Keith Grammar School welcomes enthusiastic new faces to the teaching team for successful new term
New staff members at a Moray secondary school have been settling in well as their first term there draws to a close.
Joining the team at Keith Grammar School (KGS) were seven teachers in all, spread across a range of departments and specialities.
Taking their place at the chalkface are: Katy Bostock (History); Alice Byrne (English, Media and History); Carrie McWilliam (English); Lorna Wiles (ASN); Lauren Young (Art and Design); Eilidh Kennedy (Biology); Joining the staff on October 20 - Iain Cunningham (Craft, Design and Technology).
Welcoming them to the team was KGS’s acting rector Sean Duffy, himself not long at the school after previously serving as Acting Rector at Buckie Community High School.
He said: “It's obviously fantastic to have new staff into the school which will help us expand what we can offer in our curriculum.
“We’ve got staff coming in across a range of subjects - social subjects, science and art, for example - which allows us to offer a wide range of options to our pupils, which is really important.
“They’ve all been so enthusiastic and have been welcomed by the community - they’ve really taken to the school, so it's been a really positive experience.”
The Northern Scot asked each of the new starts to tell us a little about what their experiences of KGS have been like so far.
Katy, who has been teaching for a year, said: ”I chose to come to KGS because I have family in the north of Scotland, which made relocating from Ayrshire much easier and more comfortable for me.
“I was also drawn to the school’s values of ambition, success, respect, and excellence, as they closely align with my own personal goals and principles.
“I believe being part of a school community that shares these values will support both my academic growth and personal development.
“I have really enjoyed my first term at KGS and have felt very welcomed to the school by staff and pupils. I have been getting to know my classes and pupils.
Alice comes with 17 years’ experience under her belt.
“The long history of Keith Grammar School really interested me as a history buff; along with the school’s place in the heart of the community.
“When I arrived for my interview, it was very clear that there were really high aspirations for Keith Grammar and its pupils. That, coupled with how welcoming and friendly the staff and pupils were, confirmed that Keith would mark an exciting new phase in my career.
“I’ve been enjoying getting to know my pupils and listening to their points of view and how they interpret what we are learning. They have some very interesting perspectives and I love how hard they are willing to think and work. The work they are producing is fantastic and they are always so willing to respond to feedback.
“We are just re-starting the Debate Club in English which is a fantastic opportunity for our young people and we are looking to roll out the BBC School Reporter for our young people interested in Media and Journalism. This is along with the opportunity to work with TEDTalks and TEDed in the near future.
“Keith Grammar and Moray are a wonderful place to work and I am excited about what the future holds!”
For Carrie, who has been a teacher for six years, it is a case of return of the native as she steps back into KGS having previously been a pupil there.
She continued: “Career advancement and challenge [were major factors in coming to KGS] - promotion from class teacher to Principal Teacher of the English Department.
“I also went to school as a pupil here, so it was a sentimental move, too.
“I’ve enjoyed the first term, I’ve spent lots of time getting to grips with the department, getting to know the kids and making exciting future plans for the department, too”
A temporary posting was to inspire Lorna - an experienced teacher of some 29 years standing - to make the move to KGS.
“I got the opportunity to do a temporary post here and loved the atmosphere at KGS as staff and students made me feel so welcome, so when the opportunity arose to join permanently I was delighted.
“Last term I was teaching BGE English and I have moved to ASN - I have enjoyed supporting the S1s to settle in, getting to know all my new students and I have joined with Mrs Christie in co-ordinating Career Ready with S5 and S6 students. I am also helping run the nurture lunch group.”
For local lass Lauren, this is her first year teaching.
She commented: “The Provisionally Registered Teacher programme placed me here.
“I grew up locally, I’d half expected to be put further away, but fate had other plans! As it turns out, I’m glad to be in a council area I already know well.
“I’ve loved my first term! It’s stressful in a very rewarding way; as the only art teacher in the school there’s a lot of extra jobs to do! Me and my students have been figuring it out together, they’ve been fab and very supportive with helping me find everything in the cupboards. We’ve been starting simple, uncovering the basic principles of art and how to apply them both inside and outside of the classroom.
“I’ve particularly enjoyed working through a clay project with my first year students!”
Another first year teacher is Eilidh.
“I was placed in Moray by the TIS and am happy to be in such a beautiful part of Scotland.
“It has been a busy but enjoyable first term, the pupils and staff at KGS have been very welcoming and I am looking forward to the rest of the year.
Iain is looking forward to KGS after the holidays.
“I’ve been teaching for exactly 20 years having previously worked in the electronics industry.
“I am passionate about the subjects I teach and the relevance they have to careers in the area. I began my teaching career in Moray, starting at Elgin Academy before becoming DHT at Buckie High.
“Family circumstances now allow myself and my wife (also a teacher) to return to the place we feel most at home. When the opportunity arose it Keith Grammar I was excited to be given the chance to join the school on its improvement journey.
“I’m very much looking forward to meeting everyone.”