I cannot believe that one week has now passed since I finished at St John Fisher. The saying I have been told of ‘I don’t know how I found time to work before I retired’ now seems very true! In between the rain showers we have managed to tidy our garden and plant the lovely shrubs I received as gifts. We have also been on two 8 mile walks and are hoping to do another one today – weather permitting. The extra grandparent duties have also begun!
Last Friday was a very emotional day which started when I walked into the school hall in the morning and saw the bunting hung everywhere – each individual pennant had been hand made by the children with a picture of me on one side and a message on the other. I cried, laughed and smiled as I looked more closely. I now have these at home and, after reading them all, they are now in my ‘memory box’ for safekeeping.
The fingerprint tree picture, made by everyone in school also takes pride of place on my dining room wall. It is such a special gift.
The tears never stopped at the assembly when each class performed a dance, poem or song with a little solo by Aureilia. My husband and family were sat with me and commented afterwards what a lovely celebration it had been and how fantastic the children were. Your children are amazing – you should be very proud of them. I am truly proud of my three children – two of whom are parents themselves now and, in turn, are very proud of their children – even if they are mischievous at times!
I would now just like to say an enormous ‘thank you’ to everyone for the lovely gifts, cards and messages I received. I apologise if I didn’t get chance to talk for very long to those of you who came into the church hall – there were so many visitors - some of whom I hadn’t seen for a couple of years who also wanted to catch up. I will pop into school in a few weeks to see everyone again and will come out into the playground at the end of the day to have a chat!!
Thank you once again to everyone – colleagues, children, parents and visitors – my last day at SJF will always remain deep in my heart!
Denise Battams
