A RETIRED teacher returned to her old school to celebrate her 100th birthday with one of her former pupils.

Betty Morris marked her centenary at Brighton Girls school in Montpelier Road.

Headmistress Rosie McColl presented her with a framed image of the school’s Temple building and a book full of birthday messages from hundreds of the school’s current pupils.

One of Betty's pupils, Cynthia Hazelgrove, 86, was also there to greet her. She was taught by Betty 70 years ago in the 1950s.

Betty, who lives in the Preston Park area of Brighton, joined the school, then called Brighton and Hove High School, in 1949 and taught English.

The Argus: Betty has short, dark hair and is on the second row from the bottom (staff row) and fifth in from the left. Photo from 1959.Betty has short, dark hair and is on the second row from the bottom (staff row) and fifth in from the left. Photo from 1959.

She said: “The girls were lovely to teach although some were very naughty. I can remember Cynthia was always giggling and talking in the back row.

“It’s lovely to see her on my birthday so many years after teaching her. I have been in touch with a lot of my former pupils who have sent me cards – but then I did love teaching at the school, it was a wonderful time in my life.”

The teacher and pupil shared a warm embrace. Cynthia said that despite being one of the naughty girls at school, Betty was one of her favourite teachers.

Cynthia said: “I still can’t quite get over being allowed to call her Betty instead of Miss Reilly, as she was then. I was always getting into trouble at school, but Betty was a lovely teacher.

The Argus: Betty celebrating her birthday with former student Cynthia Hazelgrove.Betty celebrating her birthday with former student Cynthia Hazelgrove.

“I remember laughing at break time over my milk and penny bun and getting up to no good and being a bit naughty, but Betty was always very patient with us. It’s so lovely to see her back at Brighton Girls and meeting with the pupils and teachers after all these years.”

During the celebrations, Betty made sure to ask Miss McColl, also an English teacher, which Shakespeare texts the girls were being taught.

She said: “I loved teaching English and Shakespeare to the girls, particularly the Merchant Of Venice which still has so much relevance today with its messages about racism and intolerance.”

The school was informed by one of Betty's carers, whose daughter attends the school, that she was turning 100.

Miss McColl said: “We really wanted to mark the day and show her how the school has developed but also retained the sense of community that she remembers from her teaching days.

"The girls loved hearing her stories about the school.”