St Mary's School, Melrose Explained

St Mary's School
Coordinates:	55.598°N -2.731°W
Motto:	Behalde to ye hende (Look to your future)
Established:	1895
Type:	Preparatory school Day & Boarding School
Head Label:	Headmaster
Head:	Liam Harvey
Founder:	John Hamilton
Address:	Abbey Park
City:	Melrose
Country:	Scotland
Postcode:	TD6 9LN
Lower Age:	2
Upper Age:	13
Website:	http://www.stmarysmelrose.org.uk

St Mary's School is a private, co-educational, day and boarding prep school in Melrose, Scotland.^[1] As of 2015 there are 190 pupils; 97 boys and 93 girls.

History

St Mary's School was established in 1895 by John Hamilton as a school for boys.^[2] The school remains at its original location in Abbey Park, Melrose, and is named after St Mary's Abbey, Melrose. In 1976 the school became co-educational.^[3]

The school motto is Behalde to ye hende, which means Look to your future in old Scots.^[4]

In July 2010 the school opened the Hamilton Building, named after the founder, for the use of the top three years' pupils.

The headmaster, Liam Harvey, took charge in September 2010 and is a former pupil of the school.

In March 2015 the Sanderson Building, a new science and art block, was opened by Princess Anne.^[5]

St Mary's School has produced seventeen rugby union internationals, six of whom have represented the British and Irish Lions.^[6]

Notable alumni

• Roger Baird (born 1960), Scotland and Lions rugby union international.^[7]
• Richard Scott, 10th Duke of Buccleuch (born 1954), landowner and Chief of Clan Scott.^[8]
• John Cameron, Lord Abernethy (born 1937), High Court Judge.
• Arthur Dorward (1925–2015), Scotland rugby union international.^[9]
• Tom Elliot (1926–1998), Scotland and Lions rugby union international.^[10]
• Sir Russell Fairgrieve (1924–1999), Conservative and Unionist politician.^[11]
• John Jeffrey (born 1959), Scotland and Lions rugby union international.^[12]
• Gordon Waddell (1937–2012), Scotland and Lions rugby union international.^[13]

External links

• St Mary's School website
• St Mary's School page on Scottish Schools Online
• Profile on the Independent Schools Council website
• Profile on the Good Schools Guide

Notes and References

1. St Mary's Melrose . . 2016 . 26 January 2016.
2. Web site: History . St Mary's School, Melrose . 2016 . 28 January 2016.
3. News: St. Mary's School, Melrose . . 1986 . 29 January 2016.
4. St Mary's Melrose . Tatler . 2015 . 26 January 2016.
5. Web site: Buildings . St Mary's School, Melrose . 2016 . 28 January 2016.
6. Web site: Rugby . St Mary's School, Melrose . 2016 . 28 January 2016.
7. Book: Connor, Jeff . Giants of Scottish Rugby . . 2011 . 978-1780572888.
8. News: New building, new head: St Mary's starts school year in style . The Southern Reporter . 8 September 2010 . 27 January 2016.
9. News: Arthur Dorward . . 10 August 2015 . 26 January 2016.
10. News: Tom Elliot . . 16 May 1998 . 25. .
11. Web site: Sir Russell Fairgrieve . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-sir-russell-fairgrieve-1072485.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live . . 22 February 1999 . 27 January 2016.
12. News: John Jeffrey handed Moredun honorary fellowship . . 16 September 2014 . 26 January 2016.
13. News: Gordon Waddell . . 23 August 2012 . 26 January 2016.