened by Hannah Hesp’s drumming during the primary 3/4 Christmas music rehearsals. Image: DC Thomson
Graeme Munro, a member of the Friends of Danestone Primary School Award Trust, presents Emily Hesp and Andrew Pearson with awards for being the pupils who worked hardest in primary school work for the year 1989-90.
1990: Graeme Munro, a member of the Friends of Danestone Primary School Award Trust, presents Emily Hesp, left, and Andrew Pearson with awards for being the pupils who worked hardest in primary school work for the year 1989-90. Image: DC Thomson
Primary 7 children from Danestone Primary School get ready to perform Star of Wonder at the school's Christmas concert, Spirit of Christmas in 1990.
1990: Primary seven children from Danestone Primary School get ready to perform Star of Wonder at the school’s Christmas concert, Spirit of Christmas. Image: DC Thomson
Gillian Roy, 10, lifts some of the supplies donated to Danestone Primary to be handed over to hospital and relief workers in Romania as part of a humanitarian appeal following conflict in the country in 1990.
1990: Gillian Roy, 10, lifts some of the supplies donated to Danestone Primary to be handed over to hospital and relief workers in Romania as part of a humanitarian appeal following conflict in the country. Image: DC Thomson
Danestone pupils Emily Scott-Wilson, Mathew Cameron, Steven Alexander, Andrew Greig, and Craig Shirron tuck in to some tasty Hallowe'en treats in 1990.
1990: Danestone pupils Emily Scott-Wilson, Mathew Cameron, Steven Alexander, Andrew Greig, and Craig Shirron can’t resist tucking in to some tasty Hallowe’en treats. Image: DC Thomson
Two pupils of Danestone Primary School, Rachael Douglas and Elaine Duncan, with some of the £1,800 worth of books which the school won in the Partners in Excellence scheme in 1992.
1992: Two pupils of Danestone Primary School, Rachael Douglas, left, and Elaine Duncan, with some of the £1,800 worth of books which the school won in the Partners in Excellence scheme. Image: DC Thomson
Pupils Graeme Bell, Michelle Shirron and Tracey Barclay after they were voted as Danestone Primary School's best workers in 1992.
1992: Youngsters at Danestone Primary School had to vote for the girl and boy they thought were the best workers, with honours shared by two girls. Winners were 11 year olds Graeme Bell, Michelle Shirron, left, and Tracey Barclay. Image: DC Thomson
Danestone Primary School music teacher, Helen Fraser, with her primary 7 music class in 1992.
1992: Danestone Primary School music teacher, Helen Fraser, with her primary 7 music class who composed a song on the subject of Freedom which was runner-up in a national competition. Showing the certificate they were awarded for their Sing Freedom song is Barry Gilmour and Mrs Fraser, while to their right, Lisa Scott, Gillian Ray and Claire Taggart supplied the musical accompaniment. Image: DC Thomson
Danestone Primary pupils smile for pictures as they set off for a trip to Aviemore in 1993.
1993: It was all smiles for the pupils of Danestone Primary as they set off for a trip to Aviemore. Image: DC Thomson

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