FAREWELL FROM ALLIES

A very full and emotional day for me today....

I had an early start this morning, as I was invited to attend the Allies end of year school breakfast.  It is a morning where we celebrate the end of the school year, usually share Secret Santa presents although i didn't see that happen this year, and farewell Staff that have resigned or are leaving..

I didn't get much notice,  a phone call inviting me two days previous.    I must admit it was good to see the folk again, although lots seems to have changed since I was there earlier in the year.  It sadden me to see than none of the aides attended.  There seems to be quite a division between staff - aides and teachers these days, where for the years I was there, we felt very much part of the whole staff.  

Chappy Sam has taken over organising the breakfast and she does and excellent job.  Not only is the food amazing, but she sets up the tables beautifully reflecting a wonderful Christmas dinner...

There were only two of us leaving this year, a lady that had only been there helping out and doing relief for three weeks and myself who has been employed at the school for over 25 years and has volunteers for an extra 8 years before that, so in total have been involved in the school for a massive 33 years.  It was a hard decision to make to resign, as I have always enjoyed my work there at the school and have some wonderful memories of children I have worked with.  There were some not so good memories also, which almost caused me to have a real breakdown...

But on the whole I have only worked under one incompetent Principal.  I have worked with the best and the worst and the hard times in the end only strengthen you.  There have been lots of highlights and I am pleased to say that in my final years there I  had my dream job of running the Library, just a shame that it wasn't for a little longer...

I must admit, I have had the best bosses there also, and my current BSM was one of the best humans you could ever wish to meet.  Such a happy positive person who brings out the best in people and I am happy to say that we still remain friends today.  

Both our Acting Principal and one of teachers had some wonderfully kind words to say to me... I value all their friendships and I was gifted a beautiful statement bowl and serving platter as my parting gift...

The end of another era...

Initially when I finished up I could take three years of unpaid leave.  I thought it might be handy to just keep my options open, but once Steve finished work and we headed away on our trip, I realized that regardless of what happened with Covid and the economy I really was never going to go back so I made the hard decision to pull the pin.  This school community though will always hold a very special part of my heart.  It is where all my children went to primary school and where I have spent 33 years of my life working with some amazing students and staff members, lots of them are now very dear and personal friends...