Harris Academy’s departing head teacher is bidding farewell to his school after 18 years at the helm.
Jim Thewliss announced his retiral in February, and while he will continue in the role until after the summer holiday today he will walk out of the school gates for the last time.
He said he was trying not to be emotional about leaving but said he knows the school will cope with the move to the new Harris without him.
“I’m very taken by some of the things that have been said about me in the last few weeks but the school will go on,” he said.
“It’s about the school, it’s not about me. The school is run by the people in the school. It isn’t run by me.
“Whoever is the next head teacher will come with ideas but the plan, the working processes, and the way people feel engaged and married to the working of the school will carry on.
“Because of the closure of Menzieshill High new kids will be given the opportunity to come here.”
Although he will miss the big changes when pupils move to the new school building on Perth Road in August next year, Mr Thewliss said the school was well equipped to deal with the change.
Mr Thewliss has seen three cycles of pupils coming through the school, and one of his young teachers had started as a pupil shortly after he became head teacher.
As his own career draws to an end, Mr Thewliss said he would miss walking into the school and seeing Harris Academy pupils every day, but he urged staff, pupils and parents: “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.”