THE MACKAY SCHOOL OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

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 Valparaíso. One of the founders of the school was Scot Peter Mackay, who was also the first headmaster. The school had a spectacular welcome, showing why more teachers were needed. One that arrived to reinforce Mackay was George Sutherland. By 1866, the institution counted with more than 140 students. Another educator that arrived was Thomas Somerscales, who was contracted as an art teacher. Until then, students were accepted who knew how to speak English. But this tradition would be broken in 1871, when opening the first course for Chilean children who did not speak the English language.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 8 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.The Mackay School Old Boys Association was found in cerro Alegre on 1938, by a old students of the School,.