South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon joined pupils of Preston CE Primary School, Tasburgh to say a fond farewell to headteacher Mrs Dyan McKelvey, who is retiring after 39 years’ service to the school.

The celebrations began with pupils paying their own tributes to their headteacher, including poems, plays and thoughts about Mrs McKelvey, who began teaching at the school in 1967 and who has been headteacher since 1989.

As well as gifts from each year, Mrs McKelvey was presented with an enormous doll’s house.  Mr Bacon said:

“Mrs McKelvey has devoted her entire working life to Tasburgh primary school. She has shown outstanding commitment and dedication to the school and we are greatly in her debt. 

“We place a lot of faith in schools, but it is not mainly about bricks and mortar. What we are really doing is placing our trust in wonderful teachers like Mrs McKelvey, who devote their energies and their lives to giving children the best start in life. Mrs McKelvey’s achievement is exceptional and I wish her every happiness in retirement”.

21 July 2006