Portree Primary School Head Teacher Moves On To Pastures New. | |
04 November 2009 Portree Primary School Head Teacher John Finlayson will be moving on to a new post within Highland Council later this month. Finlayson was a Camanachd Cup winner with Skye Camanachd in 1990 and is also a former first team manager. He also set up a coaching structure within Portree Primary School covering a series of sports which sees the children receive coaching on a range of sports from parents / volunteers who themselves have become qualified coaches. This included setting up Portree Junior Sports Club which won the Marine Harvest Youth Development Award in 2004 for its success in developing shinty coaching for all primary aged pupils. The shinty coaching structure has led to a period of unparallel success for the School. In 2004 they won the Camanachd Association National First Shinty Tournament and reached the North semi final of the prestigious MacKay Cup. The following year they went one further, winning the MacKay Cup when they beat Park from Oban 2-1 in the final. This was the first time for 31 years that the school had won shinty’s premier competition – the previous occasion being in 1974 when the school were victorious under the guidance of legendary shinty coach DR MacDonald. The School also went on to win the MacKay Cup in 2008 and 2009. This level of shinty participation has had an undoubted knock-on benefit for Skye Camanachd and it is no co-incidence that Skye Camanachd U14 side were North Division 1 winners in 2008. Also the Skye Camanachd U17 side has just reached the final of the National London Shield competition and 4 players from that team were in the sixes side that won the Camanachd Association National First Shinty Tournament back in 2004. Finlayson is also Chairman of the Isle of Skye Primary Schools Camanachd Association which organises shinty competitions throughout the Speaking on his move, Finlayson said, “I am taking up a new seconded post as a Development Officer with Highland Council which starts on 16 November 2009 and the post of Acting Head Teacher will be taken on by the current Deputy Head Teacher Mrs Flora MacDougall.” Reflecting on his change of role he said, “My decision to make this move has not been easy and has been motivated by the fact that I have been here for 9 years and a Head Teacher for 22 years and change is good for a school and for individuals. Also the authority’s decision to, split the existing school and set up a dedicated Gaelic School in the near future is not I think the best decision for such a small community and time out of my post as Head Teacher provides me with time to reflect on my future career.” In an letter to the school coaches, Finlayson said, “Can I please take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over the last 9 years and for the fantastic, valuable experiences and opportunities your coaching gives to children attending Portree Primary School. The success of the school in many sporting and other areas is hugely supported by the efforts, encouragement and advice you give to pupils. The discipline and active opportunities they get help them to develop in so many areas and also encourage them to look at sport as a valuable ingredient in their lives both now and in the future.” Finlayson urged the existing coaches to continue their association with the school saying, “I hope that you will continue to support the school as before and I would ask that you also support Mrs MacDougall, the Acting Head Teacher in terms of keeping going all the extra curricular activities we have in place. Can I also ask that you accept responsibility for looking after the sporting equipment at the school and things like school kit etc. which I have traditionally looked after.” Finlayson’s new post is initially a secondment for 18 months so it may be that he returns to the school in the future. He leaves with grateful thanks from everyone at Skye Camanachd for the fantastic shinty development which has taken place at the School throughout his tenure. |