00:00So we're here at Allenwell Infant School. That's right isn't it? And um head teacher you are,
00:10what's your name? Mrs Donna Harper. Donna Harper. And um rather a special day for yourself. It's
00:16your last day. It is. Last day at the school. Yeah not just for the summer but your last day
00:22yeah. What you say you've never left school have you? From classroom to classroom yeah yeah.
00:30I mean that's some detention isn't it? You know what I mean? So how's it been miss? You've been
00:35here at this school 39? Yeah 39 and a half years. And how long working for Walsall Education? 41
00:44years for Walsall Education. 41 years yeah yeah. And was it a long time coming? 42. Was it a long
00:51time coming or did you always have like a marker in your foot right in five years that'll be the
00:55date or? No no no um no I lost my mum and dad last year and the year before. It made you yeah reflect on life
01:06didn't you? Well you're going out in style you've got a cruise booked already haven't you for
01:10next September so instead of getting ready for the start of term you'll be packing your bags.
01:15Heading off to Germany. That'll be nice yeah yeah. And um it must be difficult because I mean we can
01:22see you know it's about relationships isn't it when you're a head teacher? So how was it coming
01:28to that decision? It was very hard yeah thinking of the children and the parents and the local community
01:35they've been very good. Yeah and these three children are a little bird tells me you even
01:40taught some of their relatives? I did yes their dads and their uncles. Yeah how about that? So um it's quite
01:48interesting isn't it that different dynamic you know you've got literally tied in for the
01:52grandchildren yeah that would be a shocker. So memories over the years you've had some fun times?
01:58Well yeah yeah lots of fun times lots of celebrations and then of course there was the
02:03Covid time which was a first yeah so that was a big thing for schools. Yeah so that added that
02:12added 10 years onto you didn't it I'm sure. And um so guys do you know who's the replacement? Yeah
02:19have you been told? Yes it's an 18. Yeah and uh but you're gonna miss this one though.
02:26So well how would you describe her as a head teacher then?
02:30Strict but fair or lovely and warm or cuddly or a tyrant?
02:34Very kind sympathetic as well. Yeah
02:40Well Mandy you you came as um as a dinner supervisor yeah and then you've worked your
02:47way up to Senco? Yes that's right. Yeah yeah so you she's kind of watched you kind of along the way.
02:54Yeah so it's not just children you see kind of coming and developing and moving on is it really?
03:00And uh any particular trips that you've been on over the years or?
03:05Well it has several years every summer we take year two to the seaside. Do you? Yeah so that's
03:14been lovely. Oh that's quite unusual. I go in the sea and I can't go past the sea. Yeah and I only
03:21I only go up to just about my knees. So you're like the guinea pig for the water temperature.
03:26Yeah. Does miss go in the sea does she? Yeah. Does she? Does she scream does she scream like I do in
03:33the cold water? Did you go in the sea?
03:40Oh Abdullah.
03:52And you obviously like miss don't you cuddle up to her. Will you be sad to see her go?
03:57Will you? Yeah? What about you buddy? Will you be sad to see miss go? Yes I will. Well said well said.
04:05Well we wish you all the best in your retirement miss
04:08and thank you for all your work you've done here with the community. Thank you.
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