A POPULAR member of staff at Undy Primary celebrated a milestone anniversary this week.

Higher level teaching assistant, Rachelle Channing was surprised by staff and pupils with a special assembly on Monday to mark 30 years of service at the school.

Mrs Channing, 49, of Newport, received flowers, gifts, a cake and a card made by the children with their memories of her.

She said: “It was a lovely surprise and I felt very appreciated.”

Mrs Channing arrived at the school as a nursery nurse in the original school on Dancing Hill in February 1984 and last year qualified as a higher level teaching assistant.

“I have seen a lot of changes over the years and worked with many different teachers and the children have been lovely.”

“Time has flown by but it has been so rewarding and still is,” she added.