FIVE members of staff with almost 100 years’ of experience between them have said a fond farewell to Preston Lodge High School.

Following the end of term, the quintet have now left the Prestonpans school and headed into retirement.

In the school’s newsletter, PL Plus, the departures of Julia Robertson, Liz Nicoll, Sheena Munro, Wendy Waldie and Mary Wilson are described as “five big retirements”.

Julia joined the school in 1993 and since then has supported students, developed staff and ensured that Preston Lodge is a school that is welcoming, nurturing and inclusive.

As well as being head of Seton House, she led a programme for newly qualified teachers and co-ordinated East Lothian’s Middle Leaders scheme.

Julia also spent a lot of time organising events, including the S6 prom, school dances and the senior citizens’ Christmas concert, where guests were said to have been left feeling relaxed and happy because of her care and attention.

A school spokesperson said: “Julia Robertson is a PL Legend. It is as simple as that.

“Joining the school in 1993, Julia has embodied all that is Preston Lodge, over many years of service.

“We are so grateful for Julia’s commitment to our school and community, and we are delighted that she will remain a trustee of the Preston Lodge Learning Foundation.

“Julia will be missed, for sure, but her legacy will continue, and our school’s culture has been changed forever.

“Thank you, Julia, for all that you have done, and we wish you the very best in your next steps in life.”

'Much missed'

Meanwhile, after 25 years, Liz has also retired.

She joined the school as a home economics teacher but, for the last 12 years, she has been the school’s PT health and wellbeing, “developing a strong team of talented staff, and making a massive impact on the lives of many students”.

The spokesperson said: “The staff have benefitted enormously from Liz’s work too because she cares deeply about staff wellbeing.

“Her commitment, intelligence and sense of fun will be much missed.”

There has also been a double retirement from the school’s home economics department.

Wendy Waldie and Sheena Munro have left the school after teaching thousands of children, with 27 years of teaching between them.

The spokesperson said: “Wendy has been a much-loved teacher whose kindness and energy helped so many of our students to be the best they can be, in the kitchen and beyond.

“Wendy has been a popular figure in our school, over the last 15 years, and even sorted out our staff Christmas party before the summer break!

“Sheena, our home economics auxiliary, has been at PL for 12 years, and her hard work and sense of humour have kept home economics going.

“Sheena is known for her love of Tunnock’s Tea Cakes, but she is also known as someone who has been a great supporter of our students and our staff.”

Finally, guidance administrator Mary Wilson also finished up at Preston Lodge when the school broke up for summer.

The spokesperson said: “Mary has quietly and calmly been behind so many success stories for students, supporting our guidance team in their work and, most of all, ensuring our incredibly high rates of positive destinations for students beyond school are maintained.”

And on the quintet as a whole, they added: “We are so grateful to all five of these long-serving staff, and we wish them all a happy, relaxed and enjoyable retirement. Between them, they have 99 years of service to our school! Thank you.”