Forfar Academy staff and pupils shared an afternoon of celebration in remembrance of two teachers.
The packed service of thanksgiving in the town’s East and Old Parish Church on Wednesday remembered principal teacher of science Mrs Judy Wilson, who died last December, and depute head teacher John Vannet, whose sudden passing shocked the school communities of both the academy and Dundee High School only last month when he died just days after celebrating his 60th birthday.
The pair were very popular and highly respected by colleagues and generations of pupils, and academy rector Melvyn Lynch said the service had been arranged as a tribute to the significant part they had played in the lives of so many.
The afternoon event included contributions from staff and pupils, including readings by head girl Victoria Miller and head boy Daniel Baty.
The Rev Karen Fenwick, of Forfar’s Lowson Memorial Church, Major Jim McCluskey, of the Salvation Army, and East and Old minister the Rev Barbara Sweetin officiated during the service.
Mr Lynch gave his reflections at the opening of the service, describing Mrs Wilson as someone who “loved her job and had a passion for teaching”.
“It was an honour to have known her and worked alongside her,” he said.
Of Mr Vannet, he said the school’s depute rector had been “in the truest sense of the word, a gentleman and a gentle man”.
“John is written into the history of Forfar Academy and the town, and it will be ever thus.”
Mr Lynch continued: “The service was very much about celebrating the lives they led and the contribution they made to the school, and about looking forward with happy memories to hold on to.
“We want to fulfil the dreams they had and take their memory forward in a positive way in the life of the school and the new community campus.”
“This was an opportunity for staff, pupils and the wider community to remember two teachers who were greatly admired and respected, not only as inspiring teachers, but as warm and friendly human beings.”
Mr Lynch added: “We have also been humbled by the generosity of the responses of the pupil body present and former and indeed that of the community through the parent council.”
That response will see two new awards presented at Friday’s academy prizegiving in memory of Mrs Wilson and Mr Vannet.