An Interview with Mrs Hudson

Easy question to start, what were your highlights of the year?

Armistice is always a highlight and this year we were once again able to bring the whole School community together. The parade brings the traffic to a standstill and is such a visual and visceral reminder of our place in the centre of the city. It highlights in the most powerful way that it is our humanity that unites, rather than divides us. The chance to share this with our wider HSD Family (live on social media) really demonstrates that it is possible to retain our ‘HSD/ DHS DNA’ whilst also embracing new ways of doing things!

Other headline events were; The Pipe Band winning the World Championships (Novice Juvenile B), Commonwealth Games successes; Eilish McColgan (winning that Gold Medal) , Shona Campbell (demonstrating that Women’s Rugby is a seriously exciting sport!) and Cameron and Jamie Golden competing for Scotland and Great Britain in Men’s Hockey. My first Prize Giving as Rector in the magnificent Caird Hall was a real highlight made all the more special by Guest of Honour FP Graham Stuart (So Television) having a word for every pupil. That same day the Senior Musical performance of ‘We Will Rock You’ was a joyous reminder that if you are bold enough you can achieve something extraordinary and that the performing arts are transformational. More recently The Premier Quaich competition which FPs will remember as our answer to BBC Young Musician of the Year, demonstrated that the standard of music making is utterly exceptional at HSD. Although all competitors were winners (actually of their respective instrument classes) the overall quaich winner; percussionist, Cameron MacLean showcased the absolute joy and exhilaration that music can bring to both the performer and the audience

Every day as Rector brings a highlight. It is a cliché to say it but absolutely true. From the L1’s waving wildly as I walk past them in the playground to the conversations that I have with pupils at the front gate. It is the hidden, individual successes, too numerous to mention where a young person has surpassed all expectations that bring the greatest satisfaction. Obviously teaching my F2 history class remains a joy, I still love teaching, it reminds me why I do what I do!

You spoke last year of a sense of history as you locked the gates at the start of lockdown, what are your thoughts and reflections on that period now? (There is a long, long pause followed by an intake of breath as memories are weighed, then a steadying short imperceptible sigh before the answer comes).

It makes me feel emotional and immensely proud. We were stepping into the unknown and were utterly out of our comfort zone. I worked to create as much certainty as I could for the community, for colleagues, our young people and their parents. The fear of what the pandemic would bring in terms of loss of our loved ones was real, indeed several members of our community were faced with this terrible reality. I was fortunate to have my amazing family for support and an extraordinary senior team (and two amazing Deputy Rectors!) In addition, were our brilliantly dedicated team of teachers who went way above and beyond and a support staff who were willing to do everything possible to adapt our facilities to ensure we were back in school together as soon as restrictions would allow.

Staying connected to our young people and each other was the absolute priority. It also took me to a place where I had to communicate in a very different, very open and honest way. I think the community will long remember my infamous video messages! Seriously though, this was something that I came to value very much and is now part and parcel of how I do the job.

It is difficult to really do justice to what we achieved I hope that the community really know how exceptional it was.

Sadly you had to write two obituaries for former staff, anything you wish to add?

Rosemary Stewart was very influential for me as a young teacher because she was a woman in a leadership role. I was a young teacher with lots of ideas and Rosemary demonstrated how to encourage and also how to say no in a supportive and kind way. I now understand just how important this balance is in nurturing and supporting future generations of teachers and leaders!

When John Nolan came to the school (to teach German) he was ‘technically retired’. I did the lesson observation which was an element of the selection process, and my only German came from singing German Lieder! At the end of the lesson, the extraordinary thing was that I understood all the elements of the lesson and had some useful vocab under my belt. John’s secret was how he infused his teaching with his personality, bringing his passion for language, sense of the dramatic and humour to all his lessons. An inspirational teacher, we were lucky to have him in the school, in the twilight years of what had been a stellar career. He wrote plays that were just extraordinary. These plays (and Herr Nolan) are imprinted into consciousness and minds of the pupils who experienced them

They were inspirational in different ways, but both had a significant impact on me professionally and personally. They are very much missed.

What’s

the biggest challenge facing the school?

There are lots of challenges but also opportunities. One of these is to really be able to take our place within the City of Dundee. It’s a challenge that demands boldness, putting aside divisive barriers and a leap of imagination to see things from new and different angles. The stars aren't aligned for any of us at the moment (the school, local authorities or government) with so much uncertainty ahead. With COVID there was an absolute unifying driver, so it meant that we didn't stand so much on ceremony; if it was the right thing to do, we did it. We need that spirit going forward and I am optimistic!

One tangible thing you would like to change next year?

To develop the front playground as a shared outdoor space for the whole community. I am committed to that and to work with colleagues, our pupils and their parents to continue to ensure that HSD is simply ‘the best’!

What is important to you?

Family. People. Positivity, Commitment and Kindness. These are the anchors for me. I have an amazing job, no matter the challenges (and they can be considerable sometimes) I am always excited to come to ‘work’ I still pinch myself that I have the privilege of leading this amazing school and the responsibility of that is hard wired into me! It matters to me that we always act with compassion towards one another. I try to model this. It also matters to me that we are a community that understands the profound learning that comes from ‘failure’ Again this is a cliché but such a powerful message for us all in a society that demands so much perfection. Ultimately if my family are well, then all is well. I have two amazing daughters (both naturally HSD FPs!), a very supportive husband and I am also very fortunate to still have a big extended family and we are very close. Both my parents live nearby and are very connected to my life. My mum often calls in the morning as I drive to School and sometimes that means I’ll sit in the car, parked-up, for half an hour before I begin my day.

I am very blessed, and I take care to always remember that and be grateful.

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