Bishop Stephen Robson presents the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice to Mrs Fiona McLagan, retired headteacher at St John’s High School, Dundee. Fiona and Bishop Stephen are joined here by Fiona’s husband, Ian, daughter Rachel, son Daniel and her mum Sheila.
Fiona qualified as a Teacher of Physical Education in 1979, graduating with a Batchelor of Education in Physical Education from Dunfermline College for PE in Edinburgh. Her first teaching post was at Lawside RC Academy in Dundee, where she worked until it merged with St Saviour’s RC High School to become what is now St Paul’s RC Academy, becoming headteacher at St John’s High School, Dundee, in 2010.
Awarding the Papal Medal, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, at Mass in Ss Peter & Paul’s, Dundee. Bishop Stephen praised Fiona’s exemplary service to Catholic Education:
“Fiona has always been forward thinking, continually striving to do the best for her young people. If there was a new initiative, Fiona volunteered to push i’lt forward, serving on many National Working Groups. She was, and still is, passionate abourt her subject and was determined that her young people should, and would, be awarded qualifications for their talents and hard work in sport. As Principal Teacher, she was the driving force in the department’s introduction of SCOTVEC Modules, Standard Grade and Higher PE. And, of course, with her background in Dance, there was also a place for Higher Dance on the curriculum too! She was also, a prolific badminton and hockey player, performing at District level.”
“When she joined Lawside Academy, Fiona was a member of the Church of Scotland but during her time in Lawside, she fully embraced Catholicism and she made the decision to convert.”
“In December 2010, Fiona was appointed Head Teacher of St John’s RC High School. Over the years, as the Marist Brothers moved on from St John’s, the school’s Marist identity had been lost. When Fiona took up her post, she was determined to rectify this. Fiona’s, mission was to strengthen St John’s Marist identity and re-connect the Family of St John’s with the Marist Community. With the help of Brother Douglas and Brother Brendan, she re-established links with Marists across West Central Europe and worldwide.”
PHOTO – COURTESY OF EDDIE MAHONEY