Nearly 40 years working at the same primary school in Kirkwall has seen an Orkney woman being made an MBE.
Jane Bruce, who retired as head teacher Papdale Primary School at Halloween, has been honoured for services to education in Orkney.
Mrs Bruce said: “It is wonderful and I’m very honoured but goodness me I’m shocked and overwhelmed.”
Her first job after graduating was as a teacher at the school. She later became a senior teacher, assistant head, depute head and for the final 14 years, head teacher.
She said: “By all accounts it has been a wonderful nearly 40 years in the same school. I just loved it, the pupils, the community the parents and the staff are all one big team.
“I have been really fortunate. All I ever wanted to do was be a teacher. I studied in Aberdeen and I suffered terribly from home sickness.
“That was my first job. Opportunities to develop as a teacher came up and I was supported and encouraged by colleagues, friends and family. That school just became a really big part of my life. It was an extended family. That’s why I stayed there. To develop these children into young citizens and see them move on, I have loved it.”
Mrs Bruce is married to local solicitor, Aly Bruce and they have two grown up sons, Steven and David.
She said: “Papdale Primary is a very special place for me and in my heart.”
