Jack Smith

Loanhead is a small town on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which Jack has made into a community despite being resident in Fife. He has been Head Teacher at Paradykes Primary school for 29 years and is about to retire. He has touched everyone who is connected to the school, especially "his" children. Jack has tirelessly worked for many years with lots of organisations to make the children in his school have a better education and a better life. His love for the school goes above and beyond what, we think, most people out with the education department would deem normal. He has brought joy back into children's hearts, who at times, don't have anything to strive for. He is likened to the "Pied Piper" or indeed "Father Christmas" as the children are constantly wishing to talk to him with his endless patience to listen. Another of Jack's achievements is his involvement in sport. Long before Active Sports Coordinators existed, Jack decided to get all the children in Midlothian to meet up through sport. He helped organise what is now known as the Midlothian School, Interschool Sports day. This allowed children to get to know each other and make a bond and learn, what is very important to him, the act of good sportsmanship. Jack and his children have also managed to succeed in becoming the only Midlothian school to win a cup final at Ibrox. On 2 occasions Paradykes Primary has been in the Walkers Cup final for Scottish school children.