Dundee pupils prepare to get behind the Scotland team
Students at Baldragon Academy are among pupils across Tayside who'll be watching Scotland's opening match.
Last updated 14th Jun 2021
"Wear blue, and watch it too".
That is the message from schools across Dundee and wider Tayside ahead of Scotland's long-awaited opening game at the Euros.
At 2pm twelve thousand lucky fans will be inside Hampden Park roar on Steve Clarke's team in their opening game of Euro 2020 against the Czech Republic, and many schools across Tayside and Fife will also take time out to watch the historic moment.
Tay News spoke to Hugh McAninch, Headteacher of Baldragon Academy in Dundee, which last week, sent out letters to all parents explaining the special arrangements and altered timetable for students.
We asked Mr McAninch why the school is taking the time out of the regular timetable to get behind the national side.
"Why not?" he said, "It's not just about watching a football game, it's about a community spirit, it's about the culture and ethos and life at your school.
"The more formal aspect of learning will always be there the next day." He added.
"I remember where I was when we were in the World Cup in 1998, I remember absolutely, distinctly, that was at the very beginning of my teaching career, and I want young people to feel the same way."
"They'll remember the experience that we have and look back on school with these fond memories."
There has been heated debate on social media over whether schools should take time out of the regular lesson schedule to watch Scotland's opening game of Euro 2020, with countless hours of lesson time being missed over the last year due to the pandemic.
"The fundamental bit that sits behind learning is that we need our young people to be safe and to be happy. If we've got young people that are safe and happy they're going to achieve." said Mr McAninch.
He added, "This is a point where I think nationally we can recognise there is something so celebrate and celebration brings happiness."
"It was also to recognise, the hard work, the dedication of staff and pupils over lockdown -- lockdown one, lockdown two. Just all the barriers and restrictions that have been in place around covid, and just to say thank you."
"I think at the heart of this, it's got to be about what that national team have come through and what the schools have come through. That resilience, grit, determination, never-give-up-attitude."
"It develops a whole school culture, it develops an ethos across our school that actually we're here together."
"It's not just about us at Baldragon Academy, it's not just about us in Dundee; it's about Scotland, it's about Tayside it's about Scotland getting behind their national team, and I think that's a very rich learning experience."
And in a poll by Radio Tay News, only 15.9 percent of voters were against the match being shown in the classroom.
Scotland kick off against the Czech Republic at 2pm this afternoon.
Historic moment
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson says the team knows what an historic moment it is: "We want the whole country behind us."
"I'm excited for the kids, I'm excited for the older generation that were maybe used to us qualifying and now they get to see us back there.
"We have not long got back to Scotland and you can feel the buzz already around Glasgow and I'm sure it's like that in every city and town. We hope that continues for the duration of the tournament.
"It's up to us try and keep a smile on their faces and that's certainly one of our huge motivations for this tournament.''
The Scotland fans will also be making a comeback after more than 18 months away from Hampden.
"The fact we will walk out in front of fans again will be incredible,'' said Robertson.
"I would have loved it to be a full house, but what's going on in the world now isn't allowing that. But to have 12,000 in will be great, to have some of our family in will be even better.
"But I'm sure all beer gardens, I'm sure all gardens and houses will be packed. I am sure the whole nation will be watching and we will feel that support, feel that love, and hopefully we can do them proud.''