A HELENSBURGH music teacher has retired on a high note after almost four decades of service.

Helen McMurtrie, 59, started her career in 1978 at the Vale of Leven Academy after studying at Dundee College.

She took a career break to have children Catriona and John, before returning to teaching at Rosneath Primary.

Helen told the Advertiser: “I would have gone back into teaching secondary but being offered a spot in a primary school was too good an opportunity to pass up.

“I ended up teaching four times a week in schools throughout the area including St Joseph’s Primary, Colgrain Primary, Garelochhead Primary, Rhu Primary, Rosneath Primary and Arrochar Primary.”

She added: “I taught for 28 years in primary schools and I have loved every minute of it.

“The children are all so receptive, it really has been amazing.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s been hard. Not being in the schools all the time means I really had to try and get the most out of the children but the teachers were great and practised with the children when I wasn’t there.”

Helen said school concerts were a real highlight she’ll look back on fondly.

Another highlight of her career is hearing from former pupils who have gone on to study music and shared their success with Helen.

She explained: “Most of the children won’t do anything with music but some of them have gone on to do really great things.

"One of the girls I taught is in London at stage school, and a boy is studying at the Conservatoire – he played Oliver in a school show and is now an opera singer.

“It’s amazing to see them succeed and to hear that you have had some impact on their life and the path they have taken.”

Each primary school Helen worked with held a tea party to mark her retirement before the recent autumn holiday.

Helen said: “I was very sad at the end. It was very emotional. I loved my job and the people I worked with.”

Helen celebrated her retirement in Arrochar Primary – whose staff members include teacher Kirsten Black, a pupil on Helen’s first day teaching at the Vale of Leven Academy.

A spokeswoman for Arrochar Primary said Helen was “a huge part of school and community life”.

She added: “We would like to wish Helen a long, happy and healthy retirement.”

Denise Donald, head teacher at Garelochhead Primary, said: “Ever since she joined our school in 1996, pupils and staff have benefited greatly from her expertise.

“She worked tirelessly to foster a love of music in all. Anyone who attended concerts, productions and services she was involved in would surely agree that the standard and enthusiasm that she brought was evident. She will be greatly missed.”

A spokeswoman for Rhu Primary said Helen was an “inspirational music teacher” who will be “greatly missed”.

With a new lease of life, Helen said: “The best bit about being retired is not having to set an alarm.

"We are off to London this week but I don’t have any plans further than that.

“I would like to sing in a choir at some point, but, for now, I am just enjoying the rest.”