The Mackay School
Encyclopedia
The Mackay School, a Chile
an school located in Reñaca
, Region of Valparaiso, Chile
. Of Scottish origin; it was founded in 1857 by Scottish immigrants. It is considered one of the best academic institutions in the fifth region. Currently it only educates male students.
. One of the main founders of the school was Scot Peter Mackay, who was also the first Director. The school had a spectacular welcome, showing why more teachers were needed. One of that it got to reinforce to Mackay was George Sutherland. For 1866 the increasing institution already counted with more than 140 students, and another one of the arrived ones to supervise the education was Thomas Somerscales, who was contracted like painting professor, besides to make particular classes of drawing and painting. Until that then students accepted themselves who knew to speak English, or were only British or Chilean. But this tradition would be broken in 1871, when opening itself the first course for Chilean children who did not speak the foreign language.
Mr. Peter Mackay, a teacher in Glasgow, Scotland, accepted the post of headmaster and moved to Valparaíso, arriving on the 8th of October in the year 1857. As the school grew in number, an assistant teacher was required. Mr. George Sutherland arrived to Valparaíso from the “Moray House Training College”, Edinburgh.
Towards the year 1866, the school’s average student number was 180. Mr. Thomas Somerscales was hired as an Arts teacher and he taught for almost 20 years. Parallel to his job at the school, he taught private lessons of painting and drawing.
It was not until 1871 that the first class for Chilean students, with no knowledge of English, was opened.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an school located in Reñaca
Reñaca
Reñaca is a popular area of beaches and balnearios in the Valparaíso Region of Chile.- Overview :Reñaca is at the northernmost extreme of the city of Viña del Mar and has been incorporated by it. To the north, along the coast road, is the area of Cochoa and then the town of Concón...
, Region of Valparaiso, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. Of Scottish origin; it was founded in 1857 by Scottish immigrants. It is considered one of the best academic institutions in the fifth region. Currently it only educates male students.
History
The Mackay School was founded in 1857, like The Valparaíso Artizan School, with the aim to make available quality education for the children of English, American and especially Scottish craftsmen of limited resources who worked in the factories and railroads of Valparaíso during the middle of the 19th century. The school was first located in the "Cerro Alegre" area of ValparaísoValparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
. One of the main founders of the school was Scot Peter Mackay, who was also the first Director. The school had a spectacular welcome, showing why more teachers were needed. One of that it got to reinforce to Mackay was George Sutherland. For 1866 the increasing institution already counted with more than 140 students, and another one of the arrived ones to supervise the education was Thomas Somerscales, who was contracted like painting professor, besides to make particular classes of drawing and painting. Until that then students accepted themselves who knew to speak English, or were only British or Chilean. But this tradition would be broken in 1871, when opening itself the first course for Chilean children who did not speak the foreign language.
Others
The purpose of creating the school was to provide a suitable education for the children of the English, the American and especially for those of the Scottish craftsmen who worked in the railway workshops in Valparaíso during the midst of the 19th century. Then, “The Valparaíso Artizian School Society” was put together.Mr. Peter Mackay, a teacher in Glasgow, Scotland, accepted the post of headmaster and moved to Valparaíso, arriving on the 8th of October in the year 1857. As the school grew in number, an assistant teacher was required. Mr. George Sutherland arrived to Valparaíso from the “Moray House Training College”, Edinburgh.
Towards the year 1866, the school’s average student number was 180. Mr. Thomas Somerscales was hired as an Arts teacher and he taught for almost 20 years. Parallel to his job at the school, he taught private lessons of painting and drawing.
It was not until 1871 that the first class for Chilean students, with no knowledge of English, was opened.
Notable alumni
- Alastair MacGregor MartinAlastair MacGregor MartinAlistair MacGregor Martin is a former rugby union international who represented Chile in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was noted as one of the finest playes in Chile and as such was selected to play for a World XV against Argentina in 1980.-Early life:...
, rugby union international, captain of Chile and member of 1980 World XVWorld XVA World XV is a rugby union team, typically composed of invited players from various countries. Various World XVs have been arranged from time to time, often to take part in celebration and testimonial games, usually against national teams; recent World XV games have generally not been considered...
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