STAFF at Hermitage Academy have shared heart-warming messages to the school's 'Class of 2020' as its departing senior pupils prepare for the next step on their journeys through life.

The coronavirus lockdown has robbed the Academy's 'leavers' of the chance to say a proper goodbye to their teachers and classmates as they prepare to move on to work, training, college or university.

But that hasn't stopped the school's staff taking to social media to say an emotional farewell to the pupils who won't be returning to the Academy when the new school year begins in August.

LATEST HEADLINES: Rhu 'tombstoning' alert sparks safety warning from Helensburgh's coastguard team

On Tuesday of this week a video was shared on the school's Facebook page looking back at some of the highlights of the group's time at the Academy – not just this year, but ever since they moved up from primary school.

Click here to watch the #ClassOf2020 video

And then, on Friday, there followed a video on the school's YouTube channel in which the staff put together a collective message thanking the 2020 leavers for their hard work and wishing them well on their journey.

In the socially-distanced video, staff threw a scrunched-up piece of paper between them, with each staff member opening up the 'ball' in their section of the video to show a new part of the message.

At the close of that video, head teacher Robert Williamson told the pupils: "What this piece of paper can't show me is all the wonderful memories you've made at Hermitage Academy, all the fantastic effort you've put in, all the great friendships you've made, and the admiration of all the staff who have missed you for the last months and wish you all the very, very best in the future.

"We believe in you. We know you'll do well. Aim high. Have a great life."

READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond here