|
Brodick Primary School has said farewell to the much-loved janitor they know as ‘Mr T’.
After ten years in the job Jim Templeton has decided to retire and as well as the good wishes of staff, parents and pupils, he leaves with a top accolade.
Jim is the only school caretaker to be personally named in a Her Majesty’s Inspectorate report, and no one deserves it more, says head teacher Angie Fisher.
Angie added: ‘As you know, the HMI report doesn’t usually name anyone, but our wonderful janitor was personally commended for all the hard work that he did around the school.
‘We are all going to miss him very much indeed and we wish him all the best for his retirement.’
The school presented him with a special bottle of Isle of Arran Malt and two engraved glasses.
The pupils had written down a number of reasons why Jim has been such a good caretaker.
One primary three pupil wrote: ‘I like ‘Mr T’ because he always makes me feel happy when I am in a bad mood.’
Originally from Strathaven, Jim, who is 64, was janitor of Larkhall Academy for six years.
He jumped at the chance to live on Arran when the Brodick school job was advertised.
Jim said: ‘We had a static caravan in Whiting Bay for years which we used to stay in most weekends. We eventually moved to Arran when I got the job here and I have never looked back.
‘Before coming to Arran I was a qualified engineer who spent all day working with machines. For ten years it has been just great to work closely with so many lovely people instead of machines.’
‘Mr T’ used to be seen running the eight-mile return journey from his home in Lamlash to Brodick every day whatever the weather.
‘I will keep up my hill running because it is a passion of mine, but now I won’t have to run in the dark any more which is great,’ said Jim.
