THE final school bell has rung for a teacher who has been at Dunbar Grammar School for almost three decades.

Annette Rawson, who moved to the school as a modern languages teacher in 1988, waved goodbye at the end of term after 28 years at the school, as she heads into retirement.

The 60-year-old admitted it would be strange not going into work but was excited about her retirement.

She told the school’s website: “It doesn’t seem like 28 years to me – I don’t know where they’ve gone really – and although I will really miss the daily contact with staff and pupils, it’s time to move on.

“I feel a real connection with the Dunbar community and have no doubt I will be back to continue my involvement in various activities.

“It has been really heart-warming to receive so many good wishes from students, colleagues, parents and the many other agencies we work with as guidance teachers, so thank you and all the best.”

Mrs Rawson, who taught French and German, has been a guidance teacher in Dunbar for the last 24 years.

She said: “I’ve always loved doing guidance but I’ve always loved the languages side of things as well.

“I have always regarded myself as a linguist and I have been learning Spanish for the past two years, which I intend to continue into my retirement.”

She has worked under five different headteachers, including current headteacher Paul Raffaelli, and Will Collin, who is now a community councillor in the town.

Mrs Rawson told the Courier she had taught children who had gone on to be parents and then taught their children too.

She said: “Actually, I got a really nice card from a mum who wrote in the card that I was her first inspiration in her first language class.

“She was in my first S1 class and went on to become a French teacher and has been teaching all her life.

“Her children are now at Dunbar Grammar School, so it has come full circle.”

A special celebration was held at the school on the last day of term, with staff going on to the Glen Golf Club, in North Berwick.

Mrs Rawson said she was looking forward to three holidays she already had booked, as well as spending more time with her family, including husband David and sons Paul and Simon, who live down south.

Also leaving the school are Anne Johnston, librarian, and Brigitta Murray, modern languages, who are retiring, while Lucy Anderson, biology, Ashling Dolan, maths, Louise Farquhar, music, and Emma Murray, pupil support worker, are moving on to pastures new.