Teacher retires after 43 years at same school
- Published
Marion Broadfoot started teaching at St Serf's Primary School in 1967
Pupils at a Clackmannanshire school are saying goodbye to a teacher who has taught there for more than 40 years.
Marion Broadfoot - currently principal teacher at St Serf's Primary School in Tullibody - joined the staff after qualifying in 1967.
She was also a pupil at the school just after it opened in the early 1950s.
Mrs Broadfoot, who will leave at the end of this term, said the grandchildren of pupils she had taught in the 1960s were now at St Serf's.
"Although it seems a long time, things have constantly changed over the years. Every class had been different - I don't feel like I've stayed still," she said.
"I've always been happy here - I'm very fortunate. It's a good school."
Mrs Broadfoot began her career as a class teacher before being promoted to senior teacher, acting depute head, acting head and finally principal teacher.
She has also taught every age group at St Serf's in the 43 years since she completed her training at Callendar Park College.
"Teaching was much more formal then," she said.
"Pupils sat in rows at desks and there were up to 40 in a class. I was one of the first to teach children in small groups, which was considered a new technique.
"There were no computers until well into the 80s."
Mrs Broadfoot said children were much more confident now than they had been in the 1960s, but were occasionally harder to discipline.
After her final two weeks of term, the teacher said she was looking forward to going away outwith school holidays for the first time in her life, and touring in her caravan with her recently retired husband.
But she added: "I will miss it. It's obviously been a big part of my life."
Head teacher at St Serf's, Carolyne McDaid, said: "Marion is an exemplary teacher and a model professional. She has made an outstanding contribution to the teaching profession and the children of St. Serf's and Tullibody.
"She will be much missed by pupils, parents and staff. We wish her every happiness in her retirement."