Ramsey: Headteacher says goodbye to the classroom (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Ramsey: Headteacher says goodbye to the classroom

10:00am Saturday 4th July 2009

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A HEADTEACHER is waving goodbye after more than 40 years.

Pat Blackwell, who has been head at Two Village Primary in Mayes Lane, Ramsey for the past five years, will be retiring next month.

The 60-year-old from Low Road, Dovercourt said she will miss the children, parents, governers and staff and will still be a part of the community.

But primary school teaching was not Mrs Blackwell’s first plan for life, she originally wanted to be a newspaper reporter or an art teacher at secondary school level.

“I did two terms support work before I went to teacher training collegeand I fell in love with primary school teaching.

“I started in teaching in September 1967 in the midlands, and my first teaching contract was in 1970.”

After moving around the country for her husbands job as a retail manager, Mrs Blackwell came to Essex in 1982.

She said: “I was at Handford Primary in Frinton-on-Sea then at Myland Primary for a year, St Andrew’s Junior School in Colchester for four years, Hawk Farm in Lexden as deputy head for eight years.

“Then in 1996 I was acting head for a term at Lexden Primary School before I moved to Frinton Primary where I was head for eight years.

“I really enjoyed it. I oversaw the building of the new school on the same site.”

In 2004 Mrs Blackwell took over as head at Two Village Primary and oversaw it’s new school build and move to Mayes Lane.

She said: “I applied for the job as I wanted to be part of my own community.

“I have absolutley loved Two Village.

“It has been a fantastic time to end my career. Five fantastic years with a really dedicated team and a very supportive community.”

She added that having Salem the cat at the school, who has now also retired to a quite home life, was a welcomed quirk to the school.

Mrs Blackwell now plans to do some travelling both abroad and in England.

She will be succeeded by Mrs Kay Wills.

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