ANOTHER new faculty yr begins, and Frank Oakes is tough at work once more, fulfilling the function he has carried out at Strathallan for 50 years.
The signwriter, initially from Stockport, has meticulously painted the names of the varsity’s Captains and Champions by hand for the reason that Seventies – virtually half of its complete historical past.
What started as a job within the military rapidly turned a ardour for signwriting that took Frank’s expertise from the perimeters of tanks to vehicles, lorries, buildings and the partitions of the Perthshire boarding faculty for half a century.
Now 88 years previous, Frank says he nonetheless loves daily of his job.
“I ought to be retired actually however effectively, it makes me completely happy, I’d slightly maintain doing this than sit at house.”
Headmaster of Strathallan, Mark Lauder, mentioned: “Due to Frank, there are millions of names in Gold on our partitions.
“What a incredible contribution and repair to the varsity – for a lot of extra years too I hope!”
Strathallan is about to enter this tutorial yr with the most important faculty roll ever in its 102-year historical past.
The varsity is welcoming five- and six-year-olds for the primary time this September, that means Frank could possibly be stored busy for years to return with the names of its youngest ever pupils.
With plans to develop the varsity already with Perth and Kinross Council, Strathallan Faculty gives schooling to ladies and boys from 5 to 18 years previous.
