Oscar celebrity for retiring Carluke Kirkton head

Retiring after 40 years teaching – or 39 years 137 days to be precise – she had hoped to slip away quietly without any fuss.

However, her colleagues and pupils had other ideas!

They arranged a surprise assembly for her on Thursday, with all the pupils and some special guests there to say a proper farewell. Each class, from Primary 1 to 7, performed an act to send her off in true “Kirkton Style”. Many involved a personal touch with memories, funny anecdotes or Scottish tartan!

Caught by surprise, Mrs Meiklejohn told the youngsters: “There are a lot of illusions broken this morning.

“I always prided myself that I knew every single thing that was going on in the school, but this has been the best kept secret.”

And she added: “I feel I am in Hollywood at the Oscars, but this is better than the Oscars.

“It is quite overwhelming.”

Speakers praised the work Mrs Meiklejohn had done in her 11 years in Carluke, through school inspections and the move to the new building, and there were videos of the children saying their own goodbyes to her.

She began her career in Blackwood and, over the years, has taught in Tinto, Lanark Primary and Crawfordjohn.

“I always wanted to teach,” she said afterwards.

“I can’t think of any better occupation. It is a privilege to work with children and to see their development, and I have had a lovely, lovely time.”

She is not finished working with children – in her retirement she will be looking after her three young grandchildren, as well as her 90-year-old mother.

“I’m going to be a full-time gran and daughter,” she said.

She will be sorely missed, and everyone wishes her a happy retirement.