03/07/2026
Dear Kellands Family,
I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you.
Over the last few days, I've truly felt the love from our school community. The cards, gifts, kind messages, words of encouragement and thanks have been overwhelming in the very best way. I am incredibly grateful.
Back in November 2020, my family and I were trying to outrun Covid, returning to the north of Scotland from southern China, where I had been teaching. The plan had been to head back overseas, but Covid (and closed borders) had other ideas.
With my bow and arrow pointed at the Myjobscotland map, I landed on Kellands.
I still remember my interview on Friday 13th November (unlucky for some!). It took place over the phone, courtesy of Covid restrictions, and there was a strange echo throughout the conversation. The Head Teacher kindly explained that the problem wasn't with the phone line; he was conducting the interview from the gent's toilets.
Strange, I thought.
Then another voice joined the conversation, a female one - the Deputy Head Teacher, also in the gent's toilets.
Stranger still.
I imagined them squeezed into a cubicle together with the phone on speaker. It was this level of dedication, mixed with a complete lack of professionalism, that first made me think, this might just be the school for me!
Later that day, Mr Mollison called to offer me the job and asked if I could start on Monday.
The rest, as they say, is history.
My first three days set the tone perfectly.
Day 1: The fire alarm went off. I'm fairly sure it was the first time many of my pupils had heard it because calm and composed they most certainly were not! One child was so frightened that I scooped them up and carried them outside with the crowd, they had no idea who I was. It was a baptism by (thankfully no) fire.
Day 2: Morrisons donated a fridge to the staff room. This was the first of many occasions on which I witnessed Mr Mollison shedding a tear. I'm convinced his tear ducts are actually blue paper towels in disguise. I remember turning to Miss Owens (now Mrs Fletcher) and asking, "What's he crying about?" To which she replied, in her wonderful Irish lilt, "It'll be because of the fridge."
Day 3: We were informed that there had been a positive Covid case, meaning both P1 classes and the P1/2 class had to move to home learning. So, for my first few weeks, I got to know many of the children through daft online videos while trying to support our wonderful parents and carers with remote learning for five-year-olds. No small task!
At the time, I don't think I properly processed everything that was happening. I was simply getting on with it. But recently, as I've reflected on my time here and prepared for what comes next, I've realised something important.
Kellands threw me a lifeline when I needed one.
In return, I've tried to throw myself wholeheartedly into every opportunity, every challenge and every day. Along the way, I've had the privilege of getting to know so many wonderful, salt-of-the-earth people who are far dearer to me than they probably realise.
As I head off on new adventures and travels, I know one thing for certain: Kellands will always feel like home.
To the pupils, families, staff and colleagues I have been fortunate enough to work alongside - thank you. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this community, and I will carry so many happy memories with me wherever I go.
Once Kellands family, always Kellands family.
With sincere thanks,
Mr Souter
