AN English teacher who has inspired generations of children has closed the final chapter of a career spanning 37 years.

Anne Devlin has spent all of her teaching life at St Columba's High School and is much-loved by staff and pupils alike.

Her colleagues came together to celebrate her achievements at the end of term.

Morag Goodfellow, depute head, speaking at her good friend's presentation, said: "Like Moses who spent 40 years leading his people to the promised land, Anne has spent exactly that long, give or take two or three years, leading students and the English department during her accomplished tenure with us.

"She has touched all of our lives during this time, and we are sad to see her go.

"People become teachers to make a difference to the students in their class, to teach them that they can accomplish their goals and become whoever they want to be in this world.

"Anne showed that you can make a difference in a student's life by the day-to-day things you do for them.

"She has always been keen to support young people outwith the classroom, especially those children with particular medical challenges.

"Anne’s support has always been gratefully accepted and appreciated by the parents and their children."

Morag says Mrs Devlin went above and beyond to support pupils.

She said: "Anne took advantage of every spare minute she had to teach her pupils.

"I'm sure you have seen her passing out notes for debaters, coaching and coaxing them through their paces at lunchtimes, before school, after school and whenever there was a spare moment in her school day.

"And always with exceptional results - winning locally and regionally year after year.

"Even at the end of a long day, she would volunteer her time to stay after school to meet small groups of pupils who needed extra help."

Morag says her colleague has made a lasting impression through the lives of the young people she has taught.

She added: "It has been a joy to work with someone so passionate, calm and professional all at the same time."

Anne, who started as a temporary member of staff at the school at Bayhill in 1982, quickly become a permanent fixture and went onto become principal teacher of English.

She also had two spells as acting depute head.

Departmental colleague Anne Friel said pupils were 'gutted' when they heard their favourite teacher was leaving.

She added: "Over the years she has educated and enlightened thousands of pupils and inspired them to not only love English but to go on and make successful lives and careers.

"We have parents of current pupils who were pupils here themselves and when when we meet them at parents’ evenings they are always keen to praise Anne and enthuse about their own positive experiences in her classroom."

As she moves on Anne says she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband Jim, who is already retired.

She is also looking forward to her daughter Claire's wedding and will be there to support her son Mark as he embarks on his university course in journalism.