Grange History
There were too many children at Seaview and Invertay school in Monifieth, classes were overcrowded so a new school was built on the Grange land on Grange Road. The school which cost about half a million pounds to build was erected by Brown Construction Ltd, Monifieth. This local firm finished the building two months before the given date for completion.
Miss Pullar was appointed Head Teacher at the end of September 1975 and furniture and supplies started arriving at the school. A few weeks later Mrs Munday and Mr Smith were promoted to their posts of Assistant Head Teachers. Later on the teaching staff, who had been placed as extra members of staff at Seaview and Invertay arrived nearer the opening date of the school. School secretary, Mrs Campbell and janitor, Mr Beattie joined the staff and a few weeks before the opening day. Mrs Mitchell and her kitchen staff and cleaners made up the school complement.
The school opened on 24th November 1975.
The Grange of Monifieth is an ancient reminder of the close association that long existed between the Abbey of Arbroath and the old-time inhabitants of Monifieth. Grange was originally the home farm of the monestry and the “grangia” or place in which the tithes were delivered and deposited.
Early in the 14th Century, the Grange became disjointed from the Abbey and its services to the monks of aberbrothook ceased. In 1322, the steward of the abbey was succeeded in his occupation of the Grange by Sir William Durham who received from King Robert the Bruce, the lands of Grange as a reward for faithful services rendered as a Knight. The Durhams, their names, wives’ and children’s names years of entry and occupation of the Grange are all that is preserved of the next 400 years.
In the 16th century, William Durham of Grange took an active part in the critical affairs of church and state during the reign of Queen Mary. William Durham was one of the general assembly which met in Nether Tolbooth of Edinburgh on June 25th 1565. The Reforming Party resolved at the celebration of mass should be abolished throughout the realm, that the word and worship of God should be established that attendance at church should be made compulsory and that offenders against the new regime should be punished. Durham was one of he five chosen to meet Queen Mary to gain her assent to the Five Articles of Perth.
In 1702, the Grange estate passed from the Durham’s into the possession of James Martine an ex-regent of St. Andrews University. Martine seems to have been well-off as him name frequently appears in bonds in which he relieves the financial burdens of his neighbours. James Martine, who was tutor to the children of Sir Alexander Wedderburn of Blackness died in 1718.
1788 – the Laird of Grange, Charles Hunter of Burnside – moderate fortune, a large family
1791 – Charles Kerr purchased the estate of Grange. When Kerr’s great-grandson, Alexander Anderson died in 1897, his nephew Thomas Anderson came into possession as far as is known a Mrs Anderson had two daughters who now reside in Fife. These ladies sold the Grange lands to Mr Howieson, brother-in-law of Miss Swan, the present occupier of North Grange farm (1977).
Because Grange school is built on the Grange lands, the badge of the school has been linked to its history. Mrs Jack, one of the first parents, designed the badge.
Roses – representing the roses which are on the Durham of Grange monument built into the wall St. Rule’s Church
Dolphins – representing the official crest originally found on the family coat of arms of the Durhams of Grange.
Crenelated Battlements – representing castle walls. Grange House now stands on the site of Grange Castle
Colours from the badge were then selected for the uniform.
The Parent Teachers Association presented a shield to the school for competition for the best house. House names were selected based on the Grange lands history: Durham, Martine, Kerr and Hunter.
