TEN members of staff have left a Crewkerne School as the year comes to an end.

The departures were addressed in the summer term edition of Wadham School’s newsletter, the Wadham Words.

The headteacher Matthew Gardner said: “With a huge sense of gratitude, we say goodbye to the following staff at the end of this school year.

“To all these valued colleagues, we wish them well for the future and thank them for their hard work for our community.

“As I end can I thank all the staff who have given so generously of their time and effort to provide so many opportunities over the year, so that students can broaden and develop their skills and experiences.”

Mr Gardner added: “Paul Prendegast has taught English this year, joining in the autumn to cover a long term absence. We are hugely grateful for his enthusiasm and immediate commitment to the school and its young people.”

The school chaplain, Tracey Hallett leaving to start her training to be a priest in the Church of England.

Mrs Hallett said: “Journeying with you all is akin to being part of a family, it has been an immense privilege and blessing wrapped up in one.

“I begin training in September to eventually become an Ordained Pioneer Minister in the Church of England.

“Friends, you have all helped me to journey into a new chapter and I will not forget what a special place Wadham is.”

Of other departing members of staff, Mr Gardner said: “Sam Gallagher has been a teaching assistant and we are grateful for the skill she has brought to that task and the help she has given to the young people of Wadham. Our best wishes go to her as she emigrates to the Middle East with her family.

“Boe Zbijowski is another teaching assistant who leaves us this year to take up a cover supervisor post at another school.”

Rosie Faulkner was the Design and Creative Arts Technician.

“Her attention to detail and artistic flair will be missed and we wish her the very best as she takes a different career route into retail,” Mr Gardner added.

“Charlotte Sneath has decided she would like to teach abroad and so will be leaving us to teach Art at an international school in Romania.

“Lesley Perry, our Student Support Worker leaves us to take up a similar and enhanced post at another school.

“Deborah Lowe leaves our PE team. Her dedication to the welfare of individual students in her care, is something that stands out when reflecting on the contribution that Debs has made to Wadham.

“Kellie Simpson left at the end of June as our Lead Teacher for Music. It is difficult to overstate the contribution that Kellie made to the life of Wadham.

“Having started her teaching career here some 35 years ago, Ms Tremaine stopped teaching a couple of years ago but continued to work with us part-time as a support member of staff, working on careers education, advice and guidance.

“We owe Cathy a huge debt and it is fitting that only in the last few days, we have been advised that Wadham has been given the national Investor in Careers award.

Stuart Shepherd, chairman of the Wadham School Governing Body, said: “Towards the end of the summer term the school received a confirmation that it had had gained an Investor in Careers Award.

“Investor in Careers is a quality standard for the management of careers education, advice and guidance.

“This really is one of the highest accolades a school can achieve, and is something the award holder can be proud of.

The IiC standard is about improving student's awareness of opportunities, raising their aspirations and working with them to ensure they achieve their full potential.”

The final member of staff leaving is Henry McNulty, who retired after 24 years at the school.

Mr Gardner said: “Henry joined Wadham in January 1992 as a teacher of French and Head of Year, roles which he fulfilled until he was appointed as Director of Learning KS5 or in old money Head of Sixth Form.

“Henry has seen countless students through GCSE, A Level and on to university. Henry has always held the best interests of the student close to his heart as the over-riding philosophy underpinning his approach to teaching and education.

“To all these valued colleagues, we wish them well for the future and thank them for their hard work for our community.”