St John’s RC Primary School

Tucked away on Duddingston Road, St John’s RC Primary School holds a secret. It’s not just a place of learning. It’s a living testament to a unique connection with France. St John’s RC Primary School opened its doors on November 1st, 1956. The school’s first headmaster, Matthew McCabe, envisioned a special link with France. He reached out to the French Consul General, requesting permission to use President Charles de Gaulle’s name for one of the school houses. De Gaulle not only agreed but also gifted the school his own medal. This medal, bearing the Cross of Lorraine, was presented to him during the liberation of France. De Gaulle specifically intended it to be a significant award for St John’s RC Primary School students. The medal was first awarded by the French Consul General in Scotland at a special ceremony. The pupils even sang La Marseillaise, the French national anthem. This tradition continues. Today, primary 7 pupils research and present projects about the school’s French connection. The student with the best essay receives the de Gaulle Medal. The bond between St John’s RC Primary School and France deepened over the years. In 1960, Madame Michund, a relative of de Gaulle’s wife, visited the school. Mr. McCabe later visited the Élysée Palace in Paris. De Gaulle maintained contact with the school through letters and even sent a signed photograph in 1961. St John’s RC Primary School also received the Auld Alliance trophy in 1965, awarded for diligence and behavior. The school’s badge itself reflects this unique relationship. The Cross of Lorraine, a symbol of the Free French during World War II, is at the center. It’s surrounded by a gold circle, representing the wheel of Gilmerton, once known as “the Carter’s village”. The badge sits on a scarlet background. The connection extends beyond the school. The surrounding area, including nearby Craigmillar Castle and Little France, boasts its own French history, linked to Mary Queen of Scots.