Dawn Laing

A familiar face in Strathaven will become the new head teacher at Kirklandpark Primary.

Dawn Laing grew up in Lethame Road – just yards from the school where will she move into the head teacher’s office after the festive break.

She has also taught at nearby Wester Overton Primary and will leave Dalserf Primary, near Larkhall, for a move back to Avondale.

Dawn will start full-time this month but has been popping into the school a couple of days a week and has enjoyed her experience so far.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m spending the time just now getting to know all the boys and girls.

“I know quite a lot of the staff already but it’s been funny – a lot of the kids I recognise their faces because I know their mums and dads from being in school or from just living in Strathaven.”

Having first experienced Kirklandpark in the old building as a pupil, Dawn admits it feels strange to be coming back as head.

However, she has been made to feel at home by parents, pupils and everyone around the town.

She said: “My dad is still there and I still stay there from time to time. It’s really nice – I like coming in and being able to catch up with people I knew from before. “It gives everything a bit of a family feel. “The first opportunity I had to meet people was at the Christmas fair that the parents organised.

“It was a lovely, informal way to meet everyone. Even with the kids, I hadn’t really got a chance to meet them all because I wasn’t in the school at that stage.

“Now I can go in and out of classes and

There is a great community here. It’s a great school and I want to keep developing that . . .