FOLLOWING a long and courageous fight against cancer, Norman Strachan died on February 22 at the age of 54. Norman had announced his early retirement from his post as rector of Elgin Academy only a few weeks earlier. He was a very significant figure in education both in the north-east and in Scotland.
Norman was a native of Elgin, a former pupil of West End Primary School, where he was dux, and of Elgin Academy, of which he was head boy. Following
studies at Edinburgh University, where he met Norma, his future wife, Norman trained as a teacher of modern studies and history at Moray House College.
In 1969 Norman took up his first teaching post at Elgin Academy. He was appointed principal teacher of modern studies in 1972, being one of the first appointments to such a post in Scotland. Norman's work in the academy at that time led the way for developments in modern
studies throughout the country, addressing the needs both of pupils following certificated courses and the new cohorts of returning pupils generated by the raising of the school-leaving age.
Norman and his department pioneered the development of sixth-year studies in the subject
and made a big contribution
to curriculum development in national working parties in the social subjects for what were then termed ''Young School Leavers''.
He served within the na-tional examination team for modern studies and was chairman of both the joint working party and central support group which respectively designed and supported the resourcing of Standard Grade in the subject in the 1980s.
In 1977 Norman became depute rector of Speyside High School in Aberlour and made a major impact in shaping the early development of the school. He became rector in Speyside in 1982. Norman then returned to Elgin Academy as its rector in 1987 and set about modernising the school in ways which reflected his values of fairness, inclusiveness, and moderation.
Norman was a devoted husband to Norma and proud father of Aileen and Hazel.
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