On 6 March 1909, in keeping with Inverurie's growing importance as a locomotive works centre, a new Higher Grade School was opened under the name of Inverurie Academy. Mr James Philip was appointed headmaster; the Academy became noted as a secondary school and a training centre for pupil teachers.

Under Dr Gordon Lawson who succeeded Mr Philip in 1928, the school began to develop an academic reputation. Dr Norman Dixon's headship (1947-76) saw several important developments, including the raising of the school leaving age and large growth in pupil numbers. During the fifties and sixties, massive building programmes took place doubling the size of the original granite building by adding the flat-roofed, concrete-and-glass archetecture of that era.

As late as the 1970s, this Academy took pupils from as far away as Strathdon and Bucksburn. The increase in population in Gordon has led to a reduction in the size of our catchment area which, with the opening of Meldrum Academy in August 2002, now takes in Insch, Oyne, Chapel of Garioch, Keithhall, Hatton of Fintray, Port Elphinstone, St Andrews School and the three Inverurie primary schools.

Mr Alasdair Hogg was appointed Rector in 1976, and presided over a period of intense change, both in the extension and refurbishment of the Academy, and in the transformation of the curriculum. Mr Hogg retired in December 1999.

Mr Douglas Milne was appointed Rector in January 2000 and took up post at Easter of that year.

In the new Millennium, links with the community, industry and local businesses continue to flourish.

INVERURIE ACADEMY SCHOOL BADGE

The badge was matriculated, or in plain English registered, with the office of the Lord Lyon on the 4th April 1950. It appears in the Public Register of all Arms and Bearings in Scotland, which contains an official copy of every coat of arms granted in Scotland since 1672.

For those who may have some incontrollable desire to read the extract of matriculation, it appears on the 159th page of the 37th volume of the Public Register of all Arms and Bearings in Scotland. The motto of the school Spiritus Intus Alit  appears under the badge. For those a bit rusty on their Latin it translates "The spirit within sustains".

In the extract of matriculation a well defined and not at all confusing descritption of the crest can be found.

Videlicit: Parted per pale, dexter, or a fess chequy Argent and Azure between three open crowns; Gules; sinister, Azure, two castles in fess or; masoned sable, windows and portcullis Gules; on a chief pale Azure and or, an open book proper between two quills in pale counter changed.

If your first language is not heraldic here is an explanation of some of the terms:

Azure- Blue; Gules- Red; Sable- Black; Argent- Silver or gold; Pale- A band placed vertically in the midlle of the shiled; Fess- Horizontally; Chief- Upper part; Counter changed- Applied to a field.

The two quills in the upper part of the badge show the Inverurie Academy is a co-educational school. The lighter coloured quill represents the girls, and the darker quill the boys. The two are united through education, represented by the open book. The two towers on the right of the lower part represent the two ancient seats of power, which protected the Garioch, namely the Mormaers of Mar, and the Earls of the Garioch. The colours red and gold are the colours of the Earl of Garioch, and blue and gold are those of Mar. The blue and silver chequered section, together with the three crown, represent the arms of the Earl of Garioch. This also features on the arms of Alexander Stewart, husband of Isobel, Countess of Mar and Lody of Garioch.

I hope this little article casts some light on the history of Inverurie Academy's school badge. In no way does it claim to be a critical analysis of the badge but a simple explanation of its history and meaning.

Now when anyone asks you about its history you can enlighten him or her with your new found knowledge of the school badge. Remember the motto Spiritus Intus Alit!