Fun farewell for top headteacher

PICNICKING, dancing the meringue, poems and pond-dipping were just some of the ways children at Bassett's Farm School marked their headteacher's retirement.

Christine Jones has been the head at the Exmouth school for 18 years and pupils and their families were invited to a picnic in the school grounds as part of a celebratory afternoon.

Bassett Farm Primary School head teacher Christine Jones at the school's picnic and fun day GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_01
Hannah Walker, eight, near the fire engine which visited GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_10
Esme Amor, four, balances on the obstacle course GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_04
Selena Hofmann, 10, dances with her classmates GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_09
Amber Jenson, 11, joins in the dancing GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_06
Ella Amor, seven, on the obstacle course GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_03
Bassetts Farm dinner lady Jane Poole enjoying the fun day GARETH WILLIAMS EE260609_GW06_02

Mrs Jones was presented with a plaque for the school's new building, named after her, and old pupils returned to read poems and stories.

A local dance teacher taught pupils the meringue and an East Devon ranger supervised a pond-dipping exercise where children discovered frogs and other pond life.

A St John Ambulance ambulance and a fire engine also paid the school a visit.

Deputy headteacher Chris Clarkson said: "Children presented Mrs Jones with special headteacher awards.

"Year 6 pupils said how caring she was and foundation pupils said she had lovely hair and a nice singing voice!

"It was a lovely day and wonderful to have so many families celebrate with us. We had great weather and there was lots of sunshine and smiles.

"We've had 18 very happy years with Mrs Jones and will miss her greatly."