A POPULAR Newport head teacher retired yesterday after two decades at the helm of St Julian’s Comprehensive School.

Stephen Marshall, who has been a teacher for more than 30 years, has led St Julians Comprehensive since 1993 after joining the school as deputy head teacher six years before.

Mr Marshall, 61, left the school yesterday cheered on by more than 1,500 staff and pupils who had lined the driveway to bid him farewell.

Students, some of whom had returned to the school especially for the occasion after completing their studies six weeks ago, held up good-luck banners and chanted Mr Marshall’s name as he walked through the school gates for the last time.

Mr Marshall has been a hugely popular head and the school has achieved great academic success under his leadership.

During its last Estyn inspection the school achieved the highest grades possible, and Mr Marshall was named head teacher of the year in a secondary school at the annual Teaching Awards Wales 2010, where judges praised him as a passionate advocate for young people.

Mr Marshall said yesterday he was “absolutely overjoyed”

at the send-off the staff and pupils had given him.

He said: “This is beyond my wildest expectations. I have had fantastic students, a wonderful staff. It is the best school in the entire universe.”

Mr Marshall said he would use his retirement to “chill out”, go on holiday, and prepare for his son’s wedding.