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A caretaker has marked nearly 37 years of service at a primary school in the borough – and was thanked with a day of celebrations.

John Rowlands retired on February 9 after working at Aberbargoed Primary School since 1987.

A special assembly was held to thank him for all his hard work.

It featured a song sung by the whole school dubbed ‘Mr Rowlands the Caretaker‘.

Meanwhile, Year 6 pupils presented him with a sketch, and Year 3 pupils handed him a retirement kit.

Pupils in Years 4 and 5 wrote poems for Mr Rowlands.

Mr Rowlands also received a hamper, a card, a t-shirt signed by staff and pupils, and a Caretaker Award presented by Caerphilly County Borough Mayor Mike Adams – as well as thanks from the governors and teachers. 

Headteacher Miss Sally Everson said: “I am extremely proud to be the fifth Headteacher who has had the pleasure of working alongside you.

“No one could ask for a kinder, more supportive colleague than you. During your time with us in school, you experienced a range of highs and lows, tears and laughter. 

“You’ve been a listening ear to many colleagues and never fail to pause and take the time to share a thoughtful view of the world.” 

Miss Everson added that Mr Rowlands had “embraced change” during his tenure, from new staff to the changing community and landscape. 

She continued: “We spoke recently about how you watched peacefully from the yard the changing view of the valley as the coal tip was cleared. You watched as the diggers altered the landscape forever and redevelopment took place.

“Something that never changed in that time was you, a pillar of our community. Someone who pupils, their parents and grandparents look to for reassurance and as a true role model of a gentleman.”

Miss Everson added that Mr Rowlands has collected a “range of titles” throughout his time at the school, including being a “skip filling ninja” and a “snow plough superstar”.

The school also arranged a message from BBC and S4C nature presenter Iolo Williams. 

Miss Everson added: “We joke Mr Rowlands about the fact you can always find a missing part, locate a long lost object or find a solution to a problem we didn’t even know we had, but we really are going to miss your amazing talents.”

Mr Rowlands

Takes care of the windows,

Takes care of the floor.

Takes care of the car park

And takes care of the doors.

Takes care of the dustbins,

Takes care of the walls.

Takes care of the playground,

Takes care of the halls.

Takes care of the fixtures,

The fittings and locks,

Takes care of the toilets,

Takes care of the clocks.

Takes care of the building,

With never a fuss.

Takes care of the school,

But most of all…

Mr Rowlands takes care of us!

Year 4’s poem about Mr Rowlands