Page 112 - Herioter 2021

community treasure.
Mrs Franklin is a living embodiment of our
school values – ‘work hard, be kind, be happy.’
It’s why they gain such powerful resonance with
staff and the pupil body, inspiring so many to do
likewise. She works long hours, she is uniformly
kind to all in school, and laughter emanates from
the Principal’s office daily (except when the attic
water tank sprung a leak…).
In the past two years, no matter what
outlandish ideas I have taken to the Principal, she
rarely says no. She will always find a way around
a problem and more often than not comes at it
with a cheerful smile. Mrs Franklin is fair, open
minded and meritocratic and is a great advocate
of George Heriot’s School to prospective and
current parents and pupils, as well as to the huge
array of former pupils. Lesley will be sorely missed
by all of us who work with her, for her leadership,
her sense of fun, her friendship and, of course, her
inspirational dress sense.
Ave et Vale in developing the school into what it is today Mrs Miranda Henderson
– Scotland’s leading independent educational
Lesley establishment.’ Farewell ‘braw beak’
And with not a flicker of hyperbole, Mrs Cullen
added: ‘She will be hugely missed.’
Although I didn’t take on the role of Head of
In truth, Lesley did not want a fuss in the pages
Franklin of The Herioter – especially given the very difficult Senior School until the summer of 2018, my
relationship with Lesley began a year earlier, as
year-and-a-half the school has endured in the
she was heavily involved in my appointment
midst of a pandemic – but her departure cannot process; having by that stage already been
It has been a long-established formality at go by unacknowledged. installed as ‘Principal elect’ in light of Cameron
Heriot’s – via a Principal’s Notice email – to wish This is the story of Lesley Franklin by the people Wyllie’s imminent retirement.
newcomers to Lauriston Place ‘well’ as they begin who have come to know her best. Even at interview, I had the sense that Lesley
their employment at the school. Long before the and I would get on well. Her sharp mind, good
emergence of email at Heriot’s, Lesley Franklin ‘One take’ Lesley humour, and straight-talking were apparent
was offered the same welcome in the pages of Put Mrs Franklin in front of a recording camera at that first meeting, and have been constants
the 1996 Herioter. and there’s no need to close your eyes and hope. throughout the three years that we have
Introduced to the reader as a teacher who had ‘One take’ Franklin has proven time and time worked together. Whether dealing with complex
previously taught at Courthouse Junior School in again over the Covid months that whether a academic or disciplinary issues together, or
Maidenhead, and at Craigentinny Primary School promotion, Foundation, donor or induction film attempting to execute impromptu flute and guitar
in Edinburgh, Lesley was responsible for a P5 is being produced, she requires no rehearsal, duets in assembly, I have always felt that Lesley
class in her first session at Heriot’s. ‘She lists her no script writing, no re-takes and minimal has ‘had my back’. She is a good friend, but also
interests as hockey, netball, badminton, music and preparation. She is adept at public speaking an excellent coach; having that rare gift of being
languages,’ the editorial went, ‘and has already and instinctively ‘on message’. It is pure joy able to act objectively and decisively, whilst also
made a great contribution to the School’s extra- working with her in compiling communications showing empathy and compassion.
curricular programme. We wish Mrs Franklin well to external audiences: she has a natural warmth It has been a pleasure to work so closely with
at Heriot’s and are pleased to have her with us.’ and professionalism that all of us in the Heriot’s someone who, like me, enjoys a robust debate
And so an incredible personal journey began. and doesn’t bear grudges. A shared sense of
From joining Heriot’s in August 1995 as a humour and mischief has also allowed for a lot
classroom teacher, Lesley would go to the very, of laughter and fun along the way, something
very top – from teacher to assistant head to that has provided a welcome escape over the
deputy head to head in the Junior School, and course of our Covid travails. Although Lesley is
then, in January 2018, she became Principal. leaving Heriot’s, I am sure that we will keep in
No-one could doubt that Lesley has indeed touch. I will always have the tea towel of Scottish
done very ‘well’ – so much so that news of vocabulary that she gave me in my first few
her departure, shared on the Friday before the weeks to remember her by, and to turn to when I
September holiday, was a bombshell. find myself stumped by an unfamiliar work in an
Joyce Cullen, Chairman of Governors, wrote: email. This blethering bampot is truly scunnered
‘Throughout her 25 years at Heriot’s, Lesley has to see our braw beak depart.
achieved an enormous amount – both personally
and professionally. Joining the school as a class Mr Paul Fairclough
teacher in 1995, Lesley has progressed through
the ranks to become George Heriot’s first female The inspirational hockey coach
Principal and a true inspiration to colleagues and Many people will know Lesley as Principal of
students alike. George Heriot’s, or as the Head of the Junior
‘With the unfailing support of committed School who had an incredible ability to retain
teaching and support teams, and the full every pupil’s name. To me, however, the first
backing of the Board, Lesley has played her part significant role Lesley played in my life was as the

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