Some say our school days are the best of our lives.
When we are studying, most of us hate the very mention of school but, once we leave, you can’t help but feel nostalgic and rekindle special memories.
We have been searching high and low in the DC Thomson archives to find retro pictures of classes, school trips and sports teams from Northfield Academy in Aberdeen.
These striking old photos span five decades – from the 1970s to the noughties – and they are sure to stir some fond memories for former pupils.
So let’s go back to school for a trip down memory lane!
1970s
Our first image is from 1970.
We find a group of pupils displaying a huge array of pottery in the art department.
They certainly look like they have been busy!
Up next is a slightly chillier scene from 1977!
Stewart Finnie receives coaching from PE teacher John Fraser at Donald’s Ice Rink as other fifth-year boys from Northfield Academy look on.
Those classic 1970s jumpers were certainly needed as the pupils were having their first taste of the sport which became part of their school curriculum.
Staying in 1977 and we find some eye-catching fashion on display!
Pupils modelled clothes at this first-year parents’ night fashion show although quite why a football is being held up for the photo is anyone’s guess!
Can you spot anyone you know in this photo?
These pupils were pumping iron in this photo from 1978!
A multigym complex – the first one to be installed in a school in the region – was only weeks old, but already it has been voted a massive success by pupils and staff.
Our image shows the pupils trying out the £2,000 equipment.
No prizes for spotting the Dons legend in this picture from 1979.
The school’s victorious under-13 football team swept all before them and romped through their league programme undefeated.
Aberdeen manager Alex Ferguson went along to the school’s morning assembly to present the league trophy to the triumphant team.
1980s
Welcome to 1980!
Northfield Academy pupil Michele Reid proudly received the Gordon Cook Foundation for citizenship education award from Lord Provost Alex Collie.
Donna Manson, Agnes Reid, Angela Watt, Jennifer D’andilly and Karen Gerrard also gained an award for writing an essay nominating their citizen of the year.
The cast of Northfield Academy Panto Group are pictured in 1982.
The Grand Old of Duke of York did not quite run to 10,000 men but fittingly, of those present when our photographer called, some were high up, some were down, and two were neither up nor down!
Were you one of the cast who performed?
A proud moment for these Northfield Academy pupils in 1983.
A sponsored silence undertaken by first-year pupils raised £900 towards a hyperbaric chamber for multiple sclerosis sufferers in Aberdeen.
Well done folks!
Move over David Bellamy!
1986 finds the Northfield Academy Biology Club having won the National Trust for Scotland Heritage Trophy for their conservation project at Drum Oakwood.
The Northfield project was masterminded by Dr Richard Marriott, head of the biology department and carried out over a period of six years.
More green-fingers in this image from 1989!
The 1B2 science class pupils did the spadework in a special tree planting ceremony to mark National Tree Week.
Can you spot anyone you know in this image?
1990s
We are loving the jumper and the dance moves in this image from 1992!
Getting in trim at Northfield Academy were fitness instructor Samantha Lee and her pupils Norma Stephen, Pauline Campbell, Bill Innes, and Nicola Robertson.
It was an initiative to bridge the generation gap between Northfield Academy pupils and over-50s in the community in conjunction with the Grampian Heart Campaign.
These Northfield Academy youngsters were in fine voice in 1992.
They performed the Jungle Book classic King of the Swingers in Spanish at the Northern Festival of Languages which was held at the AECC.
I wonder if any of the group still know the lyrics?
These lads look happy in our next shot from 1992 – and rightly so!
The Northfield Academy under-13s football team were about to head off on a tour of Canada which was sponsored by the Evening Express.
Did anyone go on to make a career out of the game?
These celebrations wouldn’t look out of place at Pittodrie!
It’s 1993 and the scarves are being flown by pupils and Imperial Cancer research fund area manager Alan Walker to celebrate some fundraising success.
The youngsters raised £310 through their work at the research shop.
Aberdeen players Robbie Winters and Mark Perry were full of beans in 1999.
They donned chef hats as they visited Northfield Academy Health Fair and first year pupil Jenna Currie was on the receiving end of Robbie’s cooking!
Did they pass the taste test Jenna?
The noughties
Welcome to the new millennium!
It’s 2005 and we find these pupils looking to raise funds to support the humanitarian relief efforts following the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004.
They hosted a Pop Idol concert and Lord Provost John Reynolds grabbed a guitar to promote the event with Laura Rogers, Philip Miller and Natalie Urquhart.
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006.
These senior pupils threw up some jazz hands to mark the occasion!
Were you among those celebrating?
These pupils are in fine voice in this image from 2007!
Grampian Police chose pupils from Northfield Academy to be the opening act at the ‘Choices for Life’ event which took place at the AECC.
The main objective was to raise awareness amongst young people aged 11-18 about the risks and dangers of substance use and misuse, including smoking, alcohol consumption and drugs.
Our next image shows a group of pupils flying high in 2013.
They were pictured on an educational visit to Bond Helicopters in Dyce.
Can you spot anyone you know in the picture?
Finally we go back to 2015 for some clowning around!
Deputy head Moira Pollock was game for a laugh for some Comic Relief fun.
A fitting image to finish our fond look back at the life and times of Northfield Academy!
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