An interview with Mr Allan conducted by Cormac Hoy Not too long ago, I interviewed one of the longest serving current teachers at Stew Mel, Mr Allan, a seasoned veteran of English Teaching and Head of the Appin house. It gave me a chance to learn a little about his plans for retirement and his fondest memories of his time at the school.
[Cormac] As we know its your final year at SMC, do you have plans for retirement?
[Mr Allan] I’m going to relocate away from Edinburgh, I’m going to stay in the country and I’m going to do some writing. I am a very keen gardener so I’ll be moving to somewhere where there’s a good garden, somewhere near a gym, where I can do a few of spin classes; but I love reading writing and I’m going to do that sort of thing. And of course keep in touch with my friends and colleagues.
[Cormac] Especially in this Covid-19 climate, do you see this as a satisfying end to your career?
[Mr Allan] Absolutely not! Without a doubt I feel as though what I wanted to experience was a year of lasts: the last time I would see the remembrance service, the last time I would go to the carol service and cathedral, the last face-to-face parents evening I’d ever have and of course the last time I would ever go to Carbisdale and all of that is completely unlikely…so its looks as though I’ve had my lasts – if that makes any sense – and that makes me quite sad to be honest.
[Cormac] So seeing as how you’re not altogether satisfied, do you think you should have reconsidered the retirement?
[Mr Allan] No, though I think that’s a very good question. I think people know when it’s time to go, as sad as that may be, this school being a massive part of my life; and its been a great honour and great privilege serving this school. But there comes a time in everyone’s career when you know its right to move on, and during lockdown I realised life was going to change for everyone and it was probably time for me to go.
[Cormac] Are there any iconic moments at SMC you remember most?
[Mr Allan] Oh, there are too many to list in this interview! I remember so much with great fondness and hilarity, lots and lots of things – including when I directed the play Kes at the Mary Erskine School nearly killing my bird of prey which really stays with me; I still get shudders thinking about it! But there have been so many laughs and so many happy memories that I just couldn’t list them all.
[Cormac] After talking about the good moments, do you think there have been any low points that have made you think of possibly a change of career or switch in school?
[Mr Allan] Another very good question. When I first came to the school I didn’t expect myself to be here for more than two or three years, so you might ask yourself the question ‘Why am I still here after nearly three decades?’ The answer is very simple: the school is only as good as its pupils and the pupils in this school are outstanding and its been a joy and pleasure working with them and also my colleagues, who are probably part of one of the most talented staff rooms in Scottish education. So that definitely outweighs, you know, any sadness’s and whatever. I’ve been lucky and I count myself as lucky.
[Cormac] So seeing as you’ve been here nearing 30 years do you think you could see a huge contrast from how SMC used to be and how it is now?
[Mr Allan] Absolutely. The biggest thing that’s changed in the school for me and quite rightly – it’s a logical change – is diversity. It’s an all-boys school and it was an all-boys school when I came here but we need to embrace this idea that society is changing. In terms of progress, when I first came to the school. I used to park ‘in the swimming pool’ because prior to it being a swimming pool it was a car park, you know – so I’ve seen things like that, things that change. I’ve seen the creation of the Sixth Form Centre and the big one for me because I direct plays is the fantastic facility of the Tom Fleming Centre. I mean this school has made huge physical, academic and spiritual progress in my thirty years.
[Cormac] So do you think there’s anything you miss that’s been gotten rid of at the school?
[Mr Allan] That’s a bit of a contentious question (laughter) but I’m happy for it to be included. I’m going to be my usual honest and to the point self and say that I was very sad to see the demise of the red blazer. The fact that only 6 are awarded now…I mean the ties are nice, don’t get me wrong, and I’m sure there are reasons for it. I liked the red blazer in form six, you know the colours award to be a blazer and not to be a tie.
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