MANY tears were shed at Aberbanc Primary School at Penrhiwllan on Friday as it closed its doors for the final time and long-serving headteacher Rhiannon Ainsworth brought the curtain down on a teaching career spanning 37 years.

Ysgol Aberbanc is one of five schools making way for the new Ysgol Bro Teifi - the first purpose-built 3-19 school in Wales which opens at Llandysul in September - and its closure brings to an end an education tradition in Aberbanc stretching back to 1848.

Speaking on the school’s last day on Friday - and her own as a teacher - an emotional Mrs Ainsworth said: “It’s the end of an era - and the beginning of a new one.

“Yes, it’s very emotional for the pupils as well as the staff. The children have been like my little shadows - they have been following me around all week!

“We’ve noticed they’ve been a bit quiet, some have complained of things like headaches - and there have been quite a few tears. We’re like a big family so the future is going to be very different.

“As for me, I think I’m a little in shock to be honest - I just can’t believe the time has come to retire!”

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