We are very sorry to say ‘So long and thanks for all the stickers’! That’s what the children of Sacred Heart said to Mrs Eileen Summerhill who retired at the end of the academic year after a teaching career spanning 38 years, 32 of which were spent teaching at Sacred Heart Primary School, Ayresome Street, Middlesbrough.

Latterly Mrs Summerhill, the Literacy Leader, has also been in charge of a new and extremely effective initiative called Reading Recovery; it is during this session that Mrs Summerhill decorated the children with lots of her special sparkly stickers.

During her years of teaching, Eileen has helped hundreds of children with their First Holy Communion preparations, and taken hundreds more children on outward bound experiences. She is known throughout the School for her love of literacy, drama and her talents at baking and cake decorating, all of which have been enjoyed by those who have worked with her. She has been responsible for many successful Christmas productions and is still working with the choir.

Mrs Summerhill will be greatly missed by all the staff and children of Sacred Heart, but we are pleased that she has agreed to keep in touch with the School.

We wish her all the best in her retirement.