Getting to know... Mr Iain Blaikie (Part 3)

Getting to know... Mr Iain Blaikie (Part 3) The third and final installment of our profile of the school's new Principal, Iain Blaikie. Iain Blaikie is due to arrive in Thailand in early August to take up his post as Principal of Regents International School Pattaya. Over a series of postings, we’re taking the opportunity to find out a little more about Mr Blaikie. Today, we discover what motivates him as a Principal.

Mr Blaikie, thank you again for giving us the chance to get to know you better (see part 1 and part 2 of his profile). We’re intrigued to learn what you love most about leading schools as a Principal….

“Having been a principal in three other schools over the last 20+ years has taught me a great deal. As well as being a teacher I have also had to be a leader, decision maker, accountant, personnel director, building supervisor, lawyer and a host of other roles. I love the variety of the post and the fact that no two days are ever the same. It is essential that a successful leader in any organisation is totally devoted to the job and although the hours are often long and the challenges often eye-watering I have found being a principal to be the most rewarding job ever.

Of course one is only ever as good as the whole team around oneself and the success of the school will not be down to any single person but it will be my stated intention to ensure that Regents’ staff and students aim for excellence in everything that they do. I like being associated with excellence and it will be my mantra-like expectation that we achieve world class standards in all aspects of our work together. I want to ensure that Regents International School Pattaya is always being the best it can possibly be!

My personal job satisfaction will come in seeing young lives changing positively and every single boy and girl looking forward to coming to school, being happy (simple yet so critically important ) and discovering new talents within themselves as they rise to the vast array of opportunities and challenges our school can provide. You will also find me to be a keen advocate of decency and good manners. I expect all members of our community, students and staff, young or old, to acknowledge and respect each other. Taking the care and time to smile and simply say hello to each other really does matter and I will be proud to show visitors around Regents where I have already seen first-hand so many well-mannered and smart people. I can be as thrilled by a good smile as by anything else in my working day!”

Thank you Mr Blaikie, we can’t wait to show you everything that makes Regents so special as soon as you arrive on campus! Would you like to share anything else?

“I must finish with recognition of the many years of work given to Regents by Mike Walton. He has done a terrific job and he has been a good friend in supporting my transition. I wish him and all of his family every happiness and success in the UK. I know that he will be missed by so many people and I hope that I can do justice to his legacy.

Here’s to a happy future!”