{"id":604,"date":"2020-04-19T21:40:17","date_gmt":"2020-04-19T20:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/?p=604"},"modified":"2020-04-26T22:53:15","modified_gmt":"2020-04-26T21:53:15","slug":"count-to-ten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/2020\/04\/19\/count-to-ten\/","title":{"rendered":"“Count to Ten…”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Over the past two weeks, there has been an overwhelming amount of tributes paid towards our Hero Mr McHugh. So much so, the BBC, STV News, The Daily Record and Scottish Sun ran articles about Mr McHugh. This was for two reasons – Mr McHugh was a larger than life personality who became a local legend for his teaching but also because the pupils of Notre Dame High School were sharing\u00a0#RedForGerry.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The tributes from pupils wearing Red for Gerry, was one of the top trends in Scotland as a result. Showing just how much Mr McHugh meant to the pupils and community of Notre Dame.<\/span><\/p>\n

For many years, Mr McHugh has poured his heart and soul into teaching the pupils of Notre Dame, making sure each and every one of his lessons were funny and unique. He sang when he spoke and he always had a smile and time to speak. He always had Notre Dame and its pupils’ interests at heart. He had such a strong passion and love for his job that shone through everyday in his teaching.<\/p>\n

The impact that Mr McHugh had on our school and the wider community is hard to comprehend. No one had a bad word to say about him, a legend of Notre Dame High School, Broomhill and Cappielow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is so much that could be said but no one can say it better than the pupils, former pupils, teachers new and old and those whose lives he positively impacted.<\/p>\n

We will miss you but we won’t forget you.<\/p>\n

Rest In Peace, Mr McHugh.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

From the Pupils of Notre Dame High School<\/p>\n

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From the Maths Department<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been so privileged to call Mr McHugh our boss and friend. He was always there for us, every step of the way, supportive, understanding and always wanting the best for us. There are actually 3 member of our department who were all taught by Mr McHugh and he was the very reason that they studied Maths at University and went on to become teachers themselves. He was happiness personified and brought so much joy to his work. He created a family atmosphere and we always felt valued and included. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. We are going to miss him terribly, we will never be the same without him but we will continue his legacy and we will be forever grateful to him for everything he has done for us as a Department and for Notre Dame High School as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Louise Hughes, S5
<\/strong><\/span>Mr McHugh was by far one of the best teachers in the school, he always had time for every pupil he spoke to and never failed to have a smile on his face. He was able to make maths a really fun and enjoyable class for all year groups. He also loved his football and incorporated it into his teaching, we all loved the patter he had between Liverpool and Man United.<\/p>\n

Niamh Day, S5
<\/strong>He had a unique way of teaching. He always had weird and funny sayings that would help us solve the toughest equations. He made maths a fun and enjoyable subject for everyone, and I don\u2019t know any pupil that didn\u2019t enjoy going to his class.<\/span>
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Mr Armour, PT PE<\/strong><\/span>
A few years ago my higher class were particularly good at badminton and a group of the boys in my class were also in Gerry’s higher class. Over a series of weeks, we managed to convince the boys that Gerry had represented the western districts at badminton! They fell for it so much that they challenged him to a game during the higher double period!<\/span><\/p>\n

So I gave him a racket a tough mudder head band we had in the base and he rocked up to the games hall, as you can imagine, hamming it up McHugh style! He took his jacket off pulled up his trousers, took a shuttle and went on court.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the boys served to him and he completely missed the shuttle It Was only then the boys realised we had been winding them up and Gerry was actually useless at badminton!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Mrs Couttie, Headteacher<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

All of our current pupils now started S1 in the new Dunlop Street building but whilst this was being built, we were in a School on the site where the new Health Centre is now being built on Dempster Street.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr McHugh lived in Whinhill Court and his classroom was at the very end of the corridor on the second floor looking right out on the very floor that he lived in. <\/span><\/p>\n

Every day, pupils like Alex McWatters and Robbie Coleman used to ask him if he had driven to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes he did bring the car to work as he took a school football team and was always the first to offer to help out with transporting pupils but this was always a source of discussion as he lived so close to the school.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think he was very glad to move back to Dunlop Street and to extend his very small circle of travel to a slightly bigger one!<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr McHugh will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by\u00a0everyone associated with Notre Dame High School. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When we are able to return to School we will focus on the aspects of Mr McHugh that have made him so special to us and will look to ensure that we are all better people for having known him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Amy Medinelli, S6
<\/strong>One of my fav memories with Mr McHugh is something that happened a lot! Whenever I would put my hand up because I was stuck with a question, he would come over and explain it through but you could tell he was trying so hard to help you and when you understood, he would go back to the front of the class but that wouldn\u2019t be it, he would remember that you found a certain thing tricky and check back on you so many times for weeks after until you were so confident in it! Same thing if you were off, he would remember exactly who was off sick in his class even though he had other classes with other pupils, and make time to sit down with them and walk through what they missed bit by bit so that no one was behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul Donnelly (Former Pupil)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
Former pupil from 2019. Can say that I had Gerry since I had maths on my timetable, but I loved every single class we had!<\/span><\/p>\n

The way he taught was both funny and made you listen, which helped me pass. But it wasn’t just his teaching that was great, The way he treated everyone was exceptional, always making everyone happy and positive about their situation.\u00a0<\/span>He always treated me very well, and my family loved the guy.\u00a0<\/span>He was truly one of the greatest people out and after all of this is done, a great send off for him is well and truly deserved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lucy Kelly, S5<\/span><\/strong>
Mr McHugh tried to give up talking about football for Lent … He lasted till 11:45 on the first day. He was doing so well but then he forgot and started talking about a match and then started hysterically laughing and it was such a funny moment he was mortified but still found it funny. So, then he told us if he called certain people in the class ” wee” then he would have to put money in the SCIAF box.
Without fail every single period he would put 2 or 3 pound in that box and every time he’d say the same thing ” oh my, I’ve done it again i need to stop doing that. Silly man, silly, silly man. What am I? A silly man” and it never once failed to bring a smile the entire class.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Michael Dyer, Former Pupil (1996-2002)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a former pupil (96-02) of NDHS, did a student placement there as a maths teacher in 2007\/08 and then worked there for 2 years after. I\u2019m now head of Maths in St Stephens. Gerry was the single biggest influence on me becoming a Maths Teacher and as a head of dept he is always the first person I look to for advice. As a teacher I was in absolute awe of him. There is literally nobody else like him in the profession.<\/span><\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t speak to Mr McHugh until the end of S2. I had 4 days off school to go to the Brazil v Scotland match at the World Cup. Mr ODonnell sent me to see Mr McHugh who had a senior class at the time. Walked in the class and McHugh and the whole class stood applauding for a good minute or so. Every time it started to die down a bit McHugh would get them going again.<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t remember exactly what he said to me but for the next 2 years until I got him for Higher McHugh would always first pump and shout \u2018eres the wee Brazilian!\u2019 any time I passed him – anyone who was a pupil or worked in Notre Dame can picture and hear him doing this in their head right now. I\u2019m almost certain he didn\u2019t even know my name at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gerry had that special knack of making everyone feel good about themselves, even if the conversation was a difficult one.<\/span><\/p>\n

I swapped scarves with a Brazilian that day in 1998. It\u2019s made it from the mean streets of Rio to Dunlop St via Paris…….<\/span><\/p>\n

Proud to have been a pupil, colleague and mate of his.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Mr Gordon, PT Music<\/strong><\/span>
I am devastated and heart broken at the passing of the great Mr Gerard McHugh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gerry had the most incredible gift of making everyone feel so welcome and so valued – pupils and staff alike. It didn\u2019t matter how long you had known him; he just had such a gift of making you feel special. Even if it was just a \u201cHello Gerardo!\u201d in the corridor (or \u201cRight, wee Gordon!\u201d as a pupil), it always put a smile on my face and a spring in my step.\u00a0I feel so unbelievably lucky. So lucky to have known Gerry McHugh. So lucky to have been taught by him for 4 years and what a gift to have been able to call myself his colleague for the last 15 years. I learned so much from Gerry as a pupil but I have no doubt that I learned even more from Gerry as a teacher and role model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of my most recent memories was of an occasion when Gerry was so incredibly nice to me (when he really didn\u2019t have to be) and also when I was recently sitting in his class as a 37 year old teacher playing countdown with the sixth years (apparently 7 and 5 makes 12, not 75. Who knew?) and I got \u201ctannoyed\u201d to report to the school office as I was supposed to be on a please take!!! I had only popped by Gerry\u2019s class to ask a quick question and ended up staying for about 15 minutes; he always made you feel so welcome and I probably just regressed 20 years to being a 17 year old S6 student trying in vain to find the answer in Countdown. I didn\u2019t want to leave!<\/span><\/p>\n

Gerry was always so willing to help the pupils in any way. Whether that be an ice bucket challenge, his oscar winning performances as Louis Walsh in the Feast Day talent shows, supporting the school football teams or being a \u2018hero\u2019 at the school prom. Gerry was ALWAYS the first person to book their place for the school prom and pop an envelope with money in my tray in the staffroom. That\u2019s how much he loved the pupils. So many people have said that he was like a Father figure to them. This is so true. How lucky have we all been to have him in our lives?<\/span><\/p>\n

One of my funniest memories as a pupil was definitely in S6 as a CSYS pupil when the class were working in silence on some difficult problems and I asked to open a window. To get to the window in Gerry\u2019s class you had to go up on the ledge around the room as it was set quite far back but, not being the most athletic pupil and unable to make the leap, I had to step on a shelf for assistance. Well, the silent class was silent no more when we all heard an almighty snap as I broke the wood of the shelf when standing on it. Gasps and sharp intakes of breath were heard around the room to see what Mr McHugh would say\u2026silence. Then\u2026\u201dWho ate all the pies??? Wee Gordon??? Gerardo ate all the pies!\u201d and then hilarity and tears of laughter ensued.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The way that Gerry forged relationships with all pupils was nothing short of inspirational. It\u2019s just who he was. You never got anything short of a smile or a funny story from Gerry. You were honoured to get \u2018mistake of the week\u2019 on his wall (as I did as a teacher!) and you just wanted to do your best for him; even at the weekly weigh-ins on a Friday morning!!! His classroom was a shrine to his pupils, former pupils and colleagues who he loved so dearly and we all loved him right back.<\/span><\/p>\n

The terms \u2018Legend\u2019 and \u2018Hero\u2019 are thrown about all too easily these days but Gerry was the epitome of them both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I feel so incredibly lucky to have had Gerry as such a big influence in my life. Although I didn\u2019t go on to teach Maths, as a pupil, Gerry\u2019s shining example of how to be a teacher was undoubtedly an overriding influence in forging my career path and I know that countless others will say the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every time you meet a former pupil and they ask after their \u2018old teachers\u2019, Mr McHugh is always at the forefront of the discussion. It\u2019s so hard not to be able to come together to support each other and the pupils we love so dearly at the moment but I\u2019m taking great solace in knowing that Gerry will be watching over us all. Especially our wonderful pupils.<\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t quite imagine Notre Dame High School, or the world, without Gerry McHugh but, rest assured, the staff of Notre Dame High School will NEVER let the legacy of Mr Gerard McHugh be forgotten.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you, Gerry.\u00a0<\/span>
Legend. Hero. Inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Gary Lynne (Former Pupil 1998-2004)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve thought about Mr McHugh (Gerry) ever since receiving the sad news of his passing. My pals and I (of varying ages) have talked about him regularly and some stories about the great man came to mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

I attended NDHS from 1998 – 2004 and although I was unfortunately never in any of his classes, I got to know him well through our mutual love of football. That summed Gerry up, even if you weren’t in his classes, he still went out of his way to support you or make\u00a0you laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

As those familiar with him know, his classroom was plastered with Morton photos and newspaper clippings of famous games involving the Ton. In amongst these though was posters of a notorious Broomy Bar character, Donnie Bonnar. Gerry had a chart next to these and would encourage pupils to write where they had seen this man in public and then question you about what he was doing at the time etc. He would also tell us to shout “Donnie Bonnar!” at him. I remember this poor guy standing outside the Broomy Bar wondering why hundreds of weans knew who he was. The penny, no doubt, dropped quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another one that made me laugh was around 5th year, some NDHS teachers made a recording of themselves singing their favourite songs, not sure if this was for charity. At the time I was in Mr Smith’s Maths class (like Gerry a fantastic teacher) who played the tape to the class. Midway through on comes Gerry belting out Daydream Believer and hysterics ensued when we heard “cheer up Tommy Turner, oh what can it mean, to a sad Paisley person and a rubbish football team”. I’m sure there are many among us who were fortunate enough to witness the uncensored version on a Saturday at Cappielow\u00a0\ud83e\udd23.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gerry was a fantastic teacher and phenomenal human being. He had the ability to make you feel 10 feet tall even when dishing out a roasting. A man with a heart as big as that famous smile, he’ll live on in the hearts of us all. Thanks for the memories, “Pieman” x<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Mrs Delaney, Former English Teacher at Notre Dame High School<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I first met Gerry 17 years ago when I started in Notre Dame. I was three years into teaching and very young. Expectations were high and I remember that smile for the first time: he made me feel so welcome. He was already part of the foundations and someone who people admired.<\/span><\/p>\n

My pupils always talked about Mr McHugh and I quickly realised that not only was he a lovely man but also something quite special. Gerry was an amazing teacher. His lessons were filled with fun, laughter and football. He had a cheeky child quality to him that would sweep up the most Math hating child in his wake.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember when my eldest child was starting at Notre Dame, the first teacher I told him to look out for was Gerry. Jack hated Math but loved being in Gerry’s class. My second child in Notre Dame has just left Notre Dame. He had Gerry the last two years and adored him. He is very sad at his passing. At parent’s night Gerry told me Kian was ‘Just great. A smashing lad who will do great things’. I am glad I told him that night in February that he was great because he absolutely was.<\/span><\/p>\n

I loved him dressed as Santa for secret Santa – giggling. His tales of ‘Yer auld Da’ would have tears streaming down my face. He filled a room with warmth and humour. Gerry’s young at heart quality made him so engaging. There was always time for others from neighbours, cleaners, work colleagues to of course the children\/young adults. Gerry made all feel important and special.<\/span><\/p>\n

My boys and I are Manchester United supporters. We were down for the derby game when we won 2-0. I was talking about him. We wondered if he was there. It was two weeks before the start of all of this and it feels a million years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can it be that lovely Gerry is gone? He was one of a kind and yes a legend! He will be having a good old belly laugh at all the fuss. I can honestly say I am not surprised because he has touched and influenced so many in this town.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am going to try and be a bit more like Gerry. If I can be even a tiny bit like him then I will be doing well.<\/span><\/p>\n

God bless you my friend and glory glory……….<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Stephanie G, Former Pupil 1998 – 2004<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

His laugh was brilliant and truly infectious.<\/span><\/p>\n

He promised me I would get my higher maths and only thanks to him I did. If it wasn’t for his support and belief in me I would never have kept trying!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Michelle Liddell, former DHT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I worked with Gerry since 1988, when he came to Notre Dame as a young Maths Teacher. At that time, Notre Dame was located on Peat Road, in quite a different building to the one we are in now and the PT of Maths was Mrs Margaret Robertson.<\/span><\/p>\n

I saw Gerry as a friend as well as a colleague after all the years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gerry had a great personality. He always had a smile on his face and a cheery greeting whether in the staffroom, corridor or his classroom. He and I would often have banter with the pupils and I rarely passed his classroom without being drawn into the lesson. I loved the relaxed atmosphere in the room and the rapport he had with the pupils.<\/span><\/p>\n

In my roles as a Guidance Teacher and then a DHT, I found Gerry to always be supportive and helpful. He was very organised and as a Senior PT in the school, I relied on him for advice and for his opinions which I valued greatly. There was many a time when we had wee chats about the school in general, and it was always very clear that the Notre Dame community was a very important part of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gerry loved the pupils and they loved him. When referring or talking to many of the pupils, he would put \u201cWee\u201d in front of their name. He referred to my husband as \u201cYoung Iain\u201d when he was in the school as a supply teacher, even though Iain was a few years older than him!<\/span><\/p>\n

A few years ago, some of the staff , under the direction of Mrs Anne Marie Alford, made a tape for charity in which we all sang, or tried to sing, a song we liked. Gerry sang on this as I did. My song was \u201cMoon River\u201d and ever after that, whether it be on a bus after a staff night out or a S6 Prom, Gerry would call on me to sing \u201cMoon River\u201d. I<\/span><\/p>\n

On the Open Nights every year, Gerry would have pies for the pupils who were helping him and I would always get a half of a pie sent to me. This was the only time I ate pies!<\/span><\/p>\n

There are so many memories I have of Gerry and I will treasure these forever. The pupils of Notre Dame were the centre of his teaching and of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rest in Peace Gerry x<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Notre Dame Inside Source<\/span>
Gerry started at NDHS in August 1988.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr McHugh taught in Notre Dame for 32 Years.<\/p>\n

We wonder how many generations that Gerry taught?<\/p>\n

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Mrs Morrison, Maths<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

“BIG MCHUGH AND THE SQUARE ROOTS”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

During lent, a long time ago, we used to have a talent show in the school. I think it was staff and pupils and held at lunchtime in the gym (in the old building here on Dunlop Street). The maths department were asked to take part as we were always up for a laugh. I don’t think there was too much planning but on the morning of the talent show Big McHugh and the Square Roots was formed. The song we picked was “Da do ron ron” probably because MrMcHugh knew the words(and I don’t think ther was a football equivalent), made the backing singer\/dancer costumes out of black bin bags and coloured paper, choreographed it in the corridor and that was it. Once we were on the stage, Mr McHugh was the star, singing his heart out, stamping his foot and punching his fist in the air as was his signature style. We had such a laugh and I’m sure you can imagine the effort he put in to get everyone involved resulted in a standing ovation – and the lifting of the trophy(it was cardboard covered in tin foil!). I think we retained it for several years but can’t remember what we sang. However although the backing singers changed, Big McHugh was always the star of the show. He could sing anything. We just used to tell him what he was to sing and the rest is history!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGerry in the Greenock Telegraph. <\/p>\n

Thanks to the Telegraph and Eric Webster.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGerry in the Greenock Telegraph. <\/p>\n

Thanks to the Telegraph and Eric Webster.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGerry in the Greenock Telegraph. <\/p>\n

Thanks to the Telegraph and Eric Webster.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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