Pupils, staff members, councillors and Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal all came together to bid a fond farewell to a beloved retiring school head teacher.
Michelle McMullen’s 18 years as head of Airdrie’s All Saints Primary School was honoured with a celebration Mass at Holy Trinity and All Saints Church in Coatbridge.
Michelle also received well deserved gifts during an assembly at the school which saw everyone gather to wish her well during her retirement.
Michelle began her teaching career in 1988 when she taught P7 pupils at St Patrick’s Primary in Kilsyth.
From there, she moved to Calderbank’s Corpus Christi Primary following the birth of her oldest son Dean.
Michelle transferred to St Patrick’s Primary in Motherwell, where she spent nine years, during which time she also became a literary officer for North Lanarkshire Council.
Michelle was promoted to depute head teacher at Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary School in Motherwell which, at times, was home to as many as 500 pupils.
Her teaching career brought her right next door to the heart of Motherwell Diocese.
This allowed Michelle to enjoy “some intervals and cups of tea” in the company of the late Bishop Joseph Devine, where the conversation “often turned to football”.
Even while busy with her work, Michelle returned to university and gained post graduate in certificates in education for leadership and management and Scottish qualification for headship.
Michelle began her time at All Saints Primary in October 2006 and has been hailed as “a wonderful head teacher”.
A spokesman for the Airdrie school told Lanarkshire Live: “Michelle was a huge part of the school successfully moving to its new joint campus with Rochsolloch Primary.
“We weren’t long on the campus when Her Majesty’s Inspectorate team gave us a glowing report and saw no need to return.
“Everyone was delighted to say goodbye to Michelle during the celebration Mass and assembly events.
“She will be sorely missed and we wish her all the best for her well earned retirement.”
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