THE school bell will sound for the last time next month for a popular Port head teacher whose career in education has spanned more than 30 years. 

Jane Stinson, who is in her 32nd year in teaching, has been head at St Francis' Primary in Port Glasgow for five years after coming in as depute head four years previously.

She will leave the school when it closes for the Christmas break and admits she will miss the children and her colleagues a great deal.

Jane, 58, who was born and bred in Greenock, said: "It's been great here at St Francis' Primary. I have loved working with the kids and all that interaction with them.

"It's been lovely seeing the infants starting school and how they progress.

"I'll miss the kids so much, they are very loving."

"I will also miss the camaraderie, as the staff are such a lovely group of people and have been very supportive.

"It is like a family here, anybody who joins the school is part of it, and even when I leave I will still be part of the family."

Greenock Telegraph:

Jane started her career at St Joseph's Primary in Greenock then had a spell at St Charles Primary in Paisley before 'doing a swap' and taking up a post at St Ninian's in Gourock in 1993.

She stayed there for 21 years before moving to St Francis' back in 2014.

She says former pupils still stop her in the street to chat.

Jane added: "An ambulance was called to the school a few months ago and one of the paramedics who took the person out to the ambulance said 'Miss Stinson, you taught me in Primary 1 at St Ninian's!"

Teaching wasn't Jane's first choice career. After graduating in public administration she jetted off to Spain where she lived for four years, working as a holiday representative for Thomson's.

But after her stint abroad she decided to follow in her family's tradition to go into teaching and went back to university to complete a postgraduate qualification.

Jane said: "My mum and dad are teachers, my sister Christine Murray is head teacher at Gourock Primary, her uncle is a music teacher and my husband Jim taught at St Columba's in Gourock, at Wellington Academy and Clydeview before retiring last June."

The mum-of-two has a daughter Holly, 27, who is a marketing manager with local export firm PG Paper and a son Adam, 24, who works for BDO Accountancy and Business Advice in Glasgow and has just completed his chartered accountancy exams.

She said: "My daughter is getting married next December, so I am looking forward to spending more time with her and helping with all the wedding arrangements."

Jane also enjoys keeping fit and will now have more time to pursue this passion.

She said: "I go out running and to the gym and I'd like to take up golf. Jim and I also want to go back on holiday to Spain."

Jane wants to thank her depute Margaret Kelly, saying that she couldn't have done the job without all her support.

Margaret said: "We started our roles together and I admire Jane so much for her commitment and work ethic, and her support and care of children and families here at St Francis' Primary over the years."