Tregoze Primary say a fond farewell to long-serving teaching assistant

Teaching assistant at Tregoze Primary School, Sue Adkin is retiring after providing support to students for 28 years.

After spending almost three decades supporting the children, families and staff at Tregoze Primary School, Sue Adkin is finally hanging up her green pen and whistle, and retiring to spend some quality time with her husband, travelling the world. 

Sue first took on the post of teaching assistant at Tregoze in 1994 when the school was newly built.

Her peers at Tregoze say throughout her tenure, she has become such an integral part of the ethos and running of the school and everyone will be extremely sad to see her go.  

Helen Tudor (Principal of Tregoze Primary School), who has worked alongside Sue for over 22 years, said: “I cannot imagine our school without her smile and constant drive in keeping everyone on their toes. I’m so pleased that she is now able to start planning some of her trips and enjoy her retirement. She has assured me, she will be back to decorate our Christmas tree and listen to children read.”

In a unique role at the primary school, Sue has worked with children across all year groups. Staff say she is equally as adept at helping children to learn through play, as she is at aiding more advanced readers to understand more complex texts.

Helen added: "Whatever the task, Sue will turn her hand to it like a pro! Her attention to detail is unparalleled: whether it’s to put flowers in the staffroom to make people smile, or to add the finishing touches that bring a display to life, Sue will think of everything."

Over the years, Sue has been dubbed the ‘Braeside Queen’ - in relation to the school’s annual residential trip.  From sorting out the messiest room, to sitting up with children who are homesick, Sue is said to always be the first to volunteer and without her, staff say many of these trips could not have gone ahead.

Helen said: "Sue is very much a team player and loves getting the staff together. Some of the most enduring memories involve barbequing in the rain at her house, including her famous 7-layer dip, the hilarious scarecrow trails and challenging music quizzes."

Sue has also successfully led four International school projects which are said to have been instrumental in building the thread of global citizenship to the lives of the children at Tregoze. She has welcomed teachers and children from over 10 different European countries to Swindon. She also enabled many children and staff to experience a cultural exchange in another country. For many of the children at Tregoze, this was their first trip abroad. 

The Tregoze team say they will be forever grateful to Sue and the impact that she has had on everyone. The team say she will be missed beyond words, and that they hope she will continue to visit.