ST MARGARET'S Primary said an emotional farewell to a long standing member of staff at a special assembly last week.

Alison Hardie is retiring after twenty four years at the Galashiels school, and was presented with flowers, gifts, and a few performances at the send off last Thursday.

After almost a quarter of a century as the school administrator, Mrs Hardie says the thing she will miss most is the children: “The children at the school are just so lovely, I'll miss seeing them every day and watching them grow up through the school. I've even taught some of their parents and seeing them coming back after the years is really lovely.

“You get to know all the children so well because the school's quite small, so it has a really caring, family-feel to it. I feel lucky to have been part of that for all these years.”

“The only thing I won't miss is driving to school on a snowy day! I can't think of anything else I won't miss.

“I'll probably be lost to begin with. I won't know what to do with myself.”

The school's seventy eight pupils and several teachers spent weeks preparing songs and poems to give the much deserving Mrs Hardie the perfect send off. She was moved to tears when the children sang a personalised rendition of You Are My Sunshine.

Principal teacher Mr Rodgers had nothing but kind words to say about his retiring colleague: “Alison had a wonderful rapport with both children and parents and she was an active member of staff.

“She was originally employed in 1991 and has worked tirelessly since, always with the school close to her heart.

“We wish her well, whatever path she chooses to take and she will always be welcome at St Margaret's.”

Ethan Rees, aged five and Gary Flinn, aged eleven, the youngest and oldest pupils in the school, were picked to present the flowers and gifts to Mrs Hardie. And Mr Rodgers thought that after all of her hard work, she was more than deserving of a 'star of the week' certificate.

The most touching present she received was a little red box filled with well-wishes and memories from every pupil in the school, which Mrs Hardie says she cannot wait to open.

Since she started at the Roman Catholic school in 1991, Mrs Hardie has devoted endless time and effort into the the running of the school. As well as the school secretary she was a dedicated member of the parent-teacher council and even spent breaks as the playground supervisor.