Today we say goodbye to a number of teachers who are moving to pastures new but I think it is fitting and just to pick out 3 names to say a little bit about the part they’ve played in the life and success of Glebe.

Mrs Curtin: Mrs Curtin joined Glebe 30 years ago and has put her pupils first in every one of those years. She has taught 29 classes during that time and made a lasting impression on every child she has taught. On a personal note, Mrs Curtin was one of the first teachers to introduce themselves to me when I joined 20 years ago and I have to say that she is genuinely one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I have ever met. She says herself that teaching has been her life and Glebe has seen few teachers who have been as dedicated as Lesley Curtin. She has successfully led Design Technology in the past and more recent has been a leader for Science. She has been a Phase Leader, a firm but fair performance manager of other staff and has shared her practice willingly with less experienced staff. Lesley Curtin has earned her retirement and she can sit back and relax (apart from on a Wednesday when she’ll be working here!) knowing she has made a difference to nearly 1000 children during her 30 years at Glebe. Good luck, Mrs Curtin.

Mrs Joyce: Mrs Joyce has been a huge asset to Glebe School. She joined the Glebe family in 2004 as a newly qualified teacher and has risen through the ranks through sheer hard work and genuine talent. Mrs Joyce has been instrumental in helping to steer the school to where it is now and I know that I would not have got through my first two years as a Head without her unwavering support, thoughtful advice and humour. Danielle Joyce is a natural teacher and knows instinctively how children learn and what each individuals’ next step should be. She has always brought out the best in the children she has taught and I know she will be a very successful Head Teacher. Good luck, Mrs Joyce.

Mrs Went: Mrs Went is another long serving member of staff (19 years) and again joined as a newly qualified teacher and move into subject leadership and then into phase leadership. Mrs Went is unique in that she was actually a pupil at Glebe and has gone on to inspire many of our children into going into teaching. Over the 19 years she has worked with lots of members of staff and developed strong working relationships with them. Mrs Went has been pivotal in developing the practice of newly qualified teachers and other less experienced staff. She has always been selfless in sharing her ideas and advising others in bringing out the best in the children. I wish her well for the future.

In the words of Pablo Picasso:

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

I think all of the staff who are leaving us today have done just that throughout their time at Glebe and we thank you all for everything you have done for every pupil at Glebe and we wish you well for the future.

I am sure you will join me in wishing all the staff who are leaving us well on their next adventure. Thank you Miss Baines, Mr Reed, Mrs Smith, Mrs Dennis, Miss Pearce, Miss Lance, Mrs Walshe, Miss Kavanagh, Mrs Kennedyand Miss Toleon.