After 17yrs of dedicated service to Team Spen, Mrs Newbegin will be taking early retirement this summer. She'd like me to point out it is VERY early retirement!

Whilst we are sad to see her go, we share her excitement in what opportunities retirement will hold - knowing her - most of it in the sunshine.

Mrs Newbegin has been one of our most flexible friends over the last 17yrs, supporting teaching in Reception, KS1 and KS2. Never happier than when passing her passion for growing plants on to others, she has made school a brighter place to be.

More recently, she has been the KS2 poster girl for programmes to support reading, specifically for children who - like me - find/found reading tricky. I wish I had had a Mrs Newbegin to support my reading in primary school.

So it is with sadness, excitement (and a fair bit of fear about who will keep us right when looking for hi-viz jackets!) that we say the fondest of THANKYOUS and send the warmest of wishes to a much valued member of Team Spen.