A headteacher at Alumwell, Walsall, is leaving after over 40 years education service, 39 at the same school, and as she says it is finally time for her to leave the classroom after going from pupil to teacher.
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00:00So we're here at Allenwell Infant School. That's right isn't it? And um head teacher you are,
00:10what's your name? Mrs Donna Harper. Donna Harper. And um rather a special day for yourself. It's
00:16your last day. It is. Last day at the school. Yeah not just for the summer but your last day
00:22yeah. What you say you've never left school have you? From classroom to classroom yeah yeah.
00:30I mean that's some detention isn't it? You know what I mean? So how's it been miss? You've been
00:35here at this school 39? Yeah 39 and a half years. And how long working for Walsall Education? 41
00:44years for Walsall Education. 41 years yeah yeah. And was it a long time coming? 42. Was it a long
00:51time coming or did you always have like a marker in your foot right in five years that'll be the
00:55date or? No no no um no I lost my mum and dad last year and the year before. It made you yeah reflect on life
01:06didn't you? Well you're going out in style you've got a cruise booked already haven't you for
01:10next September so instead of getting ready for the start of term you'll be packing your bags.
01:15Heading off to Germany. That'll be nice yeah yeah. And um it must be difficult because I mean we can
01:22see you know it's about relationships isn't it when you're a head teacher? So how was it coming
01:28to that decision? It was very hard yeah thinking of the children and the parents and the local community
01:35they've been very good. Yeah and these three children are a little bird tells me you even
01:40taught some of their relatives? I did yes their dads and their uncles. Yeah how about that? So um it's quite
01:48interesting isn't it that different dynamic you know you've got literally tied in for the
01:52grandchildren yeah that would be a shocker. So memories over the years you've had some fun times?
01:58Well yeah yeah lots of fun times lots of celebrations and then of course there was the
02:03Covid time which was a first yeah so that was a big thing for schools. Yeah so that added that
02:12added 10 years onto you didn't it I'm sure. And um so guys do you know who's the replacement? Yeah
02:19have you been told? Yes it's an 18. Yeah and uh but you're gonna miss this one though.
02:26So well how would you describe her as a head teacher then?
02:30Strict but fair or lovely and warm or cuddly or a tyrant?
02:34Very kind sympathetic as well. Yeah
02:40Well Mandy you you came as um as a dinner supervisor yeah and then you've worked your
02:47way up to Senco? Yes that's right. Yeah yeah so you she's kind of watched you kind of along the way.
02:54Yeah so it's not just children you see kind of coming and developing and moving on is it really?
03:00And uh any particular trips that you've been on over the years or?
03:05Well it has several years every summer we take year two to the seaside. Do you? Yeah so that's
03:14been lovely. Oh that's quite unusual. I go in the sea and I can't go past the sea. Yeah and I only
03:21I only go up to just about my knees. So you're like the guinea pig for the water temperature.
03:26Yeah. Does miss go in the sea does she? Yeah. Does she? Does she scream does she scream like I do in
03:33the cold water? Did you go in the sea?
03:40Oh Abdullah.
03:52And you obviously like miss don't you cuddle up to her. Will you be sad to see her go?
03:57Will you? Yeah? What about you buddy? Will you be sad to see miss go? Yes I will. Well said well said.
04:05Well we wish you all the best in your retirement miss
04:08and thank you for all your work you've done here with the community. Thank you.