Headteacher Helen bids an emotional farewell to Evenwood primary

THE headteacher of a village primary school is stepping down after six years at the helm.

Emotions ran high during a special assembly at Evenwood Primary School when staff, pupils and parents said goodbye to Helen Sutherland last week.

Mrs Sutherland joined the school in September 2011 but feels the time is now right to embark on the next step in her career.

She said: “My time here has been amazing.

“It is the community feeling that you get at this school. So many people who visit the school comment on the warmth and friendliness. That is what makes this school so special.”

Reminiscing about the past six years in Evenwood, the 42-year-old said there would be lots of things she would miss dearly.

She said: “Seeing the children grow and develop has to be one of the highlights of my time here.

“People have also said that they feel the school is very much part of the community and that is a very big thing for me. Schools and children should be part of the community. It has also been about the children achieving more than they thought they could and their parents seeing that too. The staff here are fantastic.

“There are special times that I will never forget such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 when the children re-enacted the ceremony at St Paul’s Church. It was fabulous. We also did a Paralympic project in 2012 and Tanni-Grey Thompson visited the school.

“I feel very emotional about leaving. It is a big wrench to leave such a lovely community. It is just the right time to move on but I am leaving with very special memories. I am excited about my new chapter.”

Following the usual weekly celebration assembly in school, which is attended by parents on a Friday morning, staff and pupils also held a special gathering for Mrs Sutherland.

Pupils sang songs and read poems to thank Mrs Sutherland for everything she had done during her time at the school.

She said: “I love music. It just shows how well they know me.

“It could not have been more perfect for me.

“I am so grateful for the support of the whole school and the community and how I have been welcomed. It has been a real privilege. It is a stressful job but very rewarding because you are helping to shape children’s lives and their future.”

Mrs Sutherland will be taking up a new post in the new year as headteacher at Aycliffe Village Primary School.

Meanwhile at Evenwood, deputy headteacher Stacey Rand will step in as acting headteacher for the next two terms. Lindsey Vollans who is the headteacher at St Michael’s Primary School, in Bishop Middleham, will support her for two days each week. Governors will then consider a long-term arrangement.