100 years young: A special kindergarten celebration

This session, Robert Gordon’s College celebrates the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Kindergarten for boys aged 5-7, now known as P1 and P2.

To commemorate this remarkable milestone, a special birthday celebration was held last week, where our Nursery, Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils participated in a variety of activities designed to bring the school’s history to life and help them develop an appreciation for the heritage of the College. 

To mark the occasion, pupils were invited to take part in dress-up day inspired by the number 100. Many arrived wearing period-inspired clothing that reflected fashions from a century ago, while others let their creativity shine with outfits inspired by characters and important figures. Some pupils even wore clothes adorned with 100 stickers. 

The children enjoyed a fascinating visit from the College Archivists, Mr Cumming and Mr Montgomery, who shared stories and historical facts about the early days of the Kindergarten. They also had the opportunity to explore the original first classroom in the Auld Hoose West Wing, allowing them to see how school life and learning have changed over the last 100 years. 

As part of the celebrations, pupils helped to create a time capsule for 2126. They contributed drawings, letters and small objects that represent school life at Robert Gordon’s College in 2026, creating a lasting record for future generations to discover. The celebrations concluded with a special celebratory birthday cake and dancing to music from the 1920s, adding to the festive atmosphere. 

Mrs Johnson, Deputy Head of Junior School shared: “This celebration of the centenary provided a wonderful opportunity for pupils to connect with the past while looking ahead to the future. A huge thank you to our staff, pupils and families for helping to make the day such a memorable celebration. The enthusiasm, creativity and sense of community were wonderful to see and it was a fitting way to honour an important chapter in the history of the College.”

Established in 1926, the Kindergarten was an important addition to the College, completing the creation of the full Junior School which has since provided education for children aged 5-12. Over the past century, generations of young children have passed through the classrooms at RGC, benefiting from the supportive environment that remains at the heart of the College today.