LAST week marked the conclusion to a chapter in Dunfermline's history. The last children to study at the current Dunfermline High School building left for their summer holidays and are set to return to a brand spanking new building, complete with coffee bar, amphitheatre and balcony. But no totem pole. I wanted a totem pole.

A lot has changed since the last building was opened in 1939. The economy was in tatters after a major global recession, Russia had a mad authoritarian leader and Germany was on the brink of taking over the whole of Europe. Perhaps not so much has changed.

The school has certainly been through much change; a World War, restructuring from a grammar school to an ordinary comprehensive and the abolition of corporal punishment.

Yet throughout the last 73 years the High School has maintained its commitment not only to excellent educational standards but to cultivating the most phenomenal of people.

But it is not the building that has produced great athletes, actors and entrepreneurs.

The buildings are atrocious; I mean, have you seen J-Block?! I remember one assembly where a depute rector disappeared backstage because bits of the stage were spontaneously combusting; hardly the sign of an awe-inspiring structure.

No, it is the people of Dunfermline High School that have made it the exceptional institution it has been for the last 800 years.

Teachers are the red blood cells, infusing the building's body with life and vigour, inspiring (and, at times, terrifying) its pupils.

Mr Hutchison had "banter periods", Mr Hunter was obsessed with grammar, Mr Laurie liked puns. There is a never-ending list of fantastic teachers, each with their own idiosyncrasies.

Whilst not all pupils loved every minute of school, everybody had somebody who could inspire and tease out the potential they had.

Many went above and beyond their professional responsibilities, running highly successful extra-curricular activities.

This ensures the school's reputation, not only academically, but in sport, music, debating and drama.

Teachers are not the only important individuals to the cultivation of success at Dunfermline High School; parents have helped maintain a strong relationship with the school.

This is exemplified through the hard work of the school's Parents' Council, of which I am proud to have been a pupil representative.

In particular, gratitude must go to the tireless efforts of the deputy chair from its inception until last September, Ken Richards, a silent colossus of the school.

The new school building is a welcome development in the story of Dunfermline High School but I am sure that the influence of smart boards and dance studios cannot be half as significant as the people behind the school.

My best wishes go to Mr Blanchflower as he embarks upon a new era for the school but I must also express my thanks to all the teachers I had the pleasure to know at the old building.

In particular, thank you to Mr Hutchison, for teaching me how to think, Mr Brown for nurturing my sense of social responsibility and especially to Miss Kinnell for the endless amounts of time and encouragement. Without the people of DHS, I don't know where I would be now and I'm sure that hundreds of others could say the very same thing. Thank you.

In fact, I encourage readers to write to the Press this summer and share their memories of DHS and their favourite teachers.