“We’ll miss you, Mrs Ayton!”

WESTBURY Junior School pupils and staff have said their goodbyes to a popular school administrator who served the school for 27 years. 

Schoolchildren gave a variety of creative cards and flowers, as well as their thanks, to Caroline Ayton at a special assembly. 

Caroline started her journey with Westbury Junior School 27 years ago as a midday supervisor, before moving into the office ten years ago to become office manager. 

The school celebrated her achievements with a dedicated assembly, with the children telling her just how much she’s helped them over the years. 

Headteacher, Richard Hatt, praised the work Caroline has achieved over the years saying, “Her knowledge of the families in the community is encyclopaedic. She will know the family connections and they will all fondly remember her! 

“I have only known Caroline for 20 years and I am way behind in my understanding of the school and importantly, how it works. She cares for all the staff and looked after us all that time. Every nook and cranny of the school is known to her and what is stored there. 

“Her association with the school will carry on with her grandson starting year 3 this year and Caroline becoming clerk to the Governors. We are not trying to replace the irreplaceable, and we are so grateful she lives so close! We all have a feeling that we will be in contact!” 

As pointed out in the assembly, she had the pleasure of even looking after some of the current children’s parents as her long career comes to an end. 

Caroline has been associated with the school for over 30 years; firstly as a parent, and then helping the PTA [Parent Teacher Association] before becoming a governor, alongside her work as a midday supervisor and then office manager.  

When asked about her plans for retirement, Caroline said, “Well, I have a horse so I shall be looking after him again. It’s been full-on here; I know where and what everything is, so it will be nice to just take a step back”