Ochiltree primary: Mrs Shannon and Mr Renton retire

As this year's primary seven's had their final day at the school it was also a farewell to two members of staff that had become part of the Ochiltree furniture.

A piper played as the P7s, along with the outgoing staff members, left the school for the last time.

Assistant Elizabeth Shannon has been at the school for over 30 years, and in that time has also taught hundreds of youngsters how to swim over more than a decade, as well as winning three Scottish Relays with her swim teams over the years.

They joined the outgoing P7s. (Image: NQ Archive)
That's in addition to the numerous cups the swim teams won over these years, with Mrs Shannon herself winning an East Ayrshire award for her service within the swimming.

Mrs Shannon said it was a bittersweet day for her, as she said goodbye to her colleagues and pupils.

She told the Chronicle: "I'll miss the pupils, the parents, the staff, the after school clubs and things like that that I'll miss the most.

"Being here for so long you get used to certain things being around you so I'll definitely miss the things that I'm so used to.

"I'll also the miss the football and the swimming and just all the things I've been involved in."

Mrs Shannon has said goodbye. (Image: NQ staff)

Flippantly, Mrs Shannon also pointed out one thing she won't miss from her time at the school.

She added: "I won't miss the IT systems one bit. You can stick me into any trip and get involved with the pupils in anything, but as soon as I've got things to do on the computer I'm lost.

"I've had some great times with all the pupils during the years.

"I've been moaning about retiring for years, but I'm ready for it now and I'm just looking for to a bit of relaxing because this isn't exactly a job you switch off from and you take a lot of things home.

"The village of Ochiltree and all the people from Skares have been amazing.

"I've had four bad personal things over the years and the community really rallied round me.

"So there's definitely things I won't miss, but the people that I've shared these years with is definitely what I'll miss."

Also on his way out of the primary is janitor Isaac Renton.

Mr Renton spent eight years at the school. (Image: NQ staff)

Having been at the school for eight years, he's looking forward to getting his feet up and being able to relax.

Mr Renton said: "I'm really looking forward to retirement. 

"I've been at other schools, but I've really loved my time here and you have some great laughs with your colleagues and the pupils and parents and people like that.

"Before coming into the schools, I was a lorry driver and before that I went straight into the pits from school.

"So, I'm definitely looking forward to retirement, but I'm sure I'll find something to keep me occupied."