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including working as a nanny and in the of individual pupils’ talents is catered for
wine trade, and Judy relates how this and nurtured at the school, in addition
practical application of her language to the extent to which the multifaceted
skills, coupled with full immersion in nature of the job, in particular teaching
French life and culture, particularly pupils ranging from P6 to S6, has
literature, ignited an enduring love of provided her with opportunities for
the language. Furthermore, having professional development, teaching
learned Gaelic throughout school, Italian to Junior School classes during
languages has from the outset played Activities Week proving to be a source
a prominent role in her life and Judy’s of particular satisfaction.
acute appreciation of the doors which Beyond the classroom, notable
language skills can open is something successes have included the key roles
she has perpetually been at pains Judy has played in assisting Mr Clancey
Ave et Vale: to impress upon her charges in the with the development of basketball
classroom.
– coaching the S2 girls’ squad to the
Judy Murphy It was on arrival in Scotland that quarter finals of the Scottish Cup in
Judy resumed her formal education, 2018 – and helping the school achieve
Judy Murphy first came to Heriot’s in graduating with First Class Honours in its first ever Eco-Schools green flag; and
August 2012 as supply cover in Modern Languages and Export Management all of this while simultaneously raising
Languages. This quickly developed into from Napier University, before achieving her delightful children Joe and Saoirse,
a permanent appointment, initially on post graduate qualifications in both of whom she is rightly immensely proud.
a part-time and then subsequently a teaching and education support, the After almost eight years ensconsed
full-time basis, in accordance both with latter being a particular specialism in in the languages turret on Lauriston
her wishes and the changing staffing which she retains a keen interest and Place, Judy understandably feels that
needs of the department. Originally which she has certainly brought to bear the time is now right for a change.
hailing from Kenmare, County Kerry, in during her years at Heriot’s. Indeed, Scurrilous rumours circulating among
Ireland, Judy was educated at Holy Cross such a wealth of experience is not only the pupils that the imminent onset of
College and, despite being resident indicative of Judy’s lifelong love of Brexit requires her to head back to the
in Scotland for more than 25 years, learning, but crucially also underpins Emerald Isle pronto are, I am happy to
continues to retain strong ties to her her eclectic view of education, features confirm, completely unfounded; rather
homeland and family roots. which undoubtedly permeate her she is bound for the equally beautiful
classroom practice and fuel the palpable
A decision to take a year out from Scottish Borders, or Kelso High School
undergraduate studies at the University passion with which she contributes to to be precise.
of Dublin ended up resulting in an discussions about all things pedagogical. So, following a contribution to the life
unplanned ten-year sabbatical, during Reflecting on those special Heriot’s of both the department and the school
which Judy took the opportunity to memories, Judy highlights the positive, which has been as diverse as it has
satisfy her wanderlust, living in Paris, warm relationships with pupils, not least
Lille and the Jura region of France in her current register class with whom valuable, all it remains for us to say is go
léir is fearr, Judy!
addition to making regular extended she has developed a particularly strong
trips to Italy. During this period, she bond. She has also come to appreciate Mr Mark Grant
found employment in a variety of fields, the manner in which the diverse range Judy Murphy left Heriot’s in March 2020.

Campaigner to information, advice and tips. In one another.’
response, she organised a visit from
Judy challenged Dr Ailsa Gebbie, who has been running The article continued: ‘Unlike
pupils, teachers spend not just their
menopause taboo a menopause clinic in Edinburgh for formative years in schools but often
30 years, for a session that was
their entire working lives. It is right
described ‘as effective as hormone- that schools should support them at
Judy Murphy gained a reputation for
replacement therapy’. this difficult time. And the best way to
being outspoken – a reputation she
put to outstanding use to encourage The efforts made by Judy to tackle do this, like Judy Murphy did, is to ask
the long-established taboo were them what they need. We may not
teachers to be more open about the praised in Tes. ‘The sense was that the fully understand why women get hot
impact of the menopause.
women who had participated felt less flushes during menopause, but that
A survey carried out by Judy isolated,’ Tes reported. ‘They weren’t doesn’t stop us from finding out how
highlighted that 40 staff wanted to just individuals going through a similar to help them when they do.’
raise awareness of the menopause experience but a whole cohort of
and a further 40 wanted access colleagues who could now support Mr Jonny Muir

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