Four headteachers with a combined total of 136 years in education between them are being celebrated as they prepare to leave the profession to retire.
With national Thank a Teacher Day coming up on Wednesday, June 18, East Riding Council wants to acknowledge the dedication of the school leaders, who will step down this summer. Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education, said: “Thank a Teacher Day provides a great opportunity to say thank you to all of our dedicated teachers for their commitment to nurturing and educating pupils.
“We all know what an impact teachers have on children’s lives and futures. A special thank you to our retiring headteachers, whose leadership and vision have made a significant impact on our schools and communities. We wish you, and all retiring teachers, the very best in your well-deserved retirement.”
She added: “I’d encourage our East Riding children to say thank you to their teachers this Thank a Teacher Day.” The four headteachers – Heidi Gallagher, Chris Brown, Sarah Kay-Wood and Julie Sutherland – have been reflecting on their careers and what they are looking forward to in their retirement.
Heidi, headteacher of Eastrington Primary School, has been in education for 33 years and head at Eastrington since 2011. She said: “I always wanted to be a teacher, right from being in primary school myself.
“I have so many highlights, but I love spending Fridays teaching and being with the children. Teaching one day a week has kept the reality of life in the classroom for me, and I also enjoy celebrating the children’s achievements at our whole-school assembly each Friday. As I’ve been at the school for over 20 years, some of my former pupils are now bringing their children into nursery here.
“Another significant highlight for me was in 2010 when The National Centre for Languages used the resources I’d developed for teaching French as Tools for Schools for KS2 languages.” On providing advice to other teachers, Heidi said: “It’s important to acknowledge that the job will never be done, so don’t work day and night!
(Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
In retirement, Heidi is looking forward to becoming a grandma for the first time. “I’m also looking forward to travelling and spending more time with friends and family.”
Chris Brown, Tickton Primary School headteacher, began teaching 36 years ago, and has spent 35 of those years at Tickton. Chris said: “I wanted to be either a teacher or a physiotherapist, and when my application forms for physiotherapy got lost in the system I ended up on a teacher training programme, which I now look on as a happy accident.”
Chris described her highlight as a teacher, saying: “For me, it’s seeing the lightbulb moment children have when they’ve been struggling with something, and then it all falls into place. It’s also a privilege to see the excitement and enthusiasm on the children’s faces when they’re learning, as well as being a part of those quirky moments that pupils bring and brighten up your day.”
To others considering a career in teaching or starting out, she said: “It is challenging at times and hard work, but to be a part of children growing and developing is so rewarding. I would do it all again.”
Chris said: “I’m looking forward to throwing my alarm clock away, trying new experiences and hopefully getting to see polar bears in the wild.”
Sarah Kay-Wood is head of Market Weighton Infant School and has worked in education for 33 years, the past 23 of them spent at the infant school where she has been the head since 2010. “For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher,” she said.
“Growing up, I was always the teacher, and my poor brother was always the pupil. My mum had to buy me a real register and the same pen that my teacher used.”
She said she was “very proud” to be part of the school’s Outstanding Ofsted in 2012 and being part of a dedicated and supportive team. “No two days are the same and you are never bored.
Sarah advised other teachers to “be proud to be a teacher, speak highly of your job and of the children” and as she steps down, she is looking forward to “hanging up her working boots”, spending more time with friends and family and reconnecting with nature through walking, golfing, and time in the garden.
Julie Sutherland is executive headteacher for St Mary’s VC Academy in Market Weighton and St Mary and St Joseph VC Academy in Pocklington. She is retiring after 34 years in education.
Julie said: “I will be very sad leaving both schools after 34 years as a teacher and 32 of those years in East Riding.” She worked at St John of Beverley Primary School for eight years, before joining St Mary’s in 2001, progressing to head of the school in 2011 and becoming executive headteacher for both schools in 2014.
“I’ve been lucky to have a fantastic team in both schools, but I feel now is the time to pass the baton over,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed each new step of my career – each step brings something new and challenging, and it’s been a truly privileged career to be in.
“You have to enjoy what you do, and it’s not just about the educational journey of your pupils, but also you’re a big part of their life journey. Teachers make an impression on so many young lives.”
Julie has “a bucket list of places” she wants to visit and is looking forward to long dog walks, and time and flexibility to be with friends and family. “However, I will really miss my job and the school families.”
To celebrate national Thank a Teacher Day, children and families can send a free personalised thank you card to anyone working in an early years, school or college setting at thankateacher.co.uk
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