Keith Primary School administrator retires after 22 years service
ONE of Keith Primary's longest-serving staff members has retired after 22 years at the school.
School administrator Margaret Gray started at Keith Primary School in December 1998 and retired on Friday.
Before working at Keith Primary, Mrs Gray worked at Botriphnie Primary School and the old Ogilvie School in Keith for a combined 11 years.
On her last day, Mrs Gray was given a big presentation by the school's staff and met each class individually across the afternoon.
"I was hoping to slip away quietly but it wasn't to be," she joked.
"I'll miss the kids and the staff. The staff are super and I've worked with a lot of lovely folk past and present – here and at other schools.
"I have lots of memories to take away from here. Most of all, it's lovely to see everything the kids achieve, even little things can be a big thing for some.
"It's nice to see them grow from nursery to high school and see them go on to do great things – be it with music, art, at university or at work. It's nice to see all that and be a part of it.
"And then you see some people back as parents. It's a lovely spirit community spirit and there is a big variety of work so I will miss that."
Mrs Gray is planning on spending more time with her children – Lyndsey, Colin and Bruce – and her husband Jim after retirement, with plenty on her to-do list.
She added: "I like the garden so I'm hoping to spend more time out in the garden and maybe pick up some more hobbies that I haven't had for a while.
"I'm wanting a break to start with, but I'm hoping to see the family more when covid allows us.
"My son Bruce and daughter Lyndsey live in Scotland and my other son, Colin, is in America so I'm looking forward to spending time with them."
And, to finish, Mrs Gray wished Keith Primary School all the best for the future.
"I just wish them all well, the lot of them, I'm sure the school will go from strength to strength with Ms Buchan in charge," she added.
"It has been lovely working for her and I have worked for lots of lovely folk.
"The staff are a great bunch. I have enjoyed their friendship and I'm sure they will be friends for many years to come."
