16
Jul
This week, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our Headteacher Emma Jackson, who is retiring at the end of this academic year after 34 years of dedicated service to education and the local community.
During her time at St Benedict’s Emma has played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s success, championing the school virtues, nurturing generations of pupils and fostering a strong sense of community.
During her long career, Emma has also held the role of Headteacher at three Primary schools – Derwent Vale Primary, St Patricks Catholic Primary School and also St Gregorys and St Patricks Infants. She has also taught at Orgill Juniors, Silloth Primary, Seaton Juniors and Seascale Primary.
Since joining St Benedict’s in 2019, Emma has overseen numerous achievements and events, including leading the school through COVID and all the challenges that arose from that, and also guiding St Benedict’s through two successful OFSTED inspections.
Reflecting on her time at St Benedict’s Emma said:
“The thing I will miss most about St Benedict’s is the people; students, my amazing colleagues and the wider St Benedict’s family. The school has been part of my life for many years and always will be.”
“There are many memories. Some of my favourite ones are when the students have made me truly belly laugh, they can be so entertaining”
“But big events of course stay with me. The biggest challenge was bringing the school through COVID. Those were extremely challenging days, but I think it is when I saw our school community at its best. The building has been a challenge. None more so that when the roof blew off, but yet again we pulled together and came through it.”
“We have had some immensely sad moments too. We lost two students in distressing circumstances, both shortly after they had left St Benedict’s. Logan and Bailey are in my thoughts every day.”
“We have been through two successful OFSTEDs together and an extremely successful Catholic inspection. I am proud and honoured to have led the team through those. I was a pupil here and to say I then became the headteacher is beyond anything I could have imagined. It has been the proudest achievement of my life.”
Chair of Governors Kayleigh Daniels paid tribute to Mrs Jackson:
“On behalf of the Governing Body, we thank Emma for her exceptional leadership and dedicated service to St Benedicts.”
“She has led with integrity, always placing the needs of our children first and seeing the dignity and potential in every person within our school community. Through her compassionate stewardship and unwavering commitment, she has shaped not only the school we are today but also laid strong foundations for the future.”
“The virtues Emma has embodied and nurtured across St Benedict’s will be her enduring legacy, one that will continue to inspire and provide a strong platform for future generations to build upon.”
“Thank you for all that you have given to St Benedict’s. We wish you a restful, well-earned retirement and every happiness in the years ahead.”
Speaking about her retirement, Emma added:
“My plans centre around my family. I will be doing some educational consultancy work, but most of my time will be spent with my partner travelling and with my four children and most importantly with my Granddaughter. She will only know me as Gran – who used to be a Head Teacher!!”
Everyone at St Benedict’s wishes Mrs Jackson a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.
