The thought of saying goodbye to colleagues after 8 years at Carisbrooke seemed a daunting prospect when I woke yesterday morning, but once at school I felt more comfortable. It is a strange feeling both to belong to yet no longer be part of an organisation. Some of the students chatted to me about their timetables and it almost felt like old times. A few colleagues (fortunately not many) could scarcely give me eye contact. I felt for them. They just did not know what to say. Sad, I think, that we are not brought up with the capacity to deal with death or indeed with any kind of disablement. I can remember after Mum died some would cross the road rather than speak to me.
There were lots of farewell speeches. I hadn’t pre-rehearsed what I was going to say. There was a time when I would have been really nervous speaking to so many people, but yesterday the words just came to me. I told them that one thing I had learnt is that life is too short for ironing tea-towels. I also told them of the only two pieces of advice I had received as a novice teacher: 1. Don’t smile until half term. 2: Last year we had a teacher smaller than you and the kids were terrified of her.
I reassured them that I had passed on my expertise to others (Shaun and Julie) and also had brought in books for them to loan which could help.
The Head said some wonderful things about me, but one sentence sticks in my mind. I had told her the quote I wanted on the commemorative plaque: “to know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived”. She assured me it was lots of lives who were breathing easier. That made me feel warm inside.
Mary, the Head also plugged my book and I sold 3 copies plus the promise from others they would order it.
It wasn’t an easy day for me, but looking back, I am delighted that I made the effort to attend.
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