Strawberries and cream in the staff room

7 July

As with every other year that school ends, there are a few teachers who are leaving the school (London is a very transient place, so it's expected that there is a certain amount of turnover from year to year). Unfortunately the end of this academic year sees quite a few people I've grown fond of leaving me. Sniff sniff. Gen is going travelling with her husband this next year to spend a bit of quality time together - lucky thing!!! Gen is one of the sweetest people on staff. She's very helpful and lovely and I enjoy her very much. She's also super handy if you break jewelry (which I have been known to do on a few occasions)! Recently she's taken up coming to fitness (which I also attend) on a Thursday after school - I think you get to know people on whole new level when you sweat with them!!

As a good-bye (after 12+ years) to all the staff here, she laid on a strawberries and cream party in the staff room after school on Tuesday. Most of the staff came to say good-bye, a testament to how missed she will be. I didn't manage to catch her in a picture (grr) but caught some of the interaction.

Starting from the back of the head in the bottom right - That's David, then Richard and Celestina, Ken, Steph and Xena (who I do fitness with on Thursdays after school). Ederin is talking to Belinda (who's face is slightly covered by a plate and Brian is in on that conversations as well. The last two back of heads that you see are Geoffry and Louisa. Sheesh - how many people!

Next table gathering is Lisa and Adelaide, Carol, Anne T, Sheila W. and Marian

The next table (and last one that I managed to get) is Tyrone, Cate, Pepe, Tesca, Kelli and Danielle (my American colleague!!)

I was on a mission to get a photo of Claire L. for some reason. She was not very willing to let me have my picture. It was an amusing game, but this is the best I got. She won't thank me for posting this picture!

Some more willing participants here, Claire O. and Mary B. (I've spoken of Claire before, but only had a picture of the back of her head ... now you have a face to go with the hair :-)