Apparently existing Academy pupils were split up according to the ‘feeder’ primary school they’d attended. In other words, if you lived in the Rutherglen, Fernhill, Bankhead, Spittal or Toryglen areas you had to stay on at the ‘new’ Stonelaw High and merge with pupils from Gallowflat - Rutherglen’s junior secondary school. Whereas, those living in Cambuslang, Halfway, Springhall, Cathkin and Carmunnock went to the ultra-modern Cathkin High along with everyone from Gateside - Cambuslang’s junior secondary school.

Of course many existing Academy pupils viewed this procedure as grossly inequitable.

In the first place they’d passed an exam to earn a place in a senior secondary, and now it seemed that all their hard work and worry had been for nothing. They were ‘lumped in’ with everybody else. In addition, important first year friendships made at the Academy over session 1969-70 were rent asunder, and those who had to stay on in the old Melrose Avenue building were denied the new facilities enjoyed by those at Cathkin, including: a swimming pool, showers, and a theatre.

However, it’s likely that pupils beginning second year in August 1970 felt the greatest emotional impact of the new Cathkin High.  Apart from their perceived relegation in academic terms, (and anything else), these children, who’d been reared on one system, suddenly had to acclimatise themselves to a new ideology, in a strange environment, away from many ‘best pals’ made the previous session at Rutherglen Academy. This scenario at a time when ‘stability’ and ‘having the right mates’ are the foundations of young people’s confidence and well-being. Meanwhile...