Inverness primary head teacher voted a lockdown legend
An Inverness primary head teacher has won a national award from a leading Scottish learning organisation for going above and beyond during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Aileen Mackay, head teacher at Smithton Primary, was named a Lockdown Legend, after leading a public vote and has won a weekend break in a tree house.
Over the summer holidays pupils, parents and teachers from across Scotland nominated their Lockdown Legends, in a nationwide Tree of Knowledge search to recognise their efforts.
Ms Mackay said: “This recognition is really about the staff, parents and pupils. While it is lovely of the staff to do this I remain mortified about getting an award for just doing my job.”
A social care worker was just one of those who voted for her and said: “Aileen has always been a committed and caring head teacher. But during lockdown she was often working 18-hour days to look after the children, parents and staff.
"Aileen makes everyone she speaks to feel important, valuable and heard. She goes above and beyond any regular head teacher.
"If Aileen says she will help you she does and will go out of her way to do so. Aileen Mackay is a truly committed and caring head teacher unlike no other and she deserves Lockdown Legend recognition.”
Council education committee chairman John Finlayson said: “I have known Aileen for many years, and I know how hard she works and how committed she is to her pupils, staff and school community.
“It comes as no surprise to me that Aileen has received the many positive comments she has for all she has done from all the stakeholders in her school community during lockdown and I am delighted she has received this well-deserved recognition which I know she will see as not just recognition for herself, but also as recognition for all her teaching colleagues across the Highlands.”
