It is hard to know how to say everything I want to say to you in my final Head Teacher message.
It has been the most enormous privilege to be Head Teacher of our very special school, our “big school with a big heart”. Every day, I am so incredibly proud and appreciative of our amazing pupils, dedicated and hard-working staff and governors – and the tremendous support of our whole school community.
I had wanted to be a teacher from around the age of 5, and like many children used to line up my teddies and take the register (paper registers only, of course, in those days) and dreamed of having my own classes to teach. My dream came true, when I started as Reception teacher in 1989 at Coppice First School, and went on to teach through most of the year groups at Moor Hall Primary School, until I joined New Oscott Infants in September 2000 as Deputy Head Teacher. The infant and junior schools amalgamated in 2005 and I became Deputy Head Teacher of the newly-formed primary school.
For the last 15 years, I have been extremely fortunate to have been the Head Teacher of New Oscott Primary School. As I said in my letter earlier this school year, I honestly love my job now as much as when I started all those years ago. It will be incredibly hard to say goodbye, but I hope you understand when I say that I always wanted to leave when I still had the same passion and drive and love for my job – and enough energy left for the next adventure.
I know I will miss all of the children, families and staff so much, but it makes it easier knowing that the school will continue to move forward under the excellent and highly capable leadership of Mrs Budden, supported by Miss Coleman, the wider senior leadership team and all the staff. I am excited to think about all the opportunities which lie ahead for our pupils and families as part of the Broadleaf Partnership Trust, and also with our new building and the newly-developed school site when this is opened up next year.
I have been enormously grateful for all your support for our school and for me as your child’s Head Teacher over many years. Thank you for the kind and generous words and messages over the last few weeks, in particular, as my retirement approaches. I will treasure these always, as I will my countless happy memories of our school, our wonderful children and families, and the brilliant colleagues and governors I have worked alongside.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the very best for the future, and to thank you again for all your support.
Very best wishes,
Alison Walklett
