A TEACHER who spent his entire career at Dunbar Grammar School has heard the school bell for the last time.

Phil Robertson had been a teacher at the school for nearly 37 years but called it a day on Friday.

The craft, design and technology (CDT) teacher told the Courier he had thoroughly enjoyed his time at the school.

Speaking on his last day, he said: “I walked in the school and thought ‘this is me’.

“When I first came off the train to go to the interview and I was walking down Summerfield Road I thought ‘what a lovely place’.

“I liked the houses and thought I could settle here.

“I have settled in North Berwick but Dunbar was and is heaven on earth.”

The 60-year-old became a teacher having spent time in the Merchant Navy.

Since then, he has become a familiar face at the school.

He added: “There is not a year goes by when I ask for a show of hands as to who had parents here.

“Many of the parents I can remember – not quite all of them. I always dreaded the day where it could be grandparents.”

Now the father-of-three plans to spend more time doing the things he loves, including cycling, rowing and skiing.

Along with wife Sheena, they plan to see more of their children – Finlay, Duncan and Cameron, who is studying astrophysics in Sweden.

A number of pupils took the time to say goodbye to Mr Robertson on his last day.

He added: “It has been a peculiar thing.

“It has been quite emotional and so many kids have come up to me, kids I have not even taught.

“I have got a bag beside me full of gifts, chocolate and cards.

“One card from a girl I taught last year made me weep.”

Staff said farewell to the teacher at a special meal in the town last week.

Mr Robertson added: “We had a presentation in school on Thursday and we will be getting together with friends [this] week – past, present and future.”

Dunbar ward councillor Paul McLennan, who was taught by Mr Robertson, as were his children Scott and Kirsty, said he would be “a big miss to the school”.

He said: “I remember him and he was one of my teachers in first and second year.

“He was a really good teacher and to give that service to one school for all that period of time is fantastic.

“For me he was always a person that got on really well with the pupils and treated them as young adults.”