A HEADTEACHER who has spent her entire life involved with a Sharpness school was filled with emotion when she retired.

Jill Brookes, 58, who has been the head at Sharpness Primary School for nearly five years, had her leaving do on Friday, March 27.

Jill was formerly a teacher at the school for a decade – and before that attended the school herself as a young girl.

Despite a degree of trepidation in regards the leaving event, Jill said everything turned out for the best.

“It was really good. I was dreading it but it was probably the best I could have hoped for,” she said.

“The school is very special to me so it was a very emotional day. I had to prepare a speech – I wouldn’t have been able to ad-lib it due to the emotion.”

Reflecting on her time with fellow staff and students Jill remembers the school as being defined by its positivity.

She continued: “When I look back and think of my time at Sharpness Primary I remember it as a happy school, and every visitor that came into the building said the same.

“I always said that if I didn’t help to run a happy school that I was in the wrong position.

“I’ve been assured that I have made a positive difference to a few children’s lives. You can’t change everyone’s life but if you change a few you’ve done your job.”

Now Jill has every intention of enjoying her new freedom and using it to do the things she wants to.

She has said her retirement will offer “time to take stock” as well as the freedom to spend more time with loved ones.

“I’m planning to do a lot less, but spend time with family and friends doing things that I want to do.

“One of the things I want to do is go to more festivals – and next week a friend and I will be trying to get hold of Glastonbury tickets.”

Music is very important to Mrs Brookes and pupils and staff from the school compiled a CD of their own music as a memento.

Every student at the school performed on the CD and members of staff came together to sing Perfect Day by Lou Reed.

Staff and children at the school will miss Mrs Brookes and wish her all the best with her retirement. She lives in Sharpness with her husband. Together they have three adult sons.