AFTER 34 years' teaching, Robert Tims, headmaster at St Leonards School, is preparing to put down his chalk.
Following a successful five-year spell at the helm of the St Andrews prestigious independent school, the Cambridge science graduate is now heading across the Atlantic to a new life in Richmond, Vancouver, with his wife, Heidi.
Robert (55) came to St Leonards from Malvern College in Worcestershire in 2003 and has overseen many changes during his reasonably short tenure.
These included the successful merger of St Leonards junior and middle schools with New Park School and the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) two years ago.
Robert, an external IB examiner of many years, considers this something of a legacy.
"Apart from the American School in Aberdeen, we were the first to introduce this system in Scotland," he said.
"It's an all-inclusive sixth form qualification that caters for children moving around the world. It has really opened St Leonards up to international students looking to study in Scotland."
The outgoing head is also proud of a considerable boost in student numbers and a renewed confidence among pupils and staff. He credits much of this to an excellent team ethic, vision, flexibility and open-mindedness.
He added: "Numbers have increased from 300 to 450 over the past few years, which came about through a huge amount of teamwork.
Our children and parents are very well-respected and proud to be a part of St Leonards."
Over the years, Robert has seen many changes in schools, including the introduction of League Tables - something he thinks has 'totally trashed' education - and increased regulations on child protection, which he and Heidi see as a serious threat to teacher pupil relations.
But they have welcomed other developments such as the eradication of traditional punishments and the wider platform of subjects in which pupils can now excel.
The Tims arrived in St Andrews as newly-weds.
They first met in 1976 through the town-twinning of Havering, where Robert taught, and Ludwigshaven, Heidi's German home village. But serendipity brought them together much later when Heidi took a placement teaching English at Malvern College.
"Once married, we wanted to go to a place where we were both new. When you have been somewhere for 25 years, there is a lot of history following you around!" said Robert.
Heidi taught English during most of her time at St Leonards, but admits her biggest role was as the headmaster's wife.
She added: "That's a huge job in itself! We worked very much as a team in many respects."
Robert describes teaching as a way of life and a privilege: "You end up doing everything and you never stop learning. It's hard work but so rewarding."
And the couple, who plan to leave St Andrews on March 25, are certainly not heading for a quiet retirement.
Heidi, who has lived in Canada most of her adult life, has many connections and the couple are hoping to run a bed and breakfast establishment.
They also intend to make the most of Heidi's real estate qualification and follow property developement, alongside their continued work as IB examiners.
Robert explained: "I'm always looking for new challenges. Life moves forward.
I have been at school for a total of 51 years and its really important to try many things."
But despite obvious excitement for their imminent move, Robert and Heidi are sad to leave.
Robert added: "We will really miss the dedicated team here as well as many pupils and parents, some of whom we already consider friends.
If it wasn't for Vancouver, we would be extremely sad to be leaving Scotland. We have greatly enjoyed our association with the town and the university.
I wish new headmaster, Michael Carslaw, all the best in his new post.
He is extremely capable and qualified, with a lovely family."
Source: FifeToday 13 March 2008