13th Mar 2025
As we approach our centenary year at Belmont House School, we wanted to look back, and reconnect with former pupils, near and far. Here we have seven thoughtful questions that we ask our alumni focusing on their lives, successes, and the school’s influence.
Name: Ewen Logie
Time period as a pupil at Belmont House: (12 yrs) 1984/5 to 1996/7 (excluding 1986/7)
Current Occupation: Police Inspector
How did your time at Belmont House School shape your career path?
I look back and recognise that being given responsibility at school and being entrusted by the teachers to lead by example were important aspects which have carried forward into my career as a police officer. However, my route into the police was not necessarily straightforward as I first studied Law at Glasgow University before living and working in Spain for 18 months. I think that the language skills I learned at school were a key factor in terms of taking the opportunity to live abroad.
Can you share a key moment or memory from your time at Belmont that had a lasting impact on you?
Between the sporting experiences, foreign trips and school plays it is really hard to pick. However, I would say that the Canadian Rugby Tour was one of my best memories from school and I am still grateful for having had the opportunity to go there. One key moment that lives with me was the day we left school and turned off the lights in the old common room for the last time. It signified the end of an era for us and the start of the next phase of our lives.
What skills or lessons learned at Belmont have been most valuable in your professional life?
During sixth year, as vice-captain, I remember regularly speaking in front of the school at assembly which I am sure built my confidence to the extent that I am now not particularly daunted by the thought of speaking in front of large groups of people.
In what ways did Belmont House School’s community or culture contribute to your personal growth?
The fact that the school was relatively small created a close-knit community which, in turn, made it feel like a safe environment to learn and develop. By the time we got to the top of the school, it felt like we knew almost everyone from nursery to sixth year. In fact, I recall helping out the junior school classes on a number of occasions which I now realise was helping us to develop essential life skills such as empathy, communication and interpersonal skills.
Can you describe how Belmont’s teachers or extracurricular activities helped shape your future ambitions?
The support received from teachers to take part in a diverse range of sports and activities not only provided some great memories but, for me, it also fuelled an interest in sports which has been an important theme throughout my life. This has led to me becoming involved in playing sports abroad, participating in the police rugby team through work and now to me coaching within youth football in my spare time.
What advice would you give to current Belmont students who want to follow a similar path to yours?
In terms of studying Law at university, I would recommend it as a very versatile degree which could potentially open the door to a lot of different jobs (other than just becoming a lawyer). With regards to joining the police, it is, as they say, a job like no other, but I am grateful for what it has given me and wouldn’t change that. What I would say to someone thinking about becoming a police officer is to carry out your research into what the job entails, speak to people who are within the Service, and make sure your decision is based on this if you think you would have the skills suitable. I would be happy to help with any advice.
Looking back, how do you feel Belmont House School prepared you for the challenges and opportunities you’ve faced in life?
At school, I always felt that I was encouraged to take every opportunity going and make the most of it. Nowadays, I can often be found boring my own kids with life lessons and one of my non-negotiables is that they try different things and put themselves forward when opportunities arise.
Our thanks to Ewen for sharing his experiences – would you like to feature as part of our Alumni of Belmont House School? Please feel free to get in touch with Richard Doak via email: RDoak@belmontschool.co.uk
