Tribute made to Moffat Academy rector

Jul 1 2009 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

A LASTING tribute in Moffat is to be paid to retiring headteacher Jeff Brown.

Jeff, who was named Scotland’s headteacher of the year for 2008, is to have a new street named after him.

Annandale and Eskdale councillors have decided that the newly upgraded road giving access to Moffat’s new all-through school complex and the Hammerlands should be named, Jeff Brown Drive.

Moffat and District Community Council backed the idea, saying it would be a fitting tribute to the rector who has devoted 21 years to the academy and was given an OBE for his services to education.

Community council secretary Jean Purves said: “Both the community council and the community appreciate the contribution and hard work of Mr Brown during his period as rector.”

Mr Brown, who retires at the end of the school term on Friday, said: “I’d be honoured and privileged to have the street named after me.”

The Moffat Academy Parent Council is also planning a lasting tribute to the rector in the form of a special fund.

Chairman Jim Tildesley, said: “The parent council has decided the best way to celebrate Jeff’s contribution to the young people of Moffat is to establish a fund that would provide funding in the form of an award to be given annually to a pupil leaving, or about to leave, the school.

“The award would be in recognition of that pupil’s sustained endeavour and achievement and will be to assist them move forward to the next stages of education or career.”

He added: “It would also be the aim of the parent council to build up a fund that will also allow for a younger pupil at Moffat Academy to receive an award for achievement and endeavour.”

Parents of existing pupils have been sent a letter asking them to contribute to the establishment of the fund and anyone with a link to the school from the past can also contribute by sending donations to the school office marked for the Jeff Brown Pupil Award Fund.