Page 85 - Herioter 2020

events, to arranging the annual staff
Ave et Vale:
Roddy Stevenson
Those of us who know Roddy well
will understand that he will want
this article to be short and sweet.
Having attending Heriot’s as a pupil,
Roddy followed his natural ability
and passion for sport and completed
a B.Ed. (Hons) in Physical Education
and Human Movement, from The
Scottish School of Physical Education
at Jordanhill College in Glasgow.
After qualifying in 1983, he was
interviewed for the position of
Physical Education Teacher by Keith
Pearson (Headmaster) and Stewart
Barnes (Principal Teacher of PE) and
was appointed to the post in January
1984. It was an appointment that led
to a successful teaching career that
would see him remain at Heriot’s for
the next 36 years.
During his time at Heriot’s, Roddy has
been a highly regarded PE teacher
and for many years coached the
school’s 1st XV rugby and the 1st
XI cricket teams. A talented golfer
himself, Roddy also coached the
school’s and Edinburgh Schools’ golf
teams, as well as the school ski team
and more recently school hockey.
golf outing and more informal social
gatherings at the pubs and restaurants in
the Grassmarket and city centre!
Roddy is also well known to his friends
as the ‘go to’ man for do-it-yourself
expertise and for providing any tool that
you will ever need.
The Stevenson family has a rich
association with Heriot’s: Roddy and
his brothers, John and Alastair, were
educated at the school, followed more
recently by his daughters, Anna, Nicola
and Clare. All three girls left with
excellent academic results to start their
chosen degree courses at university.
Roddy was a prominent member of the
Outwith Heriot’s, Roddy was head coach Heriot’s FP Rugby and Cricket Clubs
of the Scottish Women’s Rugby XV for for many years and is still a member of
six years, which included two World the Heriot’s FP Golf Club. He is a well-
Cups, a European Championship and a known face, not just within the Heriot’s
World 7s competition. In 1998, Roddy community, but at social gatherings and
achieved success at the highest level, sporting events across Scotland. His
steering the Scottish Women’s team to a many friends often say that he knows
Grand Slam title. someone everywhere he goes.
In 2003, he was appointed as acting We thank Roddy for his invaluable
contribution to Heriot’s over the years,
Principal Teacher of PE, which continued
and we wish him all the best for his
until the end of session in 2004.
retirement – and for the many happy
During his time in the PE Department, hours at the golf course and club in the
Roddy was responsible for running the years to come.
Goldenacre Rugby 7s tournaments and
arranging the School Cross Country Mr Adrian Semmler and Mrs Johan
Championships in the days of the Blaikie
Holyrood Park runs.
Roddy Stevenson left Heriot’s in
Roddy has been integral in the February 2020.
organisation and planning of numerous
events and activities at Heriot’s,
including the individual, class and team
school photographs, the organisation of
June Day, school Usher Hall and Queen’s
Hall concerts. Years of organisational
experience culminated in Roddy being
given the responsibility for organising
both the Junior and Senior School
prizegiving ceremonies, and in 2015,
Roddy was appointed as Principal
Teacher of Logistics for the school. Roddy (middle row, far left) pictured with U16
and U18 sevens teams in the 1992 Herioter,
Thankfully, Roddy’s organisational skills along with Keith Yuille, one of the few staff
extended beyond the school’s formal members who can rival Roddy for longevity
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