IT'S the end of an era this week at Vale of Leven Academy when the schoolchildren and staff say a fond farewell to their head teacher.

Catriona Robertson is retiring after providing seven years' sterling service to the West Dunbartonshire Secondary.

Her last day is this Friday and Ms Robertson admits she will not know how she will feel when the final bell rings.

She said in her final newsletter to parents: "I’m not sure how I will feel when I get to the 14th October!

"One thing I am sure of is that I will miss the pupils of the Academy tremendously.

"I do believe that you should not be in education if you are not able to see pupils for what they are – a very individualistic, determined, hard-working, funny, talented bunch of young people."

Ms Robertson highlighted some of the work she has undertaken in the last few years in being that link between the schoolchildren and parents.

She said: "During the last seven years I have brought good news about our present and past pupils, to try and underline what amazing young people they are.

"I am very proud to have been able to bring these messages over my time in the Academy.

"I would like to thank all the parents for their support – ‘Achieving Together’ wouldn’t work without you!

"I would particularly like to thank all the staff in the Academy – both teaching and support staff.

"We have had some hard times, but mainly very good times!

"Staff work tirelessly to ensure high quality teaching and learning- fun is allowed- and to ensure our young people attain as highly as possible.

"We work together to try to ensure that every young person has a ‘start’ when they leave the Academy, whether it be a modern apprenticeship with the council or an architecture degree at Glasgow School of Art. We value them all!"

More recently, the school's exam pass rates have been a source of great pride too.

Ms Robertson said: "A major good news story has been our exam results in 2016.

"Over the period of the last five or more years, the Academy has seen year on year sustained improvements in our SQA exam results.

"2016 saw even more improvements.

"I am absolutely delighted that the hard work of pupils and staff, with huge support from parents, has led to further improvements in the SQA results.

"Against the background of sustained improvement over a number of years, the examination pass rates are up again significantly.

"National 4 had a 100% pass rate with the National 5 pass rate increasing from 79% to 80%.

"The Higher pass rates were maintained at 71%, but more young people are attaining 3 or 5 Highers in their 5th year than ever before.

"A particular area of improvement has been in the Advanced Higher results. Pass rates have risen from 66% to 76% with 3 pupils attaining 3 AH passes in S6, and 6 pupils attaining 2 AH passes in S6."

Ms Robison paid tribute to the man who is going to succeed her- Paul Darroch, who comes in from St Peter the Apostle High School, Clydebank.

She said: "Mr Darroch, the new Head Teacher, will start on Monday, October 24.

"He has worked in schools in West Dunbartonshire for the whole of his career and is greatly looking forward to taking up his post in the Academy. I wish him well!"

She added: "I would like to wish all the young people, past and present, best wishes for the future."