Five retiring Headteachers with more than 170 years of teaching experience between them have been given a special thank you from the Mayor of Caerphilly county borough.
Cllr David Carter welcomed the five retiring headteachers to the Mayor’s Parlour at Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Penallta House headquarters to personally thank each Headteacher for their services to education in the county borough.
Les Archard, is retiring after eight years as headteacher at The Learning Centre in Glan y Nant. He plans to spend his retirement relaxing at his smallholding after a 37-year teaching career.
The end of term will see Gaynor Anstice bring a 36-year career in teaching to a close, which includes 17 years at the helm of Greenhill Primary School as Headteacher. She plans to spend more time with her family during her retirement.
Derwendeg Primary School’s Lorraine Hunter is retiring after 12 years as headteacher. Her 35 years in teaching also saw her take on the role of headtacher at Machen Primary School for eight years. For the past 18 months she has been seconded to the Welsh Government, and she plans to carry on with her work there in the near future.
After 13 years, Chris Lewis is retiring as headteacher at Gilfach-Fargoed Primary School. During her 36 years in teaching she was also headteacher at Trinant Primary School for seven years. She plans to enjoy her retirement by travelling around the world.
Last December Isobel Davies retired after 34 years working in education. During that time she was a headteacher in Sheffield, and most recently she was headteacher at Twyn School, in Caerphilly town. She has made the most of her retirement, climbing Aconcagua Mountain in Argentina, cycling Anglesey and learning to play golf.
The Mayor also extended his thanks to retiring Cwmcarn Primary School Headteacher Gwyn Evans, who was not able to attend. He has been Headteacher at the school since 1998, and has made a major contribution to community life in Cwmcarn during his time at the school.
Cllr David Carter, Mayor of Caerphilly county borough, said: “I want to congratulate all five of our retiring Headteachers on their successful careers, and for the contribution they have made to education in Caerphilly county borough.
“I’d like to thank Les, Gaynor, Lorraine, Chris, Isobel and Gwyn for their tireless efforts and the passion they have shown in making a real difference to the lives of the children in their care. We wish them a long, happy and healthy retirement as they start this new chapter in their lives.”