As noted in my introductory column I hope this feature can provide you with a sense of how The Academy is evolving, cherishing our proud history and moving forward confidently with a strong vision and shared values. At the same time I hope I can provide you with a more informal, offbeat insight into the school as it is today, its culture and personality and the quiet, seemingly inauspicious notes that influence and shape this in harmony with the rich chords of its history.
As you will be able to read in the links above, we are placing great importance on how we try look after those in our school community and beyond, not least in terms of how we actively support the wellbeing of the young people we work with every day.
Key to achieving this is how we value the wellbeing of our staff; how we look after each other and also take responsibility for keeping ourselves fit and well in mind and body – often in really simple, everyday ways.
I regularly encourage all staff members to enjoy healthy, rewarding distractions to balance the unbridled work ethic and unflinching commitment that the opportunity to lead and work at The Academy requires. And it is rather special when you find the very best of these is an Academy history all of its own.
Our adored pet, Chloe, joined our family back in the summer of 2021 having been rescued in Ireland and brought to Scotland by the Greyhound Awareness League (GAL). The support provided throughout the process was really impressive and on doing some further research, I was amazed to discover that the charity had actually been started by former Academy teacher, Martin McGranahan, who very sadly died in 2014, whilst still a member of staff.
I am very sorry to say I never met Martin in person, though several months ago I did have the pleasure of meeting with his wife Denise; spending a long time talking about Martin and his time at the school. I know there are many in our community who held Martin in high regard and remember him most fondly. You can read more about Martin here.
Chloe hugely enriches family life and is an unfailingly grateful recipient for all of the doting and fussing from my wife and I that our teenage children no longer need. She is of course beautifully unaware of her impact and the extent to which she helps me decompress from the busy working day and to refresh and prepare for the exciting ones ahead.
The Academy community does indeed reach far and wide and brings a lot of joy to many different people in many different ways.