Joyce Wales nominated for Teacher of the Year Award

Principal teacher Joyce Wood (49), who has a P5/6/7 class at Crawford Primary, has worked there for a remarkable 27 years.

Joyce, who was raised in Carluke but now lives in Newbigging, said: “This year is the first one that my ex-pupils’ kids are starting at the school. That’s when I feel ill!

“I’ve been here so long that I’ve built up relationships with pupils and ex-pupils.

“There is not a week goes by when an ex-pupil doesn’t come in and ask me for a reference, a passport form or advice on what they’re going to do in the future.

“I have always kept in touch with the ex-pupils and have found that Facebook is a great way of doing this.”

For more on this story pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.