10 December 2021

"I am a big believer in Port Elphinstone School"

Amelia Davies has been confirmed as the new head teacher of Port Elphinstone Primary School.

Mrs Davies moved to Scotland 20 years ago from the USA. She worked in higher education at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. After having her family, she decided to pursue a career in teaching. She began this journey by volunteering as a parent helper at Port Elphinstone Primary School to gain experience. She enrolled on the Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education (DLITE) teaching programme following encouragement from staff at Port Elphinstone Primary School.

She completed her year-long probationary period at Oyne Primary School. Since then Mrs Davies taught at Kinnellar Primary School, where she was an acting depute head both as a job-share and as maternity cover before becoming head teacher at Port Elphinstone Primary School.

Speaking about her reaction to becoming the head teacher of Port Elphinstone Primary School, Mrs Davies said: “I was really encouraged by the chat I had with the parents and the stakeholders about the journey Port Elphinstone School has been on and where they are going. I am really excited to go and be part of it now. This is the ideal next step that came at the right time.”

She added: “I think Port Elphinstone Primary School is a little hidden gem in Inverurie. It has a great multi-cultural community and a really unique setting and grounds. It is inside the community and the community has grown around it. There is a lot of potential and is a uniquely sized school in Inverurie with a great community around it. It’s a great community. The parents and partners in the community always have positive things to say.”

Her priorities will include moving the school forward with its vision and values, ensure the school is continually improving, to provide consistency and stability, and Mrs Davies intends to be part of the community.

“Port Elphinstone has a great community and a really supportive parent council. I think it is a great school. I am a big believer in the school. My kids have attended the school and have had great learning experiences. I am excited to be part of that team,” Mrs Davies said.

Cllr Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee chair, said: “Many congratulations Amelia Davies! I am so pleased someone who has so many connections with Port Elphinstone Primary School is now the head teacher. She clearly is enthusiastic about the school, the community and ensuring pupils get the best possible learning experience. I wish her well for her new role.”

Committee vice chair Cllr Rosemary Bruce added: “It’s fantastic to see a head teacher with passion and local links to the school being given an opportunity to lead it. Best of luck Amelia Davies with your new job! I am looking forward to seeing Port Elphinstone Primary School go from strength to strength.”