PUPILS and staff at a York primary school have sung farewell to their much-loved secretary.

Kath Campbell is retiring after 32 years service at St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School.

Instead of the conventional goodbye, youngsters opted to sing Three Times a Lady by The Commodores, who reached number one in the pop charts in 1978 – the year she started work at the Monkgate school.

Acting head teacher, Jane Conway, said: “The song perfectly sums up how we feel about Kath as a school community. “Her knowledge and understanding of the school is second to none and she has ably supported three substantive and two acting heads during her time here. “In fact, I would go as far as to say she has run the school with a little help from those heads for over 32 years.

“She will be greatly missed by staff, governors, parents and children alike.”

Mrs Campbell said she had been “privileged” to be a part of the St Wilfrid’s School family for 32 years and had witnessed “drastic changes in education”.

She said: “The staff, pupils and parents have made coming to work each day a pleasure and I retire with a heavy heart at leaving such a caring and friendly school, but look forward to enjoying time with friends and family, working in my garden and doing some charitable work.”