Retirement for head

- 28 April 2010

A Pembrey head teacher is set to hang up his cloak after more than 38 years in the profession.

Keith Thomas, who celebrates his 60th birthday this year, started at the primary in November 1984, and became head teacher in 1991.

He will be retiring from the school at the end of the summer term in July.

The 59-year-old, of Timsaran, told the Star he had mixed emotions about leaving his beloved role.

"I'll be turning 60 this year and feel the time is right for me to go," he said.

"I have mixed feelings about leaving, but there are lots of things to do between now and then to keep me going.

"I will probably start feeling it when I'm sitting at home in September when the new school year would start."

Reminiscing about his time at the school, Mr Thomas said it had always been a very happy place.

"The support given to the school by children, parents, governors and the community over the years has been overwhelming," said Mr Thomas.

"This is one of the reasons I will be sorry to leave."

The head said his time there had been filled with happy memories.

Some of the school's memorable successes include obtaining the Green Flag, and three successful inspections.

Its intake of pupils has also risen from 68 to 220 since Mr Thomas started — and he attributes the growing popularity to the efforts of hard-working staff.

The keen golfer and grandfather says he plans to spend his retirement with the family, catching up with odd jobs around the house and at the Ashburnham golf course, of which he is a member.

Deputy head Helen Jacob, who has been at the school since 1988, will be taking over as head teacher.

Story credit - thisissouthwales.co.uk=