Tributes have been paid to a Fife head teacher, described as an inspiration by his staff, who is retiring after nearly 40 years in education.
Craig Mitchell, head teacher at Donibristle Primary School in Dalgety Bay, made the announcement in an emotional email sent to parents and pupils.
He said returning to Donibristle, where he started out as a young probationer in the early 1980s, to take the head teacher role had been a “dream job”.
In between times, he had a three-year stint teaching in Egypt before he returned to Fife to teach in a number of schools. He became deputy head at both Donibristle and Methilhill primary schools before later being appointed head teacher first at Lochgelly South, then Dunnikier Primary School in Kirkcaldy
Mr Mitchell had also conducted a number of roles with Fife Council at strategic level and was an associate assessor for HMIe for several years.
He said he had enormous pride in the education and experience he and his team at Donbristle had given to children and families over the years.
“Being able to see our children develop and grow as they pass through our school has been hugely rewarding. Watching them thrive in secondary school and beyond into adulthood, priceless,” he said.
“It demonstrates to me, that we do care about getting it right for every individual child, just as our school motto states.”
He said the school was now facing extraordinary times and the time was right for him to step back.
Alison Green, deputy head at Donibristle said Mr Mitchell has been an inspiration for staff as well as pupils.
She said: “We have been overwhelmed with messages wishing him well and talking about the positive influence he has had throughout the community.
“He has touched the lives of so many staff, children and families here, he will be sorely missed.”
She and fellow deputy head teacher Karen Hart will take over in a joint role at the school before a further appointment is made later this year.
