Scottish Catholic Observer

School janitor Charles McLaughlin recently retired from St Bernard’s Primary, Whifflet, but he was invited back on February 22 as the community honoured him for his long service.

The moment Mr McLaughlin entered the hall he was met with a whole school of pupils and staff cheering his name like a celebrity.

Headteacher Therese Macready praised the work of Mr McLaughlin, focusing in particular on how he interacted with the pupils. Mrs Macready explained that the janitor would often go out of his way to help pupils reconcile after they had fallen out with each other.

The pupils also got a chance to show how much their janitor had done to make their school experience so memorable. Mr McLaughlin was given gifts from the pupils including a book of memories they could share with him. The pupils, who gave gifts to both Mr McLaughlin and his wife, lined up to give him a cuddle, showing the care he had given to the school and all who had been there over the last two decades.