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New Methlick Primary head teacher says "It just feels like a dream come true”


By David Porter

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Head teacher Zoe Whyte
Head teacher Zoe Whyte

Zoe Whyte has been confirmed as the new head teacher of Methlick Primary School.

She was depute head teacher at Peterhead Central School for four years and seconded to St Andrews Primary School, in Fraserburgh, to perform the same role prior to her new post.

Speaking about her reaction to finding out she had been appointed as the new head teacher, Mrs Whyte said: “It’s just something I have always wanted to be, in a rural school but an area I know well.

"I know that it is a fantastic community and there is a lot of parental engagement. It just feels like a dream come true.”

Some of Mrs Whyte’s own children went to Methlick School Playgroup and Nursery.

One of her sons farms nearby and her brother lives in the village.

“If I was going to be a head teacher anywhere, this is where I would want it to be,” she said.

Mrs Whyte’s teaching career began in 1990 as a secondary school English teacher at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh.

Then she moved up to Aberdeen where her family are from originally.

She worked at Ellon Academy for around 12 years where she became acting principal teacher of English.

She moved into primary school teaching after deciding she wanted a new challenge.

She also has experience of working in behaviour support and intervention and prevention.

Mrs Whyte became interested in working with children with additional support needs following her experience of bringing up three sons with Asperger’s Syndrome.

This career change involved returning to university to carry out further studies.

“I am always drawn to the children with, perhaps, more challenging behaviours.

I try to make sure they have a better experience. I am all about the kids,” she said.

A combination of a love of people and literature, as well as inspirational teachers at Cults Academy, were the impetus for Mrs Whyte to pursue a career in teaching.

She said: “I have always been interested in children and helping and supporting them. I didn’t set out to be a head teacher, but is where I have ended up. It has been a natural progression.”

Councillor Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s education and children’s services committee chair, said: “Many congratulations to Zoe Whyte. She has a range of experience in various settings which I am sure will be useful in providing firm leadership but also ensuring every child receives a warm and caring environment in which to thrive.”


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