THE much loved head teacher of Corpus Christi Primary School is saying farewell to pupils and staff after more than 39 years in the education profession.

Mary Kelly, from Clydebank, has been in charge of the Knightswood school for the past 14 and a half years and was previously headteacher at St Gregory’s in Maryhill.

Throughout her career she has also taught at several other schools including St Clare’s in Easterhouse, St Joseph’s in Faifley, St Mary’s in Maryhill and St Andrew’s in Bearsden.

The long serving teacher received a presentation at the school show last week to thank her for her dedication and was awarded a medal by the Archdiocese of Glasgow for services to Catholic education at a mass held for her retirement on June 20.

Mary said: “I have spent some of the happiest years of my career at Corpus Christi. It has been a privilege to work with such fantastic staff, parents and children.

“I am very sad to be leaving, but retirement is a new chapter with new challenges to get involved in.

“I will miss the buzz and camaraderie of the staff and the support of the parents, but most of all I will miss the children.”

Both teachers and pupils were keen to offer Mary kind messages on her retirement.

Maureen Scott, who teaches primary 6, said: “Mary has been a very supportive and approachable head teacher. She is easy to talk to and her door is always open.

“She has been great to work for and in the words of some of the children and myself, she has been the best head teacher in the best wee school in Glasgow.”

Marie McGill, primary 3a teacher, added: “Mary has always been a very loyal, dedicated and hard-working head teacher. Her main priority has always been ensuring the well-being of the children in the school.”

Pupils also said they were sorry to see Mrs Kelly leave.

Primary 6 pupil Robbie Brander said: “It is sad to see her leave because she has been with me for most of my life in the school.”

Emma Main, primary 5 pupil, said: “I think Mrs Kelly is kind and caring and I will miss her.”

Matthew Toal, from primary 7, added: “It will be so different at school without her.”