Farewell thanks to departing head teachers

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

(l-r) June Thomas, Neil Berry, Chief Executive of Newham Joe Duckworth, Mayor Sir Robin Wales, Lynne Wells, Councillor Quintin Peppiatt, Gillian Gordon, Executive Director of Children and Young People Kim Bromley-Derry and Ian Morton.

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, hosted a reception to say thank you to the borough's head teachers for their hard work in raising standards of education.

The event at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, Royal Docks was also an opportunity to say farewell to head teachers who are retiring or leaving Newham to take up new roles. 
 
Sir Robin said: "Head teachers are pioneering year on year improvement in standards of education and attainment in our schools. Newham has the youngest population in the UK and the head teachers are dedicated to the responsibility that this brings. They do a tremendous job.”

Departing head teachers Gillian Gordon, June Thomas, Neil Berry, Ian Morton, Lynne Wells and Patrick O’Donnell were each given a fountain pen engraved with their years of service in Newham. Collectively, the heads’ years of service in Newham totalled 149.  

Gillian Gordon is retiring after teaching in Newham for 34 years, of those 13 were spent in her current role as head teacher of William Davies Primary School, Forest Gate. 

June Thomas is retiring after ten years as head teacher at Avenue Primary School, Manor Park.

Neil Berry is retiring from Brampton Manor School, East Ham after eight years as head teacher.
Ian Morton is retiring after 21 years teaching in Newham with 15 years spent as head teacher in Brampton Primary School, Beckton.

Lynne Wells is retiring after 39 years teaching in Newham with 24 spent as head teacher at Winsor Primary School, East Ham. 

Patrick O’Donnell retires after 37 years in Newham, 26 of which he spent as head teacher at Park Primary and Junior Schools, Stratford.
 

Joining the Mayor to applaud the teachers at the reception was Newham's Cabinet member for children and young people Councillor Quintin Peppiatt and Councillor Ted Sparrowhawk.