Greta and Eve, Heads of School 2019/20 and 2020/21
Handing on the baton
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I am really grateful to have had the privilege of being a pupil at St Mary’s Music School and I’d like to thank all the academic staff for their infinite patience – you showed care and interest, you understood and supported us. I would like to thank the boarding house team for making us feel at home, the kitchen staff for being open to our suggestions and everyone in the school office. I would also like to thank the pupils, especially Momo and Phoebe, my great deputies. Finally, I’d like to thank all the music and instrumental teachers for being an incredible inspiration to us all – I really don’t know enough words to express how grateful we are! We often talk about supporting each other and I think it’s fundamental to understand that everyone comes from a different past. The way you play your instrument doesn’t define you as a person – you are not here to judge or be judged. You are here to learn and grow, as a musician and as a person. You shouldn’t be afraid of being fragile, because that makes you resilient. Don’t let disappointment indelibly mark you, but use it to become the person you want to be. Kindness is a true gift. Being a nice person takes effort and energy, everyday, so keep fighting. Fight for your rights and fight even more for other people’s rights. Be curious, be critical, be inclined to listen to opinions – especially if they contrast to your own. Be more than the amazing musician you already are.
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St Mary’s Music School is a big small family. I owe a lot to this school… I owe my future to it. Greta
I joined St Mary’s Music School in S1 to study jazz saxophone and composition. When I first moved to Edinburgh, it was to a flat overlooking the School and I could hear music coming from the building every day. It’s funny looking back – I never thought I would end up as Head of School of such a fantastic place! Throughout the year, with deputies Lachlan and Sophie, we are going to focus on wellbeing, raising awareness of both physical and mental health. I’m hoping to promote the benefits of exercise and how it can help with our wellbeing – it’s something I’m passionate about and I feel will benefit everyone. We also thought it would be nice to bring the juniors and seniors together more so we plan to implement a buddy system to give each junior a senior to look up to and develop a friendship with. And we’re going to continue Greta’s work on raising awareness of climate change, looking at how we can contribute by being as eco-friendly as possible – as a school and as individuals. St Mary’s might be a small school, but there’s certainly a lot going on. Almost every week, Mr Stubbings organises a trip to an ‘unmissable concert’ and Dr Taylor takes pupils out running – rain, wind or shine – he definitely understands the benefits of exercise! The school is a really supportive environment where we can progress in our music as well as our academic studies. We receive incredible opportunities that I feel are unique to the School and the teachers are always willing to dedicate time to helping and inspiring us. Eve
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As Greta (Head of School 2019/20) hands over to Eve (Head of School 2020/21), they share their thoughts on St Mary’s Music School, their aspirations for the future and their belief in the inspiring environment of this very special ‘big small’ school.
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