Morgan Academy FPA

Mr. D.W.B. Mitchell M.A.

(1868-1880)

Appointed as the first headmaster, he had previously been headmaster of the Canongate school in Edinburgh. Under his supervision and wise management the hospital became a model of its kind and proved a great blessing to many boys. He passed away on 22 January 1880

Mr. William Wilson M.A.

(1880-1890)

The governors elected William Wilson as the second headmaster, previously of Heriot’s Hospital Edinburgh, worthily maintained the traditions of the school. He continued as headmaster when the building became Morgan Academy. He gave much labour and thought to the organisation of the new academy but did not hold the rectorship long as he died in 1890.

William Balfour Irvine B.A.

(1890-1909)

Mr. Irvine Had a wide experience as headmaster of a flourishing private school in Dundee and was appointed to the rectorship. During his term of office many highly distinguished pupils passed through the academy and when he retired in 1909 he received many presentations from staff and former pupils as a mark of appreciation.

Dr. Alexander Leighton O.B.E. M.A. BSc. LL.D.

(1909-1934)

Perhaps the most influential Rector, the School board elected Dr. Leighton, the mathematical master in the school at the time, to the post of Rector following the retirement of his predecessor. He received his O.B.E. between 1924 & 1928, while he held the post.

As Rector, He introduced the house system to the school in 1931/32 and school and house captains were appointed in 1932/33.

After he retired in 1935 he married Anne Cecilia Cameron Bewick, Officiated by Rev. George Blair minister of Ryehill church.

Anne was a Music teacher at Morgan academy from 1908 and composed the music for the school song  “A Song of ‘The Morgan’”. The words were written by Rev. George Blair, the School Chaplain.  She was lady superintendent from 1927 – 1935.

After her death, Dr. Leighton presented a trophy to the school in memory of his wife, awarded annually to the Girls School Captain in recognition of her services to the school. It was awarded for the first time in June 1951.

David E. Collier M.C. M.A. BSc.

(1934-1943)

Mr. Collier was appointed as Rector following Dr. Leighton’s retirement. He served through the beginning of WW2 until 1943.

Peter Robertson M.A.

(1943-1970)

Mr. Robertson is the longest serving rector, Having served 27 years in the position of Rector.

He left the Royal H.S. Edinburgh in 1924 and studied at Edinburgh University graduating first class honours in Classics. He taught at Bo’ness Academy before becoming Head of Classics at Harris Academy. He made educational films for nursery and pupils aged 5-18 and wrote a text book for Classics. He joined the board of governors of Dundee College of Education in 1959 and became Chairman in 1966. He was also on the Scottish Council for the training of teachers.

At his retrial the convenor of the education committee said of Mr. Roberston “During his time, his work has enhanced the already high reputation of Morgan Academy as one of the important senior secondary schools of Scotland. A brilliant teacher and administrator, he had devoted himself with single mindedness to the welfare of the school and to the best interests of the thousands of pupils who passed through his hands”. In his time the school reached its largest roll of 1700 pupils.

James T. Bewick M.A.

(1970-1986)

James Thomas Bewick was born on 2 may 1925 at 3 Janes Morrison street, Glasgow, son of James Bewick, a lithographer, and Agnes Provan.

He was educated at Albert Road Academy, Glasgow and entered Glasgow University in 1942. As a naval reservist he was involved in coastal duties before resuming his studies and gaining his M.A. in English literature.

He was appointed Rector of Morgan Academy in October 1970 and led the school through a difficult transitional period when it changed from a selective senior secondary school to a comprehensive in 1973. It was his astute handling of the fire in January 1972 and its aftermath that drew plaudits, when staff and pupils were scattered throughout the city in 4 different schools in an attempt to maintain educational continuity. He also led the school through a number of other changes in education, the introduction of the guidance system, the Munn and Dunning reports and the change from O Grade examinations to standard grades in the 1980’s. He died on 19 April 2001 aged 75, four weeks after fire gutted the Morgan Academy building in Forfar road.

A prize is awarded to the dux in English in his memory.

Alan W. Constable BSc.

(1987-2004)

Alan was born in 1946 and educated at Blairgowrie H.S. and Heriot Watt University where he specialised in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as a design engineer for the ford motor company before deciding that teaching should be his career and gained a teaching qualification at Moray House.

He joined the inspectorate for a brief period then was appointed Depute Rector at Montrose Academy. During his time as Rector the school enjoyed a period of modernization, building on the  ‘excellent work’ of his predecessor. He was on secondment in March 2001 when the school was devastated by fire. He returned immediately and, in tandem with his duties, he played a significant role in the design of the new building. He retired in December 2004.

Stephen Shaw BSc.

(2005-2016)

Stephen was born in Saltcoats in Ayrshire and attended Ardrossan Academy. As a boy, He supported Kilmarnock F.C. and went to the matches at rugby park. He graduated from Glasgow University in 1977 and after doing his teaching certificate at Jordanhill taught biology  at Crookston Castle Secondary and Shawlands Academy in Glasgow. In 1985 he took up a post as Principal Teacher of Biology at Inverness Academy and spent 9 years in this post. During this time he took a secondment at Northern College as a lecturer in the science department . The job included visiting students on placement and one was at Morgan Academy in 1991. Morgan Academy Former Pupils’ Association marked his retiral by making him an honorary member of the association and he was presented with an F.P. tie.

Helen Gray

(2016-2020)

Born and schooled in Motherwell she graduated from Moray House in 1989 after wench she joined a graduate management scheme with an international retail business. Moving back into teaching, she taught in several schools in Dundee and Angus including Morgan Academy in 1995. Appointed Principal Teacher of Guidance at Arbroath Academy. This preceded her promotion to Depute Head Teacher. There followed another promotion to Head Teacher at Menzieshill High School for 6 years before joining Morgan Academy in 2016.

Johnny Lothian

(2020-)

Johnny was appointed Rector of Morgan Academy in January 2020, having previously held the role of Rector at Perth Academy for 7 years. In addition to leading the learning community at Morgan, he is also currently chair of the Maryfield ward Local Community Planning Partnership, Dundee.

Previously a member of the Perth Kinross Career Ready Local Advisory Board and the Perth & Kinross Regional DYW Board.  Working in education since 1995, initially in Physical Education, Guidance and Leadership positions, Johnny spent three years as an independent educational consultant with Insights, Dundee; supporting young people and teachers in the area of personal and team effectiveness.

Johnny is a father of four children and a former international field-hockey player and is passionate about improving outcomes for young people, their families and their communities.