“Mrs Birtles is a very lovely lady…” pupil Marvelyn Onwukamike (Year 2)
Sandra Birtles has seen her fair share of changes during her time working at Alderman Pounder Infant & Nursery School in Chilwell, and after 30 plus years of service, says she will miss the children and her colleagues as she embarks upon her retirement.
Adam Butterworth-Drury is Headteacher at the school, and he said the school will miss Sandra’s positive presence. “After over 30 years of dedicated service to the children and families of Alderman Pounder, Sandra is certainly leaving a legacy behind her as she embarks on her adventure into retirement. She has worked alongside every headteacher of the school during this time, and I think I can speak for us all when I say that it’s been an absolute privilege to work alongside her. It’s rare to meet someone who has found absolute joy and fulfilment in their job throughout their entire working life, and that alone shows how much Sandra cares about our school, the children and our community.”
Sandra says she has worked in various roles during her time at the school, finally becoming Cook working with midday staff. She said, “In the past I have even worked in the office answering the phone when needed. I have also always helped out with SEND children in the afternoons, read with children, and assisted on school trips.
“All of my own children came to the school, and many of the mums and dads of children who attend now have been pupils during my time. Even now, those parents will approach me in the shops, and we enjoy recalling times we shared at school. I would like to think I have made a difference; we have certainly had loads of fun!”
Sandra says she helped take children to swimming classes for a period, “I have strong memories of swimming. I think I went swimming for ten years and the children would ask me to test the water to see if it was cold before they got in! I really enjoyed doing that. I have so many memories particularly of the brilliant dinner staff team who worked here for many years. I have had a great time. I have worked for every headteacher and will miss everyone, particularly Sarah Brookes (Catering Manager) who I work closely with.”
Sandra says she has always loved to see children’s smiling faces, and her popularity sometimes had unforeseen circumstances. “At one time I had countless children visiting me at Halloween, -I had to buy so many sweets to hand out! Also, we went to Twycross Zoo I don’t know how many times over the years! The children would only get to the end of the road on the coach before they were asking if we were there yet! I’ll really miss the children; it’s been such a lot of fun!”
Pupil Marvelyn Onwukamike (Year 2) summed up the feelings of children saying, “Mrs Birtles is a very lovely lady as she always brings us delicious dinners. We’ll really miss her when she goes. She’s always been a great person who brings the tray to help everybody, and she always makes us smile.”
Headteacher Adam said the school community was grateful to Sandra’s service. “Mrs Birtles, we will miss you! You’ve really lived our motto of “Making a difference as we grow together”, impacting the lives of generations upon generations of children, and all of the staff you have worked with and supported. Thank you!”
