by Tim Nuttall
A collective worship and celebration assembly has been held at Roos C of E Primary School to recognise the contribution of one of its longest-serving members of staff.
Wendy Clark, a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA), was praised for her service to the school during an event that brought together members of the school community, including current and former staff, pupils and school governors.
The celebration took place on January 29, exactly 25 years to the day since she first joined the school.
Reflecting on the milestone, Wendy said: “Working at Roos Primary has made me the person I am today. I have grown so much in confidence and achieved things I never thought I would or could do. I am very humbled to have been recognised for 25 years of service. I don’t feel I have done anything special; it is just my job.
“The school ethos, ‘together we care, learn and shine’, doesn’t just apply to the children but to me as well, as I have learned so much over the years. I’ve been able to shine and I have cared for thousands of children. I am now teaching the children of children I taught years ago.”
Head teacher Aimee Christian said: “Reaching 25 years of service is a truly remarkable achievement and Wendy’s commitment to Roos C of E Primary School is something we are all incredibly proud of.
“I’ve been able to shine and I have cared for thousands of children. I am now teaching the children of children I taught years ago
“Over the years, Wendy has given so much of herself to the school, not just through the many roles she has undertaken, but through the care, consistency and dedication she shows every single day.
“Her long service reflects the close, family-like nature of our school community, where relationships matter deeply and staff feel a strong sense of belonging. Wendy is very much at the heart of that community. She knows our children, our families and our school inside out, and her presence provides reassurance, continuity and warmth for everyone she works with.
“Wendy’s contribution over the past 25 years, and the difference she continues to make to the lives of our pupils, cannot be overstated. She is a highly valued, trusted and much-loved member of our school family, and we are extremely grateful for everything she has given, and continues to give, to our school and wider community.”
Over the course of her quarter-century at the school, Wendy has undertaken a wide range of roles, including playworker, dinner lady, senior dinner lady, one-to-one emotional literacy support assistant (ELSA) and kitchen assistant, alongside her classroom responsibilities.
Before joining the school, Wendy worked as a waitress at the village’s Roos Arms pub. She later completed adult education courses and volunteered at Burton Pidsea Primary School, supporting pupils with reading and classroom activities, as well as assisting in the school kitchen, where her mother worked as the school cook. Wendy was subsequently recommended for a one-to-one lunchtime role at Roos by both the headteacher and secretary at Burton Pidsea.
Wendy attended an interview during which she met the then headteacher, Penny Farey, who offered her the position.
Recalling her early career progression, Wendy said: “After a while I was offered a dinner lady position, which I did for some time before being offered another one-to-one role alongside being a dinner lady. I then went on to complete my Level 2 Teaching Assistant training.”
After gaining her Level 2 TA qualification, Wendy gradually increased her hours and responsibilities.
“Over the years I gained more hours as a TA and took on different positions, until the present day where I am a HLTA, TA, dinner lady, playworker, ELSA, and I help in the kitchen if needed.”
Wendy has worked under three head teachers, Penny Farey, Marlene Miller and, most recently, Aimee Christian, and alongside a wide range of teaching staff, including many newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who completed their training placements at the school.
“We have had lots of NQTs complete their training with us. Many have stayed at Roos, with Mrs Christian being one of them,” Wendy added.
Wendy recalled several memorable experiences, including colour runs, parent dining events and end-of-year performances by year six pupils.
“I have lots of different memories from over the years. Things like the colour runs and getting covered in paint – such great fun!
“The dinners where parents came in to join their children, and the Year 6 end-of-year performances, including Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz and School of Rock, to name just a few.
“One memory that really stands out is when the class I was working with visited Go Ape. The children persuaded me to have a go and I completed the first level, overcoming a slight fear of heights to go down the zip wire twice!”
Another memorable occasion came during the Covid pandemic when Wendy celebrated her 50th birthday. Expecting restrictions to prevent any surprise celebrations, she was taken aback when the school community marked the milestone with a socially distanced celebration on the playground.
“Due to the pandemic, I thought I would get away with being pulled up in front of the school, but I was wrong!” she said. “The school was called out onto the playground in their ‘bubbles’ and sang Happy Birthday to me. I was so surprised. I received a card and money, which I used to buy a Pandora bracelet and a ‘50’ charm to remember the day.”
Summing up her time at the school, Wendy added: “I love working at Roos Primary. I’ve watched the school grow and develop, and I’ve seen children become strong characters over the years.
“The school has doubled in size since I first started. I’ve changed as a person through my role within the school community, and Roos feels like my other family, because I know they are always there to help me in any way they can.”