Fond farewell to Lanark head teacher David Lynas

And his wife Dianne, formerly head teacher of Braidwood Primary, also retired from her final post, as head at Chatelherault Primary in Lanark.

Now the couple are looking forward to a bit of travelling, and they both also plan to take up golf.

David, who turned 60 in October, will be missed in Lanark.

He always led the fun in any school celebrations - he was among the first to volunteer for the stocks, encouraging pupils and others to throw wet sponges, when fundraising was taking place; he was always leading from the front in costume in the school’s Lanimer procession entry, and he led them all in a Gangnam style dance for Comic Relief.

“I have had a great time working with people here – staff, parents and pupils,” he said.

“I have enjoyed lots of fun!”

David began his teaching career in 1976, at Ladywell Primary School in Motherwell. He became a senior teacher there in 1990, and that same year moved to Bothwell Primary as depute head teacher.

Then in February 1993 he was appointed head teacher at Robert Owen in Lanark, and he has been making his mark on the town ever since.

Now, as he retires, he knows he will miss the people he has worked with for so long.

“I have enjoyed coming in to work every day with such wonderful people – my staff and the children - I have loved it. I have enjoyed their company and their friendship, and I will miss them.”

Pupils surprised their head teacher with a farewell concert on Friday, with the staff singing his favourite song “Moon River”, and that night he and Dianne, were back to the school for a surprise party with staff past and present and their own sons.