Eileen Smith - Retirement of our Deputy Headteacher
Jul 17, 2014 5:59:28 GMT
Post by Joe White on Jul 17, 2014 5:59:28 GMT
Hello parents and carers.
As you are no doubt aware, Eileen Smith retires from our school today.
Eileen has been the Deputy Headteacher of St. Anne’s School for the last 15 years.
During that time she has given unparalleled service to the school. She has constantly displayed absolute determination to allow children to succeed.
St. Anne’s is unquestionably a wonderful and vibrant school to work in – but it can also bring many challenges – and throughout her time at our school – Eileen has embraced each of those challenges and moved mountains to resolve the problems and tribulations that have come her way with dignity and character.
We are fortunate to have a highly successful school in St. Anne’s and there can be no doubt that very much of the backbone behind that success comes down to the drive that Eileen in conjunction with Paula Wilson have provided at every corner and every junction of the school’s journey and development.
Throughout the early 2000’s there was a rally cry in the nation’s politics of “Education” “Education” “Education” which at every point was matched by Eileen’s response of “higher standards”, “higher standards” and again “higher standards.”
Eileen has remained diligent and attentive to the changing world of education – and that has been a vast and substantial change even within the 15 years of her time here. She has constantly sought out clarification of the demands of the National Curriculum and ensured that the experiences the children of our beautiful school have received are of the highest standard by sharing her enthusiasm and vigour with colleagues to ensure that at every corner of the school – an agenda of “higher standards” is never far from staff’s culture of “excellence and enjoyment.”
Eileen has quite simply a “can do” attitude that overflows into her work and her dealings with every person within the school community – whether they be reluctant children who are yet to meet their potential – to parents who are anxious about issues that have cropped up in school to staff who are developing and honing their teaching skills and progressing in their career.
She is a truly dedicated school leader – with a rich passion for education as a concept and a passion for education at St. Anne’s School in particular. Eileen’s vision is, was and ever shall be “world class – ness” for St. Anne’s School – a vision I certainly share – and a vision I believe we all hold for our remarkable school.
There can be very many demands upon leadership in education. When a family hits a crisis – they are often deeply anxious – and concerned. Eileen has always been very ready to provide a listening ear and a practical way forward with the reassurances that accompany someone who deeply cares about children – loves children – and will go way above and beyond the regular call of duty to ensure that the children are subsequently feeling much better about themselves and their relationships.
Eileen is always ready to give those around her “a good listening to!!”
She has a determination to ensure children succeed – completely irrespective of whether a child is ready to embrace that success or not!!! Success will be delivered anyway!!! Ready or not!!!
As a role model and advocate for girls’ success in Maths (come to that – simply – SUCCESS (gender irrespective) at Maths) – Eileen has overseen a constant movement of attitude towards Maths excellence.
Eileen has a wonderful gift – of genuine and heartfelt dedicated spirituality. She has a personal faith which she is very ready to share and articulate – liberating others to do the same. This permeates into her personal and professional lives – and is a testament to the deeply thoughtful and caring nature that she exemplifies. Eileen’s spirituality is part of the school’s spirituality – and something which she has keenly engendered throughout her time here.
Eileen is quite simply an excellent teacher. Year after year – she succeeds with children. She is always ready to address the difficult issues that may have otherwise caused obstructions to learning – and her track record of progress with children is way in excess of that which would be expected in a single year group nationally or locally.
Constantly gathering evidence, thoughts and reflections upon the latest set of Ofsted criteria – Eileen busily scoops records of events, observations and anecdotes to the “Evidence” file – which must surely now fill a whole room!!
The “Outstanding” School status which our school enjoys is down to the dedication and single mindedness of Eileen – in conjunction, of course, with Paula Wilson and the rest of the remarkable team.
Eileen has for many years enjoyed writing. The “plays what she wrote” (sic – reference Morecambe and Wise) have for many years characterised the end of the children’s experiences at St. Anne’s School. Her quest for perfection usually meant that each performance was slightly improved upon the last – and usually final adjustments were put into place moments before the delivery of the final lines!!! It certainly kept everyone on their toes – and yet always succeeded remarkably!!
Somehow – in our school – children’s processions will never be the same again!! Eileen is truly the Queen of Processions” and has the knack of persuading children to move with a dignity and gravitas which is very rare indeed!
Surely one of our basic needs in life is to look back and feel as though we have made a difference in some way.
There can be no doubt that following a long and exemplary career – Eileen has hugely positively influenced the lives of hundreds of young people throughout West Lancashire – in obvious ways – that they will be very aware of – but actually in less obvious ways too.
Dozens of staff have also been positively directed within their careers and self development by Eileen’s diligent attention to detail and generosity of spirit.
So when Eileen asks that question of herself – she can with enormous satisfaction reflect that – actually - yes – she most certainly did make a difference. And not in a minor way – she has been a life transformer and our school has been hugely richer for her enthusiastic, dedicated, selfless service for all these years.
And for that we say – without hesitation – with humility and love…
Quite simply – but sincerely…
“Wow!!......Thank you!!”
As you are no doubt aware, Eileen Smith retires from our school today.
Eileen has been the Deputy Headteacher of St. Anne’s School for the last 15 years.
During that time she has given unparalleled service to the school. She has constantly displayed absolute determination to allow children to succeed.
St. Anne’s is unquestionably a wonderful and vibrant school to work in – but it can also bring many challenges – and throughout her time at our school – Eileen has embraced each of those challenges and moved mountains to resolve the problems and tribulations that have come her way with dignity and character.
We are fortunate to have a highly successful school in St. Anne’s and there can be no doubt that very much of the backbone behind that success comes down to the drive that Eileen in conjunction with Paula Wilson have provided at every corner and every junction of the school’s journey and development.
Throughout the early 2000’s there was a rally cry in the nation’s politics of “Education” “Education” “Education” which at every point was matched by Eileen’s response of “higher standards”, “higher standards” and again “higher standards.”
Eileen has remained diligent and attentive to the changing world of education – and that has been a vast and substantial change even within the 15 years of her time here. She has constantly sought out clarification of the demands of the National Curriculum and ensured that the experiences the children of our beautiful school have received are of the highest standard by sharing her enthusiasm and vigour with colleagues to ensure that at every corner of the school – an agenda of “higher standards” is never far from staff’s culture of “excellence and enjoyment.”
Eileen has quite simply a “can do” attitude that overflows into her work and her dealings with every person within the school community – whether they be reluctant children who are yet to meet their potential – to parents who are anxious about issues that have cropped up in school to staff who are developing and honing their teaching skills and progressing in their career.
She is a truly dedicated school leader – with a rich passion for education as a concept and a passion for education at St. Anne’s School in particular. Eileen’s vision is, was and ever shall be “world class – ness” for St. Anne’s School – a vision I certainly share – and a vision I believe we all hold for our remarkable school.
There can be very many demands upon leadership in education. When a family hits a crisis – they are often deeply anxious – and concerned. Eileen has always been very ready to provide a listening ear and a practical way forward with the reassurances that accompany someone who deeply cares about children – loves children – and will go way above and beyond the regular call of duty to ensure that the children are subsequently feeling much better about themselves and their relationships.
Eileen is always ready to give those around her “a good listening to!!”
She has a determination to ensure children succeed – completely irrespective of whether a child is ready to embrace that success or not!!! Success will be delivered anyway!!! Ready or not!!!
As a role model and advocate for girls’ success in Maths (come to that – simply – SUCCESS (gender irrespective) at Maths) – Eileen has overseen a constant movement of attitude towards Maths excellence.
Eileen has a wonderful gift – of genuine and heartfelt dedicated spirituality. She has a personal faith which she is very ready to share and articulate – liberating others to do the same. This permeates into her personal and professional lives – and is a testament to the deeply thoughtful and caring nature that she exemplifies. Eileen’s spirituality is part of the school’s spirituality – and something which she has keenly engendered throughout her time here.
Eileen is quite simply an excellent teacher. Year after year – she succeeds with children. She is always ready to address the difficult issues that may have otherwise caused obstructions to learning – and her track record of progress with children is way in excess of that which would be expected in a single year group nationally or locally.
Constantly gathering evidence, thoughts and reflections upon the latest set of Ofsted criteria – Eileen busily scoops records of events, observations and anecdotes to the “Evidence” file – which must surely now fill a whole room!!
The “Outstanding” School status which our school enjoys is down to the dedication and single mindedness of Eileen – in conjunction, of course, with Paula Wilson and the rest of the remarkable team.
Eileen has for many years enjoyed writing. The “plays what she wrote” (sic – reference Morecambe and Wise) have for many years characterised the end of the children’s experiences at St. Anne’s School. Her quest for perfection usually meant that each performance was slightly improved upon the last – and usually final adjustments were put into place moments before the delivery of the final lines!!! It certainly kept everyone on their toes – and yet always succeeded remarkably!!
Somehow – in our school – children’s processions will never be the same again!! Eileen is truly the Queen of Processions” and has the knack of persuading children to move with a dignity and gravitas which is very rare indeed!
Surely one of our basic needs in life is to look back and feel as though we have made a difference in some way.
There can be no doubt that following a long and exemplary career – Eileen has hugely positively influenced the lives of hundreds of young people throughout West Lancashire – in obvious ways – that they will be very aware of – but actually in less obvious ways too.
Dozens of staff have also been positively directed within their careers and self development by Eileen’s diligent attention to detail and generosity of spirit.
So when Eileen asks that question of herself – she can with enormous satisfaction reflect that – actually - yes – she most certainly did make a difference. And not in a minor way – she has been a life transformer and our school has been hugely richer for her enthusiastic, dedicated, selfless service for all these years.
And for that we say – without hesitation – with humility and love…
Quite simply – but sincerely…
“Wow!!......Thank you!!”