Page 113 - Herioter 2021

P7A hockey coach. I still have the small, laminated Above all else, Lesley is kind and generous. She The touchline conversationalist
team photo she presented to each of us at the cares deeply about pupils and colleagues, offering When I first arrived at Heriot’s as a young
end of the season with an inspiring message on wise advice and valuable support as well as Head of Department, Lesley was someone who
the back. celebrating successes. I am sad to see Lesley leave immediately helped me settle in and was a great
She continued this support of the players she Heriot’s but, with her sociable nature and passion person to seek calm and reassuring advice from.
coached throughout our senior years, right up for good food, I feel fortunate to be able to call It is clear in all conversations I have with Lesley
until our last tournament. Lesley was presenting her a good friend and look forward to joining her how much the school means to her. This is still
the Heriot’s Sevens trophy and desperately for many future occasions. the same today; in fact, I used to think it was
wanted to hand it to us, but alas we were runners hard to find anymore more competitive than
up and professional as always, she appeared Mrs Kirsten O’Hagan me – until I met Lesley. We have had countless
happy to present it to the winners. conversations about the school and school sport,
Lesley was enthusiastic and encouraging and A life worth living often on the touchlines of various sports fields –
now, as a coach myself at Heriot’s, I try to portray I’ve had the good fortune to know Lesley for the conversations often interrupted by one of us
the same qualities that inspired me to continue to many years – rather more than either of us would getting overly excited about a scoring opportunity
play hockey. Lesley always found time, despite her care to admit! for Heriot’s and celebrating when success was
busy life, to provide her support for me throughout When I started at Heriot’s in 2003, in what achieved.
school and university and I am extremely grateful turned out to be a more alien environment than She has an amazing ability to listen and give
to her for that. Best wishes for the next chapter in I was expecting, it was great to have her familiar sound advice in all areas of school life and she
your life, Lesley. face around, always ready to share a warm smile has been a huge supporter of school sport. My
and a kind word. colleagues and I will miss her support on and off
Mhairi McGregor In so many ways, I associate Lesley with the the touchlines.
lighter side of school life. I know that she used Lesley has been an inspiration to many
Hula hoops and glass ceilings to love the Christmas parties – remember those? pupils, too, continuing to deliver the school’s
I first met Lesley in April 2000 when, as Assistant – and was famously both first on the dance ethos of ‘work hard, be kind, be happy’, which is
Head, she took me on a tour of Heriot’s as part floor, and the last to leave it. She would always something which she clearly believes in and has
of my interview for the post of a Junior School encourage colleagues to make the most of these been proud to lead. As a father of two young
teacher. She greeted me with warmth and social occasions, both as a reward for all our hard girls, I can see first-hand the positive impact
genuine interest (being Glaswegian, I discovered, work, but also to help sustain the social bonds Lesley has had at the top of the school and the
was a definite advantage). As we toured the that help us through the tough times. A huge fan, confidence she has instilled in the next generation
campus, Lesley spoke passionately about Heriot’s too, of holidays, she would always return from of Herioters.
and impressed me with her knowledge of all the the long summer break – and indeed, most of the This is a special place to work, created by the
pupils we came in contact with. others – with a lovely tan which was invariably, pupils, amazing colleagues and a leader who will
My first impression of Lesley was someone who and annoyingly, better than mine! be missed. Lesley, have a long, happy and well-
is intelligent, cheerful and friendly, and who does On a similar front, I know that she played an deserved retirement.
everything with tremendous good taste, style and important role a few years ago in establishing
a gracious smile! This has not changed (look to the email protocol which keeps communication Mr Matthew Mallinson
her pink chair for style), though I would now add amongst staff to an absolute minimum outside
more attributes such as her fantastic sense of fun, office hours: this is a real strength in our current
endless energy and deeply caring nature. practice.
Lesley’s lively personality and strong Parties, holidays, emails at sensible times…
sense of justice shines through in her weekly these might sound trivial compared with the great
assembly messages. Everyone remembers her burden of responsibilities which Lesley has borne
demonstration of persistence as she hula-hooped as our Principal. But, of course, they are not: they
her way through an assembly! all bespeak a fundamental commitment to staff
It was Lesley who first introduced Carol Dweck’s wellbeing which has been at the heart of Lesley’s
concept of growth mindset to the Junior School; vision. Even in her departure, as she goes off to
a philosophy she personifies on a daily basis. Her study History of Art and to travel, she reminds us
positivity, initiative, creativity and persistence to keep our work in perspective, and to cherish all
enabled her to ably take on the role of Principal those other aspects of life which make it worth
and be an inspiring role model for all primary living.
teachers and females: breaking not one, but two
glass ceilings. Mr Ken Simpson

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