CHEPSTOW'S The Dell Primary School will bid farewell to a member of staff this term who has been part of the Dell community for 25 years, first as a pupil and then as a teacher.

Mark Davies, a Year Four teacher at the school for the past nine years, first entered the Dell gates 25 years ago as a Year Six pupil, the year the school first opened.

Mr Davies said he is dreading the last day of term.

"I feel really sad at the prospect of saying goodbye," he said.

"I've had so much history with the school, and I know the last day will be a hard one."

The passionate teacher, who went on to attend Chepstow's Comprehensive, was offered a position at his old primary school just four months after graduating from the University of Wales Trinity St. David.

Dell Primary School's head teacher Steve King called Mr Davies departure an "end of an era".

"Mark has seen life here as a pupil and a student and has done enormous work with our IT department," Mr King said.

Mr Davies will be taking a promotional role with Caerleon's Endowed Junior School, taking on the role as ICT coordinator, officially titled '21st. Century Learning Leader'. The move will also place him closer to his home in Newport.

When asked about his feelings on The Dell, Mr Davies struggled to find the words.

"I want to do it justice," he said. "It is not the end of my relationship with Dell.

"I've loved working here and will miss all the pupils and staff. I know the school has a fantastic future."