THOMAS (TOM) JOHN RANKIN 1947-
Tom Rankin, the much-
The son of Thomas and Jemima – known to all as Annie, Tom was the youngest of five children. A native of Glasgow, he completed his primary education at Ballater Street Primary in the Gorbals and his secondary education at John Street Secondary in Bridgeton and Strathbungo Senior Secondary.
Initially Tom had considered becoming a draughtsman but on obtaining his Highers, he decided to go to university and he matriculated at Glasgow University, studying Latin, French, Philosophy, and Economics. At the end of his second year, he left and spent a year as an uncertified teacher at Bernard Street Secondary in Bridgeton. The experience had a positive impact on him, and he returned to his studies, completing his degree and going on to Jordanhill College to do teacher training.
While at Strathbungo Senior Secondary, Tom met Jean Adams, and they married on Friday, June 13, 1969. They heard from their best man about teaching opportunities in Africa and decided to start their married life in Zambia. Initially, Tom’s work took them to Chizongwe Secondary in Chipata. After almost three years, Tom was transferred to Lusaka, the capital, becoming depute head of Kabulonga Boys School and then head of Libala Secondary. These were among the most prestigious schools in the country at the time. He was also seconded to the Ministry of Education to work on the nationwide introduction of the Cambridge Exams. It was a happy time for the newly married couple and both their daughters – Lynne and Fiona – were born there. Upon their return to the United Kingdom, Tom worked in schools both north and south of the border, and in 1981, Tom was appointed as the headteacher of Daliburgh School.
It is in the nature of schools like Daliburgh that the range of responsibilities and duties that come with the job of headteacher often exceed the job description. As well as being headteacher, Tom had an intimate knowledge of the building and the school equipment, knowledge he required when things went wrong. The standard of his own teaching was very high and his lessons are remembered with fondness by generations of pupils. IT was a particular interest and strength, and his patience with those – pupils and staff – who did not have his expertise was legendary. Everything Tom did was characterised by the warmth of his personality, his humour, and his generosity of spirit. He was an excellent communicator and could relate to pupils of all ages and members of the school and wider community.
Tom added to his qualifications by doing an OU degree in Educational Management and
became a Fellow of the College of Preceptors. It was around this time that the school
structure changed throughout the Southern Isles, and Tom managed the transition at
Daliburgh. In addition, he spent time working for the education department on the
roll-
Tom and Jean had always travelled extensively, and visited Egypt, Jordan, and the Netherlands as well as many of the more popular holiday destinations. Retirement meant that they were able to spend longer periods away from home exploring places like New Zealand and Iceland on cruises, visiting Fiona, Ian, and their three children in Cheshire, and wintering in the warmer climes of Florida with Lynne and her daughter Helen. He was able to indulge his passion for model railways, archaeology, and reading. A nice coda to his career was the volunteering he did at Cothrom.
Tom Rankin enhanced the lives of generations of pupils (and teachers) at Daliburgh. A sympathetic and effective school manager, he made an enormous contribution to both the education service and the wider community over his many years on South Uist. Above all, though, he will be remembered by everyone as a good and kind man who did everything with a smile.
DR
Obituary: Tom Rankin, South Uist
15 May 2019
