A Tribute to David MacDonald

Melissa Flack, Head of Design & Technology read this moving speech at the memorial service held for Mr Macdonald in the quad. Pupils and teachers were able to pay their respects to a much loved member of the PGS community who passed away suddenly during the Summer term. Mr MacDonald, known universally as Mac, joined the school in 2015 as a Design and Technology Technician. Mac was hugely popular with pupils and colleagues alike, offering guidance and support to pupils throughout the school studying this subject.

Mr Macdonald (or Mac to his friends and colleagues) was one of those marvellous people in life, who brought instant joy to everyone he met. Staff and pupils who have described him, have all used very similar words, words such as kind, selfless, energetic, positive, fun, and full of life. He was not only an incredible colleage who never ceased to amaze us with his technical knowledge, passion for learning new skills, and his practical ability, but he was also a wonderful, kind and funny friend. He was the life and soul of the department, lifting everyones spirits with his positivity, funny stories and jokes. Many of you will also remember his love of music and how he would sing and whistle his way around the department as he was going about his work. I know many of you in my classes have certanly had some giggles listening to him singing in his office over the years.

Any of the pupils who have studied design and technology can tell you just how wonderful he was at helping with projects, prepping materials and never complaining. He was always ready to help with a smile, a joke and plenty of technical knowledge.

He always had a cause or a project and was usually busy working through breaks, lunches and late after school to help out with the many extra projects he took on to aid the whole school community. Props for drama and anti bullying campaigns, repairing sports equipment and building play eqipment for the junior school to name a few. He has probably fixed hundreds of pairs of glasses and patched up more holes in pupils school shoes than we can count. I know many staff are greatful for his help too, particularly after a disastrous DIY weekend, or when they arrived with anything from broken bikes, to kitchen cupboards for repair. He always wanted to help others, and no matter how busy he was with his own work and responsibility he was always ready to drop everything to help, no matter how big or small the job maybe.

His love of life and his positivity was infectious. He was truly a joy to work with, always optemistic, encouraging and fun. Each morning I would walk into his office to ask ‘ Good morning Mac, how are you?’and his answer was always the same ‘ Im Lovely! How are you?’.

And Mac, you really were Lovely. The very best example of a friend, colleage and teacher, and I know I can speak for my team and the whole school community when I say that you will be very much missed, and never forgotten.

Mac with pupil Fabian Appelboam-Meadows in 2017