A DALE primary school teacher has hung up his whiteboard duster after three decades of dedicated service during which time he helped more than 1,000 pupils through their SATs.
Green Lane Primary School teacher Alec Lees was greeted with a standing ovation when he entered the school hall for the last time.
The school heard during a “This is Your Life” presentation by deputy headteacher Nic Linsley that Mr Lees started his teaching career at Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School, where he spent four years before moving to Green Lane, in Barnard Castle.
She said the headteacher at the time identified Mr Lees’ potential and sent him to assist other schools which needed help.
She added: “Then he moved back to Green Lane and Mr Lees continued to work really hard and because he cared so much about young people, he wanted to really help lots of children with their writing.
“Not just at our school, but loads of children, so what he decided to do was write his own book, which is really brave and it takes a long time and a lot of brain power.”
She concluded by saying: “We want to say a massive thank you from all of us about how proud we are of you and what you have done for our children, and what our children go on to do.
“We feel so honoured to have you as a teacher and we can’t thank you enough.”
Headteacher Rob Goffee paid tribute to Mr Lees by singing a karaoke version of St Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) before conducting a mock interview.
He concluded by presenting Mr Lees with the Durham Medal for outstanding contribution to the academic standards of pupils at Green Lane and the dedicated teaching to a whole generation of year six pupils.
Mr Goffee said: “It is not possible in words to thank Mr Lees for what he has done here at Green Lane.
“He has taught the oldest children in school for years and years.
“Other people have given it a go and haven’t been able to last. Mr Lees has kept it going for years.”
He added: “I know how hard a job that is and the massive pressure you have had on your shoulders, not just for the children in your class, but for the school as well.
“I know exactly how hard that is and what a brilliant job you have done there for many years. You are going to be a huge miss to the school and to me personally.”
