Fond farewell to fabulous head teacher
Fiona Pattonis pictured here with pupils from the school and receiving gifts from her grandchildren (from left) Emily Stephen (5) and Hannah (8) and Lewis (5) Kinney There were emotional scenes at a special assembly held at Newhill Primary School just before the end of term to mark the retirement of much-loved head teacher Fiona Patton.
Mrs Patton retired after 12 years as head of the school.
She first took up her post at the former Hill Primary School and was instrumental in overseeing the move in 2009 to the new Blairgowrie Community Campus, which Newhill Primary shares with St Stephen’s RC Primary School.
The surprise assembly to celebrate Mrs Patton’s time at the school saw pupils of all ages recount moving and funny memories of their head teacher. Pupils told of how she would help them home or to the bus, of her performance in the staff panto, when she did the ice bucket challenge, and, above all, how she was always there to support the children with a hug.
She was presented with flowers, gifts and hundreds of handmade cards from the pupils and staff. Thanking the children and staff, a very touched Mrs Patton said:“It was a super afternoon and a lovely surprise. The one thing I will take away from my time here is the fun that we have had.
“It has been an absolutely brilliant place to work.”