The fire of 2001 was a devastating time for everyone associated with Morgan Academy. But in the last of our special articles marking the 10th anniversary of the blaze, then rector Alan Constable tells Stefan Morkis how it also marked a new beginning for the school and forged a feeling of togetherness that remains to this day.
Alan Constable’s tenure as rector of Morgan Academy can easily be described as the most dramatic in the school’s long history.
Not only did he watch the school burn to the ground, he was there to help ensure it rose phoenix-like from the ashes.
Now retired from teaching, Mr Constable lives in St Andrews and advises on educational projects for construction firm Mansell the company responsible for rebuilding the devastated high school.
Ten years on from one of the biggest ever fires in Dundee, Mr Constable said the school spirit that was forged in the flames will never be lost.
“I think, like everybody that night and I’m talking about staff, pupils, parents and the community I was aware of a real devastating feeling,” he said.
“When it started we thought it was going to be just a small part of the building affected but as the wind picked up and it moved round the building we realised we were going to lose the whole school.
“Once the shock settled we started to ask what we were going to do. It was amazing how people pulled together.
“I have mixed feelings the fire was devastating but out of it came a great spirit, with all the staff and pupils working together. And that feeling is still there today.”
The rebuilding effort not only retained Morgan’s Victorian facade immortalised on canvas by the artist J. McIntosh Patrick but allowed the city council to make much-needed improvements to the building.
While that work was being carried out, however, pupils and staff turned the former Rockwell School into their home for three years.
“It was a hard three years and we made the accommodation our home,” said Mr Constable. “My main memory is of the huge response we got not just from the staff and pupils, but from the whole community.”To see more on our special series on the Morgan Academy fire, click here.