July 2008 will mark the end of a remarkable career at Laxton Junior School for Headmistress Sue Thomas. Sue has been working at the independent co-educational day school for 19 years and will finally step down after a tremendous innings to Deputy Head, Mr. Potter.

After speaking to Sue, her emotions seemed mixed as she told the Chronicle:” I am excited to be starting a new phase of my life but I shall be very sad and extremely nostalgic about having worked for 19 years at Laxton Junior School and to be leaving this behind.” As an ex-pupil of Laxton Junior myself, Sue was well known for her humour and kindness to the children and staff, as well as being a passionate motivator for the children’s education, giving out key guidance.

Laxton Junior was always a fun and enjoyable environment to work in, filled with many other activities to participate in outside the classroom. Sue highlighted some of the favourite times she had at the school. The first ever school play in 1990 called ‘Blind Fate’ brought back funny memories, when Henry Vlll had to select his wives in the fashion of the classic dating show. Other highlights included the annual cross country race, starting in the new award winning building, and being conned by a former 6th form into riding the ‘White Knuckle’ ride at Disneyland, discovering how much she loved terrifying rides.

Sue acknowledged that the superb help from her colleagues over the years made the job a lot easier, thanking them for the ‘dedication’ and ‘unbelievable energy’ they had given. She went on to wish them luck in the future and exhorted them to ‘keep thinking up those brilliant ideas which keep the school alive and continually moving forward.’

The legacy Sue will leave behind in the summer will be well appreciated by future generations who walk through the doors of the school. She had special thanks for the parents, Oundle School headmasters, old and present, Governors and in particular the children being ‘full of excitement’ and ‘inspirational’. In the future Sue hopes to spend more of her time travelling, whilst still using her experience in schools doing inspections and the odd bit of consultancy work.