St Leonards School and the University of St Andrews celebrate amazing milestone

Published on isbi School News dated Thursday 15th of November 2012

St Leonards School has celebrated the 500th anniversary of education beginning on the site of the school campus.
The Headmaster of St Leonards, Dr Michael Carslaw, was joined by representatives of St Andrews University to commemorate the founding of the University's St Leonard's College - after which the school is named on the location in 1512.
To mark the historic occasion, Dr Carslaw and Professor Malcolm MacLeod, Provost of St Leonard's College, which is now the focus of activity for the University's postgraduate and research staff community, planted a commemorative tree.
Meanwhile, St Leonards pupils took part in St Leonards Day, a colourful event in which they dress up in their "house" colours and participate in various activities in celebration of the school and its own history, which dates back to 1877.
Dr Carslaw said, 'This anniversary is a chance to remind today's pupils at St Leonards that their place of learning is founded on 500 years of educational excellence.'
Professor MacLeod said, "This represents a tremendous opportunity to foster further links between the University, St Leonards School, and the community more generally. In this very special year, it seems particularly fitting that we mark this occasion not only with a tree planting ceremony but also a series of musical and sporting events between St Leonards School and the University which we hope will continue for many years to come."
Much of the history of the ancient College lives on at St Leonards School. For instance, the block which contained the original college lecture rooms and dormitories is enclosed by one of the school's teaching blocks.
Reflecting the history that they share, today close links exist between the school, the college and indeed the wider University.
Each year the School appoints the St Leonards Associate Researcher, typically a PhD student at the College, who acts as a point of contact in the University for the School's pupils and advises them about research as they complete their International Baccalaureate Diploma studies.
In addition, St Leonards pupils have use of the University library and regularly attend special lectures.