Page 171 - Herioter 2020

with pupils in Junior School and Senior Head of Department, Amanda has
School, and seeing them develop skills at all times maintained her
and grow in confidence. And, of course, professionalism and has a certain
she would most likely point out that she steeliness that has served her very well
so loved her work and the school that in bringing to order unruly pupils, or
she was keen for her son, Andrew, to championing the cause of art and design
come to Heriot’s – which he did, and in the school. Outside of school she is
which he enjoyed not least because more partisan: she makes no secret of
he made what have turned out to be her love of gardening, of good food and
lifelong friendships. Andrew’s schooling fine wine, of reading and walking, and
also meant that, as parents, Amanda and family and friends, of Jupiter Artland.
her husband, Neil, had a different kind And there’s a good chance that just as
of encounter with Heriot’s. So both as Amanda herself pays close attention
a teacher and as a parent Amanda has to detail, so also her colleagues in the
always been fully involved with the wider department will remember the little
life of the school. Of her participation in things: the cut of her jacket, the sound of
that wider life, she would probably cite her voice, the clip-clop of her footsteps
trips to Paris, Barcelona, Venice, Florence,
New York and Berlin as highlights. Planes, down the corridor, her car.
trains, whizzing around, the bombarding Pupils have always been at the heart of
of the senses that trips involve have ‘The Thomson Project’, a key element of
been meat and drink to the artist Amanda which has been to get children actively
is, but also simply wonderful fun, perhaps involved in art and design whether for
especially all that careering round Berlin certificate courses, or for exhibitions, or
jumping on and off trains and trams and for school plays and musicals, or for fun,
buses, hurtling from activity to activity,
Ave et Vale: or for the sheer joy of doing it. Anyone
Amanda the glorious kitsch of Tropical Island with who happened to be wandering through
Dougie Urquhart wise-cracking away all
the Art and Design Department at the
the while and making her laugh out loud end of a school day when the art clubs
Thomson at all his daftness. are in full swing could not but be struck

Now, were they asked, what might by the sheer pleasure that art and design
Amanda started teaching at Heriot’s Amanda’s colleagues say? They would brings to so many children. So what
back in 1996: different times, different say what they have oft times said in about the pupils? Were they asked about
century so much to reflect on in a the past and so would make special Mrs Thomson, what would they say?
remarkable career.
mention of Amanda’s thoughtfulness, They would say she cared about art and
Amanda is quite a private person, not generosity, patience and kindness. They design, about them and about their work.
given to wearing her heart on her sleeve. would certainly mention her appreciation They would say that she knows how to
But were she asked to say how she feels of beautiful things ranging from artists’ feed creativity, and how to foster and
about her time at Heriot’s she would say books to scarves to beads and buttons, nourish talent. They would say that her
that she has loved it. She would highlight and fabrics rich in colour and texture. love of art and design is infectious and
the importance to her of teaching They would note her sense of style and inspiring. They would say that for Mrs
and learning as social enterprises and her gorgeous handmade clothes, for Thomson the Art and Design Department
therefore the importance of working Amanda is a wonderful tailor whose is her second home.
with, sharing with and being with other dexterity and imagination work their
people. She would say, too, that she magic via her sewing machine. Colleagues And they would say not that Mrs
has loved working with colleagues as would agree – and they would not Thomson is a good teacher, but that she
passionate as she is about Art and Design be exaggerating – that Amanda is an is among the best.
as a subject and about being artists and amazing artist/designer in her own right As for retirement? ‘There’s no retirement
designers themselves. She would want it and that is why she is such a gifted for an artist: it’s your way of living, so
to be noted how privileged she feels she teacher who, down the years, has taught, there’s no end to it.’ Henry Moore, artist
has been to have worked under Principal guided, advised and inspired countless and sculptor
Teachers Joyce Newman and Jane Young, pupils who have themselves gone on to
and to have worked with Anne Connor become wonderful artists and designers. Mr Mike McCabe
in S6 Guidance. Amanda would also Most likely, too, colleagues would want Amanda Thomson left Heriot’s in June
definitely say that she has loved working to note that in her role as a teacher and a
2020.

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