Popular Head Teacher at Eastern Primary School, Katherine Barclay, Retires Today

A teaching career of thirty five years, with the last twenty years at Eastern Primary School, will come to a close today when Head Teacher Katherine Barclay retires. Katherine will be remembered as an able and popular Head Teacher. 

HM Inspectors identified the following key strengths in Eastern PS in their last report on the school:

• Confident, well-behaved pupils.

• Pupils’ achievements in a wide range of activities.

• Inclusion of pupils with additional support needs in the school community.

• The quality of pastoral care.

• Positive relationships among pupils, parents and staff.

I think that sums up her leadership style striving for a happy school that promotes the attainment and achievement of all its pupils.

In August this year, Katherine calmly led the school through the move from Whinny Brae to its new home in the converted 'old Grove Academy' buildings on the south side of Camperdown Street.

First appointed as Assistant Head Teacher at Eastern in 1991,  she brought a wealth of experience to her post having previously worked at Mossgiel, Kellyfield and Birkhill Primary Schools in the City. After a spell as Depute, she was appointed Head Teacher at Eastern in 2003.

I am sure I speak for many Eastern parents in The Ferry in thanking her for her leadership of Eastern Primary School and wishing her a long and happy retirement.

Grove Prize Giving at the Caird Hall

Grove Senior Rock Band

Yesterday I attended the Grove Academy Prize Giving at the Caird Hall. This event marked the end of another very successful session at the school. 


During the afternoon our attention was drawn to the breadth of the attainment and achievement of Grove Pupils:

• from eco school to english;
• from debating to digital media
• from cross country to chemistry;
• from hockey to history;
• from water polo to physics and
• from making music to mathematics.

The prize giving also celebrated the work of Head Teacher John Hunter and his Depute Sheila McLuckie, who are both due to retire tomorrow after many years very effective and dedicated leadership of Grove.

Mr Hunter delivering his report.

Mrs McLuckie announcing the award winners.

They both made impressive contributions to the event. Mrs McLuckie was a feisty and unflustered compere and Mr Hunter delivered his Annual School Report with his his usual frankness and eloquence about recent changes at Grove. They will be a formidable act to follow.