WELCOME to 2020-21 School session.
2020 has been a year with a difference – but thankfully in the good hands of our Head Teacher, Sarah Morgan, who joined the school after the October break (2019) and Principal Teacher, Emily Govan who joined the team in August of the same year, as well as our familiar staff faces. With the school inspection in January 2020 and then the lockdown and closure of schools due to Covid-19 measures in March, it’s certainly been a year like no other!
We said fond farewells to staff and pupils leaving the school at the end of the summer term – new careers, retirement / semi-retirement and new posts – as well as P7s who will be making their mark in secondary schools from August. Parents & carers, children and staff joined each other in an amazing online Leaver’s Assembly at the end of June, to wish each other well and send love.
Plans to update the website went on hold too – so bear with all as we settle into the new school year – and focus on getting it right for all the children first, then share proper introductions to the school team – and more.
Special thanks to “oor Janny, Wendy” and dynamic cleaning team who have worked so hard too, to make sure the school had it’s deep clean as well as support the staff to (re)organise the classrooms etc. The role you all play is appreciated, and never more than now.
A new school year – and it’s ALL CHANGE….
2019-20 begins with some new faces at PPS. Nicola Thompson (née Wilson, has left us to begin her new post at Preston Tower Primary and we are in the capable hands of Pauline McKay temporarily until a new Head is appointed and can take up post.
It was lovely for children and adults to be welcomed back into school with personal greetings from Pauline before and after the school day – and we hope that Campie Primary Sch don’t mind sharing Mrs McKay with us for the next few weeks / months.
Nicola Wilson, new Headteacher at PPS, starts her new post with a smile.
The 2016 -2017 academic year heralded the arrival of new Headteacher, Nicola Wilson. New to both East Lothian and Headship, it is a year of many challenges for both Head and School and so we look forward to all this brings – staff, pupils and parent body.
With Mary McCall’s retirement in her 40th year of teaching – we jointly celebrated her time as Head of PPS alongside the 40th Anniversary celebrations of Pencaitland Primary School on current site. An amazing week of celebration involving community and pupils, past and present, were a fitting tribute to all that makes Pencaitland so special. The events included 6 of the 7 Headteachers of the time and family of the 1st Headteacher were included also.
We are grateful for Mary McCall’s commitment to the school throughout her time as Headteacher and wish her a wonderful and fulfilling retirement as she hands the baton on to Nicola, with good wishes for her leadership and involvement with our school community.
Previous Head Teachers of PPS.
Mary McCall – retired in August 2016.
Teresa Laing Acting HT. Now a *QIO in Edinburgh and grandchildren attend PPS.
Freda Ross – who left PPS to become a QIO for East Lothian prior to retiring.
Jane Ritchie Acting HT and DHT at PPS – Jane became HT at Ormiston Primary prior to retirement.
Jim Marshall – a remarkable record of achievement existed for pupils in school during his headship. Pencaitland ignored the potential difficulties of being a small school…regularly!
Thomas Coupar – now Chaplain in Edinburgh’s Thistle Centre and formerly an education advisor. He has also been one of the three religious representatives on Edinburgh’s children and families committee.
John Archer – who was the Head Teacher from previous village school – Pencaitland Public School. Mr Archer and his head of Early Years were both awarded OBEs for their work in PPS and Education – a time when Pencaitland was seen to be a leading light in the reforms of Education in Scotland (world leaders). His three daughters are all teachers in Edinburgh we believe – and his great nephews attend the school, after moving here from England.
Going Back A Little Further
Prior to Mr Archer’s time, was Charles Bruce, who taught Tom Coupar in Preston Lodge too! [He was also HT at the time school leaving age was changed from 14 yrs to current rules].
Before (and overlapping) the Public School, there was the Parish School – now a lovely private dwelling house in what was once the school and the headmaster’s home.
*QIO – Quality Improvement Officers. There are 3 covering E Lothian, employed by ELC to work with the schools on improving and maintaining all facets of education.