Kentish Express Ashford & District
Retirement of popular teachers who have completed total of 70 years in borough School farewell to deputy heads
sawilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk Pupils and staff at an Ashford school will bid a fond farewell tomorrow to two deputy heads who have been teaching in the borough for a combined total of more than 70 years.
Teachers Redmond Piner and Adrienne Smith are both retiring from their roles as deputy head teachers at The North School tomorrow.
Mrs Smith has been teaching at the Essella Road school for 34 years and has worked her way up from teacher to head of department, assistant head, to head of year. She has been deputy head for the past six years.
She said: “I always wanted to be a teacher, even since I was a child. I never wanted to do anything else.”
Mrs Smith trained to be a teacher at Christ Church University, in Canterbury, and taught at a secondary school in London before taking the job at the secondary school in Ashford.
“There were times when I thought maybe I should move on, but this school really grabbed me,” Mrs Smith said.
“The best thing about being a teacher is working with students – each student is different and they all have very different needs. You never know what each day will bring.
Mr Piner has been working at The North for the past 38 years, after joining in 1975.
His first role was as a geography teacher, before becoming head of department, head of faculty and now deputy head.
On becoming a teacher, Mr Piner said: “I loved the subject geography. I had great teachers at school and I wanted to pass my knowledge and enthusiasm on.”
The Kennington resident moved to Ashford from Watford when his wife, Jeanette, got a job at the Girls’ North School and he got a job at the Boys’ North School. The schools later merged in 1991 to form The North School.
The dad-of-two added: “I will miss my fellow comrades and of course the students. I plan to do a lot of walking, cycling and visit the places that I’ve taught about for so long rather than seeing.”
Mrs Smith, from Canterbury, plans to spend time on the golf course after she retires, as well as travelling and spending time with family.
The two teachers were treated to a surprise party to celebrate their retirement.
Both Mr Pi ner and Mrs Smith wished to thank all of their past and present students and all of the people and families that they have worked with.