Send-off for head goes with a bang (From Free Press Series)

Send-off for head goes with a bang

RETIRING after 21 years as head teacher of Osbaston Infants School, Mrs Brettle may have thought she had seen everything.

But instead of riding into the sunset, she went out with a bang.

Janet Brettle's fantastic send-off with the original car from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was organised by the school's Parent Teacher Association.

Mrs Brettle said: "Osbaston Infants School is a very special place filled with wonderful memories.

My departure in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a brilliant surprise and was a lovely send off - it's something that I shall remember for the rest of my life. "The children thought I was going to fly off in Chitty into the sunset!"

During the past 21 years the school has achieved two excellent inspection reports and it has raised thousands of pounds for various charities.

"All my years at the school have been fantastic. I can't single out any one occasion as a particular highlight as there have been so many," added Mrs Brettle, who intends to spend her retirement travelling the world. She said: "I've already travelled to many parts of the world and hope now to be able to travel to the many of the other places I've not seen. I see retirement as an opportunity for one great big adventure."

Mrs Brettle regards Monmouth as her home as she was educated at Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls.

After qualifying and working in London for a number of years, she returned to the area in 1979 after being appointed as the deputy head teacher at Wyesham Infants school.

"I've even recently been teaching a child of a boy that I first taught when I was at Wyesham Infants School," added Mrs Brettle.

"When I fill in Osbaston Infants School's logbook for the final time today, it will signify the end of an era as the school is also closing.

"But I do wish the new Osbaston Primary School the very best in the future and hope that it can build on the foundations that we have laid over many years.

"I've had a very rewarding teaching career, which has spanned 39 years. The children have been absolutely delightful and I've received wonderful support from governors, colleagues and parents."