STAFF and pupils bade a fond farewell to a much-loved, inspirational deputy headmistress last week when Sue Scaife retired after 23 years teaching at Bowes Hutchinson Primary School.
A special assembly, where gifts and cards were presented, was held to celebrate Mrs Scaife’s time at the school.
Since joining the teaching staff at the school as a class one teacher, Mrs Scaife, who was initially employed on a fixed one-year contract, has taught two generations of dale youngsters, inspiring many to take up the teaching baton.
One of her former pupils, Tabby Gillard, was inspired to go into the teaching profession and has now taken on the role as class one teacher at the school.
During the leaving assembly Mrs Scaife was presented with gifts from each class along with handcrafted cards from both key stage one and key stage two pupils featuring portraits of each of the children.
She said: “It has been an absolute pleasure and honour to teach at this school, which is so well supported by the community.”
Chair of the governors Peter Nicholls wished Mrs Scaife all the best for her retirement and presented her, on behalf of the school governors and the parochial parish council, with a watercolour painting of the school and St Giles Church by artist John Degnan.
He said: “I remember the day I interviewed her [Sue] back in 2000, it was May 26. She came on an initial fixed contract for one year. From there it has grown and grown and grown until she leaves us as deputy headmistress.
“She will be greatly missed. She has been a great teacher and so good with the children.”
Presents were also handed out by Mrs Scaife, who gave each pupil a wooden star or heart to “let their light shine with love” . She also presented the school with a magnolia tree to be planted at the school.
Following the assembly staff raised a glass of non-alcoholic fizz and enjoyed tasting a leaving cake, made by one of the children’s mothers, Rosie Seymour.
Mrs Scaife is now looking forward to a new chapter in her life and “after a pause” is thinking about exploring other interests including travel.
