‘Parting is such sweet sorrow…’ and so it proved on Friday 11^th July as Spalding High School staff gathered for the final time with their departing colleagues: Lesley Thompson and Fiona Scott are taking well-earned retirement; Alison Louis, who has taught at the High School since 1987, is joining her husband in the family business; Lorna Todd leaves for a life in Kent; Lorna Dunleavy is to become a head of department in Peterborough and Neil Reid a head of faculty in Oakham; Caroline Payne will join Marshlands High School in Norfolk. Goodbye, too, to Catherine Stone and Debbie Town, who have so ably supported the teaching staff for many years.

It was delightful to see Tim Clark, our former Headmaster, who returned to say his goodbyes to friends and colleagues with whom he had worked for so long – can it be only a year ago since we were bidding Tim himself farewell?  So much seems to have happened since then, notably the arrival of Michele Anderson, who has already made such an impact in her short time in office and who delivered such apt, amusing and moving tributes to the ‘Dear Departing’.

Shakespeare’s oxymoron says it all – these evenings of farewell are always a poignant mix of tears and laughter and this one was no different.  Goodbye and good luck to all.

AR 

Miss Todd

Over the other side’ is the phrase coined by me and acknowledged by Mrs (bio) Waldron; used when I’m heading out of the science department and over to my pastoral office.

It is the multifaceted and unpredictable nature of my job that has been both challenging and rewarding, possibly in equal measure, over the last fifteen years. 

I arrived at SHS as a newly qualified teacher and soon became a Year 7 tutor...with a Miss Laura Adams (joining the School as a history teacher in September) in the then, 7C. 

Since then, I have enjoyed increased responsibility ranging from assistant head of upper school, Head of Curie and head of upper school , with roles in safeguarding and as line manager for Gifted and Talented (a pleasure working with you, Chief Elf).

As well as teaching science and biology to Years 7-13, I have been ‘allowed out’: Bronze D of E, World Challenge to Zambia, trips to Italy, Spain and...Hunstanton, to name only a few excursions. (Phew, moving to Kent should be a breeze). Not to mention the pantos, shows, (looking forward to Oliver!) concerts, sporting events, BBQs and wine tastings, fund raising events (eating Fairtrade chocolate), proms, cake stalls, Harvest Festival parties (notice the food theme?) and church carol services (keep the descant going, Year 10!!) that I have tremendously enjoyed.

Of course what makes SHS special is team work. Thank you to everyone (I’m on a word limit!). 

Fifteen years ago I arrived listening to a song with the advice: wear sunscreen. Today, (as a biologist and a pastoral head) I say, wear sunscreen (maybe a hat, too) and have a great summer.

Lorna Todd

Mrs Scott 

I started teaching at Spalding High School in September 2002, amazingly 12 years ago. My time teaching here has been incredibly happy.The students have been a real joy to teach; very responsive to challenges and eager to achieve success. I think it is true to say that SHS students are really supportive of the staff and respond with great generosity of heart and good humour. I think of the unfailing enthusiasm of Year 7 students as they fought the Battle of Hastings in Room 15 with cardboard axes and siblings' plastic swords! Why? To understand Harold's tactical errors on the battlefield of course! The great arm wrestling champions of Year 10 in their quest to win the box of 'Celebrations' in order to better understand the disappointment of defeat in 1918. Thank you for being such a joy to work with and I wish you all much success in the future. 

Mrs Thompson

You'll always find me in the kitchen at parties- Jona Lewie

All the best parties happen in the kitchen- or so it is said, and the tiny butler's pantry is where each day has begun and where many of my funniest, saddest and most poignant conversations have taken place. The physics prep room would also rank in the ratings!

While school is clearly no party, it has been one enormous festival of planning, preparation, fun, tears and damage limitation!! Like all great events, however, it is when it's about to end that you look back and realise what a wonderful time you've had. 

Spalding High School has taken me on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to various parts of the UK, cultural visits to Rome, Sorrento and Florence and historical visits to Ypres. Together with Miss Todd and Mrs Smalley (now teaching in Germany) I pioneered the first overseas expeditions to Zambia and Peru. Salters Chemistry Festival, the Big Bang Fair and a number of biology field trips complete the list. So my own education has continued, not least via the the wonderful SHS students who help me to enhance my computer skills and who challenge me with searching and intelligent questions.

Teaching then is not simply a job but rather a way of life; the staff and students become an extended family but when you feel yourself revolving instead of evolving it's time to bow out gracefully. So, in the words of Alice Cooper, "School's out for summer. School's out for ever"!!!!!!

Mrs Louis  

 Way back in the Summer of 1987, I remember so clearly the moment when the Headteacher at the time, Miss McClure, offered me my very first teaching post here at Spalding High School. I was obviously delighted at the prospect of teaching at such a lovely school, but coming from Yorkshire where I was used to hills, I was a little concerned at moving to such a 'flat' landscape!! I shared my concerns with Miss McClure- and her response? In a tone of voice similar to that of Joyce Grenfell she bellowed, 'Oooh Miss Briggs, once you come to Lincolnshire you'll never leave!!' She finised this bold statement with a hideous laugh like something out of a horror film!! Clearly I was even more worried at that point!!

27 years on here I am still in Lincolnshire, and most of my teaching career has been here at Spalding High!! How right she was!! It really hasn't been difficult at all being part of this wonderful school, and I have been extremely happy, feeling very much a part of a hardworking, yet friendly community. I have had the pleasure of teaching so many lovely students over the years, and working with colleagues who have been such fun to work with.

I have very mixed emotions as I come to the end of my time here. I am very excited about working with my husband in our new flower trading company and when I'm not busy with that I shall be working in Primary schools providing PE teacher training which will be something completely new! On the other hand I am also feeling sad to be leaving what has been a very rewarding and happy career here at Spalding High.

I am sure under Mrs Anderson, Spalding High will continue to prosper and I wish everyone all the very best for the future!  

Mrs Payne

 Spalding High School= Friendship, Excellence, Challenge.

Scholarship has underpinned my life now for as long as I can remember.  The years of study as both undergraduate and postgraduate has found, for the past four years, the most opulent of homes within the beautiful surroundings of the High School.  It does, in so many ways, break my heart to leave colleagues and students who have changed my life so positively and deeply.  

The English department that I have had the privilege to be attached to have been inspiring beyond measure.  At my age, (of course, a number that I am loathe to reveal) it has been an incredible revelation that I could meet individuals that will be friends  for life; parents- this department truly upholds  a dedication to this glorious subject which is second to none and your children are both blessed and advantaged because of this passion and knowledge.

To my students, both current and past, may I thank you for being amongst the most intriguing and stimulating of young people?  You have reminded me daily of my motivations to teach; I will never forget you.  Whether you are at the University of Cambridge excelling in the finer nuances of the art form, or simply using the key skills demanded within real life, my pride in you is equal and enormous.

I wish you all every success for the future, and I urge you all to remember the very wise words of Brigham Young : “You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” Ladies, go for it- the future rests with you!

Mr Reid

 The most immediately obvious feature of the School for any newcomer is the unique relationship between staff and students.  It really isn’t something that I’ve found in any of the other schools I have worked in; it was a very difficult decision for me to leave the School after a relatively short time.  I hope all the students and staff here realise how privileged they are.

On a lighter note, in my first few months it was remarkable just how many staff and students mistook me for Mr Garbett.  Even Mr Garbett’s son once chased me across the quad calling out “dad, dad” after me.  I knew I had ‘made it’ when I heard a student calling out “Mr Reid” to Mr Garbett!

I would like to think my dramatic performances as the villain in the staff pantos will be remembered.  I also have Mrs Fisk to blame for persuading me to perform 11J rap with her and I will never know how Mr Martindale was ever willing for me to cut his hair live on stage.  

Neil Reid

 Miss Dunleavy

 

I have been at SHS for four years and they have been very happy years. I remember my first day hazily- I felt at bit shell-shocked. I was told off by a member of staff who mistook me for a sixth former and I couldn't quite believe how nice all the students were. They actually thanked me for teaching them after each lesson!

Teaching at SHS made me fall in love with history, all over again. Students asked me thought provoking questions; we had heated discussions in class over the merits of Henry VIII and Cromwell. I love the enthusiasm and creativity students at SHS have. I was able to experiment with new teaching ideas and you were always willing and happy guinea pigs. I will never forget the battles we recreated with cardboard swords and lots of imagination, or the musicals on the German reformation we created. Thank you! xxx