STAFF, pupils and parents of children at Rhu Primary School bid a fond farewell to a "passionate, supportive and dedicated" head teacher who retired during the festive period.

Anne Milne left the school on Friday, December 20 after 26 years, having started her teaching career at Aitkenbar Primary School in Dumbarton in 1978.

Ms Milne taught in Dumbarton for 15 years before joining the staff at Rhu Primary as a principal teacher in 1993.

To celebrate four decades in the profession, a dinner and party was hosted at the Rosslea Hall Hotel with family, friends, local head teachers and staff past and present all attending to send her off in style.

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And the well wishes extended to an open afternoon, tea party and full school assembly on her final day where she was presented with her own personal year book, along with a beautiful framed picture made by pupils and staff and a handful of generous gifts from the school's parent council.

After passing the baton on to Linda MacBeath, an emotional Ms Milne said: “I feel blessed to have had such a fabulous career in teaching and I have worked with amazing pupils and staff during my 41 years in the profession.

"I will hold close in my heart great memories of my time at Aitkenbar and my final 26 years at Rhu Primary.

"Being the head teacher of this wonderful school has been a privilege and an honour and in the words of Winnie the Pooh: 'How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard'."

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During her time at Rhu Primary, Ms Milne guided the school through two excellent inspections and worked with Education Scotland to pilot active play, active learning, parental engagement and inter-disciplinary learning.

Throughout her leadership the school has been awarded six Green Flags from Eco Schools Scotland in recognition of the wide variety of environmental work undertaken.

Fellow teachers also paid tribute to the popular principal.

Acting depute Catherine Tetlow said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Anne over the last 20 years and cannot thank her enough for her help, support and kindness.

"She has done so much for all the staff and pupils at Rhu Primary School. I wish her a very happy retirement."

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Michelle Cowan said: "Anne’s door was always open for pupils, parents and staff. Her warm thoughtful nature allowed us to feel that nothing was ever too much trouble.

"It has been a delight to work with Anne over the last 14 years."

Lynsey Madonia added: "Anne was a passionate, supportive head teacher, dedicated to our school.

"It was an absolute pleasure to work alongside her and especially poignant having been her pupil here at Rhu."

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