Staff Spotlight: Millie McCallion,
Emotional Guidance Coach and DDSL
Friday 07 November 2025
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In our Staff Spotlight series we enjoy speaking with the wonderful and varied Gordonstoun staff, discovering what inspires them in life generally and hearing about the specific things that drive them each day. This week we chatted with Millie McCallion about life at Gordonstoun, how her emotional guidance coach role supports the important pastoral offering at Gordonstoun and about the things she loves.
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Tell us a bit about yourself, what you do and how long you have worked at Gordonstoun?
I work as the Emotional Guidance Coach and have just entered my second year. I work with students on a wide range of emotional and mental wellbeing topics, all with the aim of building resilience, compassion and of course happiness. I also work with a couple of community organisations to challenge stigma and promote mental wellbeing through training and immersive retreats in the Scottish wilderness. I live with my husband and two young boys in Elgin, where we initially moved short term but now have no intention of leaving!
What do you enjoy most about working at Gordonstoun?
There is a real feeling of empowerment at Gordonstoun, in the students, but also the staff. I am amazed at the magnitude and quality of things that occur each day, it is a hive of activity, and you really do feel anything is possible. It's fascinating and inspiring!
What is happening in your department right now? Any new initiatives/exciting events for this year?
My role was new a year ago, to further our pastoral offering and in acknowledgement of the importance of students feeling well as a whole, in order to perform their best. Whether that is on the mountain, in a classroom or interacting with peers.
In year two we are looking at developments in our Wellbeing Watcher peer supporter program, developing in-house tools and signposting resources and of course continuing to help people realise their potential through 1:1 and group coaching sessions. We're also continuing our training for staff in mental health and trauma informed practices.
Coaching is inherently Hahnian and I am excited about how we are defining how this works in modern day education.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Without sounding cheesy, I feel like I am living it at the moment. I have a real sense that all of my passions, experiences, qualifications, values and hopes have culminated - I am doing meaningful work, I am challenged and supported, I am fortunate to have a healthy & happy young family, I feel valued and I feel connected to the people around me and the beautiful place I live and work.
I see this as an achievement as I've made very intentional choices through my life, and don't particularly believe in luck. I have had some very difficult times too and times where I haven't felt in sync, but as I approach a significant birthday, I feel I am exactly where I'd like to be.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness for me is calm, simplicity, and beauty. I believe happiness can be found in any moment—it’s about appreciating the little things, staying open to them, and feeling that sense of awe and perspective that reminds you of the bigger picture. For me, that includes enjoying good food, moving my body through weight training or yoga, relishing the seasons for what they are, hiking up a hill, being in the ocean or surrounding myself with people who fill my cup—both metaphorically and literally!
What is something surprising about you?
In my past life, I headed the Human Resources function for multiple countries in Asia for Red Bull and Daniel Wellington and have lived in Hong Kong and Dubai. Scotland has my heart now though, although I miss the heat and food.
What talent, real or fictional, would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to sing, I truly believe it is a superpower. You know, the kind of voice that stops you in your tracks, gives you goosebumps and brings a tear to your eye!
Is there a quote or saying you live your life by?
Play until the final whistle - We lost my brother, a keen sportsman, to cancer in 2017. This was his favourite quote and for me it's about always doing your best, never giving up and keeping your integrity and grace.
What is your
guilty pleasure?
Christmas!
Everything about it, from the traditions and stories to the food and events. I very much enjoy learning about the different influences on Christmas throughout history and weaving together my own interpretation of them.
Having my two young children has re-injected a beautiful magic into it that I think we somewhat lose as adults.
Curious about Gordonstoun? To find out more about our staff, community, our award-winning wellbeing offering and the uniquely broad range of opportunities available to our students, join us on our next Virtual Taste of Gordonstoun Webinar.
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