Leavers’ service

THE annual leavers' service for the Primary School was held in the Methodist Church and Hall. It was led by retiring headteacher Roger Williams and the programme included musical items and drama by the pupils. Hymns were accompanied by Judith Pearson on the piano and Mr Williams on guitar. Dictionaries (gifts of the Primary School Association) and photographs were given to the leavers. During the service, Mr Williams was presented with a whisky decanter, glasses and a bottle of malt whisky from parents and various gifts from the children. The previous Monday he had a retirement party at the school and was presented with a golf trolley and money from the staff, governors and friends by Judith Pearson (deputy head), who paid tribute to his work during 20 years at the school. Tributes were also paid by governors' chairman Martin Sale, Mike Simm from the local education authority, and former Walpole Highway Primary headteacher Peter Thatcher. Also present were some headteachers of the schools in the area when he started at Terrington St John and one of the governors who appointed him, Sue Clayton. A buffet supper included a giant iced fruit cake provided by village bakers and school governor Jonathan Rose. Mr Williams, 58, said it has been a time of great change with computers and Ofsted, and although taking early retirement, he will still teach one day a week in the area. His wife Anne will continue as a teacher at Terrington St John school.