This year Lomond School will be embarking on a new phase as the school welcomes new Principal, Johanna Urquhart. Johanna will join Lomond for the start of term in August 2014 and is looking forward to moving to Helensburgh later this month.
“At the end of July my husband James, our two young sons and I will be moving to Helensburgh and we are all very excited. It was last September when I saw that Lomond School was looking for a new Head. The decision to apply for this post was one that would affect our whole family and I knew that it had to be right for everyone and not just me. I spent much of my childhood on and around Loch Lomond – walking, cycling, canoeing, boating and water ski-ing. I have so many happy memories of this time and the outdoor adventures and opportunities that this area provided. As a family we enjoy the outdoors, particularly sailing, so I knew that Helensburgh was a place we could call home.”
Before applying for the post Johanna visited Lomond School to get a feel for the school’s values. She toured the school and met with many teachers and support staff while considering Lomond as an option both for her future career and for her own children.
“Having spent most of my career in the east of Scotland, I had never visited Lomond School and was keen to establish whether the school’s values would fit with my own and would my boys be happy there? The minute I walked into the Junior School’s Clarendon building I knew that my boys would love it. The historic architecture has been lovingly restored retaining all of its period features yet incorporating all of the modern technology and facilities needed for education in the 21st century. Every classroom is bright, colourful and you know instantly that this, along with the teachers who have created these wonderful displays, will inspire creativity in young and curious minds.”
Johanna was educated in the state sector and worked in schools in Fife before being promoted to Head of Maths and IT at The Waid Academy, Anstruther and then Deputy Head at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy. For the past 6 years Johanna has been Academic Depute Head at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Mathematics and Statistics and a Masters Degree in Education, specialising in Leadership and Management.
“I have been lucky to have learnt my craft in good schools with great teachers. However, it was only when I moved to the post of Deputy Head at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh that I really understood the difference that an independent education can make. Independent schools promote an environment and ethos that allow teachers the time and space really to think about how they teach and not just what they teach. The opportunities that exist to extend pupils in the classroom also hold true outwith. It is the whole educational experience that allows young people to grow and develop into responsible, caring and successful adults who contribute positively to society. Lomond School offers a huge diversity of non-academic activities from traditional sports, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, clubs and societies such as debating and Young Engineers through to a strong commitment to outdoor education. This allows pupils to develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, creativity and communication to name but a few, as well as developing their confidence and self-esteem.”
Alastair Hope, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Lomond School said:
“We began the recruitment process back in September 2013 and were extremely impressed and encouraged by the interest in the post and the quality of the applicants. The selection committee carried out a very thorough and objective campaign to find the best candidate and were delighted with the appointment of Johanna Urquhart to this role. We are confident that Mrs Urquhart will bring energy, enthusiasm and integrity to the post and the Board of Governors is confident that she will prove to be an outstanding leader.”
Since her appointment Johanna has visited Lomond a number of times and has been leading the recruitment of a number of new posts for new departments for 2014, including Health and Food Technology and Drama, and for other teaching and Head of Department posts.
“Throughout my own interviews and during my various visits to the school I have been struck by the commitment to developing the school facilities – from the modern and welcoming boarding house, to the new Sports Centre to the proposed development of new classrooms to offer curricular Drama and Health and Food Technology. Every adult and every pupil I met was friendly and welcoming; and there was a calm and purposeful atmosphere across the school.
I learnt of the school’s commitment to maintaining small class sizes, where every pupil is known and encouraged to grow and develop not just academically but holistically. This holds true to my own beliefs in education and so nine months later I feel very privileged to be on the cusp of taking on the role of Principal of Lomond School. For me it is a great responsibility, as well as an honour, to be taking on the leadership of such a fine school.”
The Urquharts will move to Helensburgh at the beginning of August and Johanna will begin her role as Principal of Lomond School before the school returns from the summer break on the 26th August.