Tearful farewell for retiring staff at two of the region's schools

Tears were wiped away as fond farewells were given to retiring staff members at two of the region's schools.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Dec 2016, 13:06 GMT
Updated 29th Dec 2016, 15:29 GMT
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Newlands Primary (Normanton) school's caretaker Jenny Beach, retires after 39 years service. Reporter: Nick Frame. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: andrewbellisphotography@gmail.com Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB381a1216Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Newlands Primary (Normanton) school's caretaker Jenny Beach, retires after 39 years service. Reporter: Nick Frame. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: andrewbellisphotography@gmail.com Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB381a1216
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Newlands Primary (Normanton) school's caretaker Jenny Beach, retires after 39 years service. Reporter: Nick Frame. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: [email protected] Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB381a1216

Headteacher Christine Platts marked the end of a nine-year headship at Hendal Primary School in Kettlethorpe, and a 34-year teaching career.

Meanwhile, Jenny Bench - who has been caretaker at Newlands Primary School in Normanton for almost 40 years - finally hung up her keys.

Jenny, 69, said: “It was a difficult decision.

Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Hendal Primary school (Kettlethorpe, Wakefield) head teacher Christine Platts, retires after 30 years of teaching. Pictured: L) Deputy Head Mrs Kelly Ashton with R) Retiring Head Christine Platts. Reporter: Alex Beard. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: andrewbellisphotography@gmail.com Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB380c1216Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Hendal Primary school (Kettlethorpe, Wakefield) head teacher Christine Platts, retires after 30 years of teaching. Pictured: L) Deputy Head Mrs Kelly Ashton with R) Retiring Head Christine Platts. Reporter: Alex Beard. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: andrewbellisphotography@gmail.com Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB380c1216
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Hendal Primary school (Kettlethorpe, Wakefield) head teacher Christine Platts, retires after 30 years of teaching. Pictured: L) Deputy Head Mrs Kelly Ashton with R) Retiring Head Christine Platts. Reporter: Alex Beard. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: [email protected] Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB380c1216
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“I will miss the children, the staff and the satisfaction you get when people walk into the school and say how clean and nice it is.

“I’ve really enjoyed it here, but I’m just going to take it easy and not get up at the crack of dawn anymore,” she joked.

Meanwhile, Christine said: “I absolutely love Hendal but I feel it is the right time for me to retire.

“I am lucky to have been in the most wonderful job for over 34 years.

Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Hendal Primary school (Kettlethorpe, Wakefield) head teacher Christine Platts, retires after 30 years of teaching. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: andrewbellisphotography@gmail.com Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB380b1216Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Hendal Primary school (Kettlethorpe, Wakefield) head teacher Christine Platts, retires after 30 years of teaching. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: andrewbellisphotography@gmail.com Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB380b1216
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Hendal Primary school (Kettlethorpe, Wakefield) head teacher Christine Platts, retires after 30 years of teaching. Photographer: Andrew Bellis email: [email protected] Twitter: @SnapperAndrewB Mobile: 07885 426 523 Photo date: 16/12/16 Picture ref: AB380b1216
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“I have taught in a number of primary schools and enjoyed teaching in every one of them, but Hendal is the one which will be always be in my heart.”

Both received gifts at a final assembly at each school before breaking up for the Christmas holidays.

Related topics:Normanton