Teachers move on

WHEN the new school year begins in September, several long-standing members of staff will be missing from Hailsham Community College.

Some are moving on to pastures new, some are retiring and one is retiring for the second time but all will be missed by students and staff alike.

Maria Vincent, who was herself a student at the college from 1975 to 1981, has been the librarian for the last eight years. She now has a daughter in Year 11.

'I'm going to miss the students very much,' she said. 'No day is ever the same I'll miss the variety.'

Barry Ashby joined the business studies department in 1995. He has now retired, and intends to 'do a lot of walking, avoid DIY and see more of the pub'.

Catherine Pearson came to the college as an English teacher in 1996. After completing a foundation course in art and design at Brighton University two years ago, she joined the art department.

Miss Pearson is now leaving Hailsham Community College to begin a three-year degree course in illustration at Brighton University. She said: 'The students make HCC a special place.'

Head of music

Tideway School in Newhaven has found itself a new head of music in Debbie Bennett, who joined Hailsham Community College in 1994.

She said: 'I'll miss the students in my mentor group and the students I've worked with closely in extra-curricular activities.'

Tim Fox will become the new deputy head of PE at Hugh Christie in Tonbridge. He came to Hailsham a year ago.

Natalie Dashwood-Brady became a member of the PE department two and a half years ago, and leaves Hailsham Community College to become deputy head of PE at Thomas Bennett School in Crawley.

Val and Rod Avis are two of the college's unsung heroes. Val became a cleaner there 28 years ago, before her husband Rod joined 18 years later. Both have now retired and plan to catch up with DIY and gardening.

Christine Joslin, who came to the college in 1994 as head of social studies, will carry on this role at Peacehaven Community School in September.

She said: 'Hailsham students are gorgeous so warm. I'm really going to miss them. They deserve a better press.'

Other leaving staff include Claire Malan, Miriam Harley, Mrs Waterhouse, Mrs May, Mr Miller, Miss Rolfe, Mrs Chitty and, finally, Dave Hall, who has retired from the design technology department for a second time.