In a month’s time, Anne, The Princess Royal will open a new North-east school. The ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Midmill school, located in Kintore, Aberdeenshire will take place on 1 March.
The state-of-the-art facility cost £11.5 million to build. It opened to students in November of last year. Scott Calder, head teacher at Midmill told the Kintore community website on the first day of school about being part of the process of creating and establishing a new school: “The most rewarding thing about being a teacher is seeing the journey young people take on their lives throughout school,” Scott commented. “It’s always great to hear how well pupils are doing once they leave primary school and move on to secondary education.
“I’ve been very lucky with the opportunities I’ve had in my career. As Depute Head Teacher at Hill of Banchory, I was able to support the staff team and head teacher to set up a brand new school and now I can take everything I’ve learned from that experience so that Midmill School can aim for excellence too.”
Midmill is serving as a temporary school to students from Kinellar Primary School whilst a new facility is currently under construction.
Back in June of last year, the Evening Express reported that the former school was destroyed by firebugs on New Year’s Day. The nursery and P1 classroom were destroyed. The £12,193,150 facility will be located on the same property as the former school. It will be able to accommodate 450 pupils, will have a nursery for 40 students. It will have a multi-use games area, community park and additional car parking.
Provost of Aberdeenshire Hamish Vernal told the Evening Express about The Princess Royal’s upcoming visit: “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming HRH The Princess Royal to Aberdeenshire again at the start of March.
“Midmill School is a wonderful new, modern building and staff and pupils were thrilled to move into it in November.
“Aberdeenshire is very proud of its links with the Royal Family and Her Royal Highness’s visit to officially open the school will be a very special occasion we’re all looking forward to.”