On today's constitutional, Trey took a little different route and went past the Aberdeen Grammar School. It was too beautiful out for him to resist taking pictures, so allow me to share with you one of the oldest grammar schools in the United Kingdom.
Aberdeen Grammar School was founded in 1257. 2007 marks the monumental 750 year anniversary, which is to be commemorated with multiple fundraising events. Hmmmm...sounds awfully American. Despite its name, the school is actually a secondary school (middle school and high school), originally an all-boy school that turned co-educational in 1973. Perhaps her most famous alumni is Lord Byron, whose statue graces the front of the institution.
As I researched about the school, I discovered a few humorous facts worth sharing thanks to trusty Wikipedia.
In 2002, a small number of sixth years painted an entire temporary classroom block, pink, during the middle of the night before their last day, as part of the so called "muck-up day tradition". Painted on all four walls from floor to roof, it led to a pupil being arrested, caught in the act-although charges were never actually brought. In 2003, the PETA animal rights group held a protest outside the school to try and persuade children to stop drinking milk. Over 100 pupils held a counter protest pelting the activists with milk and chanting their own pro-milk slogans. Police had to be called to save the PETA group including one man dressed as a cow.
I didn't realize that milking a poor cow was barbaric...as a former nursing mother myself, it sounds awfully humane. But who am I to judge? Just an ignorant, meat-loving American. And the image of such a stately and venerated institution painted bright pink...well it brings a tear to one's eye.
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