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 Grove Academy.
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
George Thomson returned to visit his old school in April 1970.
The Dundee East Labour MP became one of Britain’s first European commissioners and he spoke to pupils about a variety of issues when he returned to the school.
Grove Academy under-15s were beaten 13-0 by Lawside in October 1971 according to the caption on this photograph from our archives.
Was this right, and, if so, did the manager stay in a job afterwards?
Grove pupils are ready to board the SS Uganda at Dundee docks in June 1973.
These cruises were often the first experience of foreign travel for students who would learn about history, geography, religions, foreign languages and currency.
Do you recognise anyone from this picture of the Grove boys hockey team being presented with the Scottish Challenge Trophy in June 1976?
They all look mighty pleased with themselves and rightly so!
Graham Milne, McCallum Murray and Ewen Cameron are pictured learning how to cook during a lesson which was taking place in October 1976.
What dishes do you remember making at school?
1980s
Read all about it!
These pupils are celebrating the 100th issue of the school’s news magazine in February 1987 and we wonder if anyone went on to enjoy a career in the media?
These pupils were celebrating being chosen as Dundee United ball boys for the Uefa Cup final second-leg against Gothenburg at Tannadice in May 1987.
Ultimately, however, that May 20 game was just one too many for United in the most draining of seasons and they finished runners-up in the tournament.
Grove pupils are pictured in June 1987 proudly displaying a very attractive home-made banner they made to celebrate their twinning links with a German school.
Does anyone remember what the twin school was called?
There is a long history of theatre and performance at Grove Academy.
The cast of The Wizard pose for the camera before the curtains go up in May 1988.
Pupils and staff pose in the canteen in this picture from November 1989.
Did the food being served up pass the taste test back in the day?
1990s
Modern music blurs the lines between genres more than ever before.
That appears true in this image from 1991 although the caption gives no clue as to what was happening here but maybe someone will remember this mashup?
Up next is this image from 1995.
It finds pupils during rehearsals for their production of Godspell in June 1995 which appears to feature everyone from a would-be Jesus to Halloween’s Michael Myers!
Welcome to Dundee’s West Park conference centre in 1999.
Jennifer Birnie, Amy Lindsay, Rosalind Morgan and Nikki Jack are representing the school at the eighth DUCATS (Dundee University Challenges Academics, Technologists and Scientists of the future) Challenge.
These pupils took part in the procession to mark the official opening of the Scottish Parliament by Her Majesty The Queen in July 1999.
Over 2,500 people took part in what was described as the colourful, historic ‘Riding’ procession down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to celebrate the historic day.
2000s
School’s officially out and it was time to party!
Our picture finds these senior pupils enjoying the Sixth Year Dance at the Woodlands Hotel in Broughty Ferry after leaving school for the very last time.
Kind-hearted pupils pose with a mountain of teddy bears in 2004.
Staff and pupils had been collecting the furry friends (all looking very similar despite the clothing) which were being sent to sick children in Romania.
These pupils and teachers were taking part in a trip to Kenya back in 2011.
Teachers Fiona McIntosh, Marjorie Kerr and Neal Millar look on as pupils Matthew Andrews, Katie Bruce and Danielle Parsons point at the country on the globe.
Forty pupils and six staff flew across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA in October 2018.
Pupils from modern studies, politics, music and drama took part in a jam-packed trip to see the most famous sights in both Washington DC and New York City.
At the beginning of March 2019, the Advanced Higher Physics classes enjoyed a long weekend in Geneva, learning a lot about science, but also other world affairs.
During the trip they visited the Old Town in Geneva and experienced panoramic views of the city and the lake from the top of St Pierre Cathedral.
Conversation