A Colchester primary school headteacher who has spent more than 38 years teaching in the town has announced her retirement from the role.
Claire Holmes will be leaving Monkwick Infant School at the end of this school year having started her career at nearby Cherry Tree Academy.
Having worked in local schools since 1986, and been a headteacher for 14 years, Claire said she will leave with fond memories of both the schools and the local community.
She explained: “I have always enjoyed a great relationship with parents – it is a community that takes you into their hearts and supports each other to help children do their best.
“I think because there is no community centre in Monkwick, it makes the schools even more important.
“I must also thank all the staff I have worked with over the years. I have been blessed with the best set of teachers and support staff who care so passionately about education and have such high aspirations.
“I feel very lucky to have worked in a such a special community for so long.”
Asked what she would miss the most, Claire added: “I will miss seeing the children every day. I will miss the fact they live in the moment and how they can teach us adults so much as well.”
The new headteacher at Monkwick Infants will be Lotte Cumming, the current associate headteacher at the school.
Claire will also start a new part-time role at Sigma Trust, of which Monkwick Infants School is a member.
