Page 19 - link magazine

North primary Classical Guitar

head retires Lessons

by fully qualified teacher
FOLLOWING 36 years in the
teaching profession Laura Brierley ISM Member No 21972
has departed Catherine Wayte BA (Hons) ATCL (MusEd)
Primary School, Abbey Meads. CRB/DBS Certified
During eight years as head she Call Jan to arrange
saw the school increase from 320 your lesson
pupils to a capacity of 420. In 2010
Ofsted awarded an outstanding
grade following an inspection.
“Our vision which informed the
Ofsted report is ‘many working 01793 331450
together, striving for the best’,” said 0750 1066 717
Mrs Brierley. Laura Brierley, right, with her successor Emma Brown
“Success cannot be achieved
by one person. Catherine Wayte in a leadership position. The
Primary School is all about our headteachers in North Swindon
team, every member of staff and have a super ‘can do’ attitude based
governors, the children and parents, on mutual support, sharing and
all contributing to how we can encouragement to improve.”
improve. The end of term was particularly
“I spent 23 years as a classroom emotional for everybody at
teacher, starting at Pinehurst, then Catherine Wayte.
becoming deputy head at Penhill Mrs Brierley was presented with
and Lyneham, before a headship at an album of pictures taken during
Earl Danby’s Brinkworth. her career, an iPad Mini and a
“I was inspired by John Thomas, quilt with pictures drawn by every
my head at Pinehurst. It’s where child, coordinated by teacher Helen
I learnt to understand children Wheeler. A donation of £253 to the
in relation to their environment. link school in Burkina Faso was also
It’s been my mission to pass on made.
that legacy and I’m delighted the At a special assembly, children
governors appointed my deputy talked about their headteacher’s
Emma Brown to take the school kindness, generosity and
forward.” truthfulness.
Commenting on the state of Mrs Brierley said she felt chair of What life is all about
education today, Ms Brierley governors David Cassidy’s use of
endorsed the profound changes that the word ‘integrity’ summarised her
have taken place during her career. contribution.
“The quality of teaching and the Mrs Brierley will be spending more
work children are doing now is time with her elderly parents and
much better than when I started taking holidays with her semi-
out,” she said. retired husband.
“Yes, change has been hard She will also be offering her
work for everybody involved with outstanding leadership skills to help
education, particularly if you’re other schools improve.

A big thanks from fundraiser Poppy

POPPY Gibson from Shaw would down in Iraq in 2005.
like to thank everybody who read “The trust is so important to
about her story in families, there are
the October Link many events for
and sponsored children to take part
her to complete in,” said Poppy. “I
the Great South wanted to honour my
Run in aid of the father by running for
Forces Children’s the charity. I had so
Trust. many lovely messages
The charity from people who
supports families served with him. I’m
where a parent so proud of dad; he OPEN MORNING
has been killed obviously meant so Sat 7 March 2015
during military much to many people
service. Her beyond our family.” 9.30am-12noon
father, Flight n The Forces Children’s An Education for Life
Sergeant Mark Gibson, died when Trust received a Sun newspaper www.thepriorfoundation.com
the Hercules he was on was shot Military Award ‘Millie’ in December.
swindonlink.com n January 2015 19