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Keith Primary School stalwart Hilary Reid retires after 31 years service


By Jonathan Clark

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Hilary Reid with her last P1 class at Keith Primary. Picture: Beth Taylor
Hilary Reid with her last P1 class at Keith Primary. Picture: Beth Taylor

A KEITH Primary School classroom assistant and playground supervisor has said she is leaving "the best job in the world" as she retires after 31 years.

Hilary Reid started at Keith Primary in 1991 as a classroom assistant, before becoming a pupil support assistant a few years later.

She successfully applied to work as a classroom assistant again in 2000, which she did until her retirement on Friday, July 1.

Keith Primary classroom assistant, Hilary Reid on her last day with P7's Quentin Barclay (far left), Aimee McCray (right) and P1's Alfie Cruickshank (right) and Katie Webster (far left). Picture: Beth Taylor
Keith Primary classroom assistant, Hilary Reid on her last day with P7's Quentin Barclay (far left), Aimee McCray (right) and P1's Alfie Cruickshank (right) and Katie Webster (far left). Picture: Beth Taylor

But the time has come for her to take a step back as she gets set to spend more time with her three grandchildren, Finlay (11), Daisy (9) and Geordie (6).

"I just loved every day of my work," she said. "It really was the best job in the world.

"Everybody I have worked with has been super, it has made the job lovely. I loved every minute of it."

Hilary Reid (middle) with her fellow colleagues at Keith Primary for her last day. Picture: Beth Taylor.
Hilary Reid (middle) with her fellow colleagues at Keith Primary for her last day. Picture: Beth Taylor.

On her last day, Hilary was presented with handmade cards, pictures and presents from each class in the school.

Staff presented her with a retirement gift of jewellery, garden centre vouchers and a bottle of bubbly.

"It was a very emotional and touching last day," Hilary added. "The pupils made some lovely gifts for me.

Pupils in P5H presented Mrs Reid with a memory book on her final day.
Pupils in P5H presented Mrs Reid with a memory book on her final day.

"Some of them said they didn't want me to leave but I said I'd go back and see them.

"There are books with pages full of comments from the pupils that bring tears to your eye.

"I certainly wasn't expecting that – I was just expecting to see the pupils and say bye bye.

Hilary Reid speaks to the Primary 7 pupils at Keith Primary School on her last day at the school.
Hilary Reid speaks to the Primary 7 pupils at Keith Primary School on her last day at the school.
Hilary Reid is presented with a gift by P7 pupil Demi-Lei Sutherland.
Hilary Reid is presented with a gift by P7 pupil Demi-Lei Sutherland.

"After 44 years living in Keith, we have moved to Insch be nearer our daughter and will be helping with childcare so she can get back to work – so I'm swapping one lot of children for another!"

Suzanne Scott, Keith Primary's deputy head wished Hilary all the best in her retirement and thanked her for three decades of service.

"Hilary has been asset to our team throughout her 31 years," she said.

"She has always been incredibly hard-working, conscientious, caring and loyal and would do anything she could to help anyone – whether that be pupils, parents or staff members.

"Even on her last day at school she was thinking ahead to the new term and coming up with suggestions to improve lunchtime routines for everyone.

"Hilary will big miss at the school. Her knowledge of the kids and connections with families has been so valuable.

"We hope she has a very long, happy and healthy retirement doing more of all the things she loves – she certainly deserves it."


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