Two head teachers take up new posts in Highland

Two Highland secondary schools have started the new year with new head teachers.

At Ullapool High School, Mr Robbie McFedries, depute head teacher at Bathgate Academy, has taken over from Peter Harrison, who retired at the end of the year, while at Plockton High School, acting rector Mrs Susan  Galloway has succeeded Mr Duncan Ferguson, who retired at the end of the year. 

Mr McFedries took up his new post at the 250-pupil Ullapool High School on Monday.  A maths teacher, he worked at Crieff, Glenrothes, Penicuik and Dalkeith before moving to Bathgate. 

He said: “My wife and I, together with our two children,  have holidayed for many years in the Ullapool area.  The chance to be able to try and make a home in this beautiful area is one that has excited the whole family.
My hobbies are mainly outdoor pursuits.  Hill walking, mountain biking and skiing are amongst my favourites.  I also enjoy travel, reading and have been known to belt out a few tunes on rock guitar.

“My first impressions of the school are very favourable.  A school that is at the heart of its community filled with care and welcome.  One pupil described the school as being like “one big family”.  I know that I am looking forward to be a part of that family.”

Mrs Galloway was depute rector at the 302-pupil Plockton High School and also had a spell as the acting rector.

She said: “ I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed to the permanent post of rector of Plockton High School, a school which is very much a part of the local community and one which enjoys a distinctive West Highland culture. It is a very good school with a high national profile and I am very much looking forward to working closely with pupils, parents and the community to maintain this profile, the high standard of learning and the range of opportunities enjoyed by our pupils.”