It was one out and one in in Summer 1968, as Mr Tom Moffat, headmaster of Calder Street Secondary School retired and another teacher took his place.
Tom retired after a whopping 45 years in the teaching profession. Born in Hamilton, he had attended Hamilton Academy and graduated with an M.A (Hons) in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University in 1922. He taught at Airdrie Academy and Hamilton Academy before moving to Uddingston Grammar as Principal teacher in Maths. He later became rector.
Tom Moffat came to Blantyre in August 1948 and during his 20 years at the school, gained the respect of pupils and teachers alike. His hobbies were gardening and bowling being a past President of Hamilton Bowling Club. Bowling was a big part of his life, so upon retirement the pupils presented him with new bowls and a travel bag. At a farewell dinner in the posh Silvertrees Hotel, his colleagues gave him a tape recorder, presented by Robert Mays, the first assistant of Calder Street School.
So, this of course left a significant teaching void. It was therefore appropriate that the new headmaster Mr Robert Mays, first assistant at the school since the war. Mr Mays was 57 when he took up the position. Born and educated in Coatbridge, he lived in Bothwell. He taught at Bellshill Academy, Chryston and Wishaw and moved to Blantyre after the war. He became the head science teacher before becoming first assistant and then headteacher. My Mays was a married man.
Do YOU remember these teachers?
