IT was a red letter day at St Luke’s High in 2008 as principal teacher of physics, Gerry Boyce, retired after 30 years of service to the Barrhead school.

In his time there, he witnessed major changes to the Scottish examination system – as well as helping countless children prepare for life after school.

Mr Boyce, however, was taking it all in his stride.

He said at the time: “The thirty years I’ve been at St Luke’s, not much has changed. Although new technology has changed the subject, its still physics.

“In terms of discipline, the level at St Luke’s has remained consistently high.”

That high level of consistency at St Luke’s seemed to be the key factor that kept Mr Boyce at the school for so long.

He said: “One of the things that’s made St Luke’s special from day one is the friendliness of the staff, which is second to none.

“When you get an outstanding pupil in your class who achieves a good set of Highers, it makes it all worthwhile.

“I’ve always been impressed by the levels of uniform at the school and the surrounding primaries.”

Although Mr Boyce maintained he would miss all of the pupils and staff at St Luke’s, he was looking forward to enjoying some extra holidays.

St Luke’s headteacher Patricia Scott said: “Gerry has been part and parcel of St Luke’s since it opened.

“In his 30 years with us he has initiated thousands of pupils into the mysteries of physics and, thanks to him, many of our former pupils are now working in the physics field itself.”