Goodbye from Mr. Heeley
Dear all,
My final day as headteacher of Lemington Riverside has arrived and I wanted to share some final words with you all before I depart.
It has been almost 8 years since I took over the headship at your school. My aim from day 1 was to create a school that was at the heart of the community, one where children could thrive and enjoy school and a place that children, parents/carers and staff could be proud to call their own.
The journey from that first day to now has been exciting and intense. The number of families choosing our school has increased significantly from 135 in January 2019 to almost 220 today - we should all be very proud of this. Together we have created a place where every child in Lemington can thrive and succeed, no matter the barriers. Long before the Government were saying a school should be an inclusive space for everybody in its community we were doing it here - because it's the right thing to do.
We've been on adventures both locally and internationally, laughed together at the pantomime, sailed down the river Tyne and sang the Blaydon Races after the Toon won their first trophy in 70 years!
I am proud of the passionate and dedicated staff who care so deeply about your children and this community. They come to work every day and give their all to ensure that your children can thrive . Please look after them and support them - their job is not always an easy one but trust me you could not ask a more wonderful group of people to be looking after and educating your children every day.
I am particularly proud of the work we have done to completely transform our school building and outdoor spaces. Despite being built in 1909, we now have a school environment that is one that the children of 2026 and beyond can be proud to call their own. I am excited to be able to help other schools with this too in my new job.
The job of headteacher can be one of the best in the world, it also can be tough at times. I have always made every decision in what I feel are the best interests of our children - these are not always easy decisions and they don't always make everybody happy. If I could have one ask of you all as I leave it is to back Mr. Murphy and his team just as you have supported me over the years - Chris is one of the best teachers I have worked with during my 20 year career and he will make an exceptional headteacher too. He needs your help, love and support to succeed, just like I did.
Finally, to our children, the reason we do this job. Whether you're at our school now or have been in the past 8 years I would like to say thank you. It has been a privilege to be your headteacher and I hope that your primary school years will be ones that you remember and treasure for the rest of your lives.
The kind words that have been spoken and written to me since I shared that I was leaving Lemington Riverside mean so much and I am so grateful for them all. When I was growing up I dreamt of being a headteacher of a primary school - this school gave me that opportunity and I shall be forever grateful for it.
With my love and best wishes to you all for the future.
Craig x
