Dear Parents and Carers,
I write to thank you for your outstanding support during my nine years as Headteacher at Gowerton. It is a job I have loved and been privileged to hold. I have spent 39 years working in schools and 15 years as a Headteacher and it is now time for me to take things easier. I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the number of gifts and good wishes I have received from pupils, parents and colleagues and would like to thank everyone very sincerely.
Gowerton has a long tradition and history of success in many areas and the present team continue to deliver that success in so many ways. We have, for the past four years, been in the top 16% of schools in Wales and remain a Green 1A school as judged by the Welsh Government. As well as the traditional subjects we continue to develop young sportsmen and women, musicians and artists.
The success of the school is down to our talented and respectful students, partnership between home and school and an excellent team of colleagues who work tirelessly to provide the best they can for the students in our care.
I would like to pay a special mention to three other colleagues who are also retiring in August; Mr Tom MacCarthy is a ‘legend’ who has taught the majority of parents too. Dr Melanie Lloyd has been a Teacher of History and Head of Sixth Form for 25 years. Dr Lloyd has played a huge part in leading the Sixth Form Team and worked with our Year 13 students as they move on to University and gain outstanding degree results. Finally Mrs Edwina Skinner, our Business Manager, who has managed the school premises and budget, using the meager and diminishing resources we have to work with. We have worked to make it the best learning environment possible for the students in our care.
I have been privileged to lead such an outstanding team and to have so much excellent talent to work with. I would like to thank everyone for the support from the wider community, partner Primary Schools, Gowertonians and the highly effective Governing Body led by Mrs Debbie Lloyd. The Governing Body has provided strategic direction and developed a culture where there is an expectation that Gowerton will be a high achieving school.
In conclusion I wish to welcome Mr Nigel Jones, Headteacher Designate, to the Gowerton Community. I have known Mr Jones for over 20 years and worked with him in a number of situations. I have no doubt that he will pick up the reins and under his leadership the school will go from strength to strength. I wish the school every success in the future.
With very best wishes.
wishing you a very happy retirement . So thoroughly deserved .x
Dear Peter,
I wish you well in your retirement though I suspect more hard work is just around the corner.
Thank you for the encouragement and support you gave me at Pontarddulais Comp.
The Bont will always hold a special place in my heart – the school all the more richer for the likes of you, John Radford, Peter Wilcox, Steve Cocks, Gwyneth Phillips, Greg Herdman, Jan Waldron, Nigel Jones, Richard Steer – a wonderful and inspiring rolling senior management team,
A privileged to have worked alongside you.