Archbishop Leo Cushley popped into St Peter’s Primary in Morningside, Edinburgh, this morning to say farewell to the school’s Headteacher, Mrs Kathleen Nazarian, who is retiring at Christmas after 42 years in education.

“I have very mixed emotions today,” said Mrs Nazarian 18 December, “Yes, I’m looking forward to retirement but I’ve been in education for a long time now and it’s going to be strange to be moving away from the children and the staff as it’s something that’s been very much part of my life for such a long time.”

Mrs Nazarian graduated from Edinburgh's Craiglockhart College of Education in 1976. Since there has taught in St Thomas’ Primary in Addiewell, West Lothian; St Nicholas Primary, Broxburn, West Lothian; St Mary’s Primary, Bathgate, West Lothian; Howden St Andrew’s Primary, Livingston, West Lothian, where she became acting Headteacher; Headteacher of St Margaret’s Primary, South Queensferry, Edinburgh; and Headteacher of St Peter’s Primary, Morningside, Edinburgh, for the past six years. She has also taught in Kenya and in Kuwait where she met her husband and lived for nine years before returning to Scotland.

“I haven’t made too many plans for retirement just yet,” she said, “I’ll have lots of time with family and friends though.”

Mrs Nazarian retires upon the 100^th anniversary of Catholic schools becoming part of the state education system. She believes that the “Catholic ethos” of the schools underpin their popularity.

“The fact that parish, families and schools work so closely together has really contributed to the success and the growth of Catholic education in Edinburgh and across Scotland.”