This Christmas, we are sorry to be saying good bye to Karen Barbier and Matt Gibson. 

Karen Barbier has worked with us as a Teaching Assistant for more than two years now. Full of energy and enthusiasm, Karen has been a caring and extremely positive member of our team who is always willing to help others – children and colleagues alike. Karen has been a great support to all school activities and lives out our values with the children every day. We are sorry that she will be moving on, but Karen has a new working opportunity as a teacher in a Special School in Kendal, which is an exciting new challenge for her. Thank you Karen, and good luck!

Matt Gibson has worked with us this term as a sports coach and a teacher of PE. Matt has engaged with all of the children throughout school during PE lessons, lunchtime activities and after school clubs. He has led some school teams to off-site competitions, always with a positive attitude, good relationships and a great sense of fun. The children have really enjoyed working with Matt and he will be missed – he now undertakes his first full time teaching post at a secondary school in Barrow. Thank you, and good luck, Matt!

Earlier in the term we were sorry to say goodbye to Miss Baker, who had joined the team at Barnardo’s in Penrith and Eden. Miss Baker was a fantastic support to the children and a great colleague over many years, and we wish her every success in her new role as a family support worker. In January, we will be joined by Liz Townend who will work in Grasmere class a Higher Level Teaching Assistant.

Finally, Mrs Cookson is expecting a new baby in January. While she is on Maternity Leave, she will be much missed by Buttermere class, and we wish her good luck, health and happiness over the next few months. We are delighted that Mrs Sally Jenkinson will be helping to cover her leave, while Mrs Clark will also be working an extra day in Buttermere class to minimise disruption for the children.