Heartwarming moment, children bid ‘amazing’ farewell to retired teacher

This was the heartwarming moment a headteacher walked into her own surprise farewell party.

Joanne Starkey, or Mrs Starkey as she is known at St Paul & St Timothy Catholic Children’s School, came in on Monday morning the same way she has for 36 years.

However, today when she walked through the gates, she was surprised by every student and staff member at the school dressed in festival attire, ready to celebrate ‘JO FEST’ – an all-day celebration for her upcoming retirement.

Mrs Starkey told the Liverpool ECHO she “couldn’t believe it” as she entered through a guard of honor and spent the day in the sun as everyone in the school enjoyed the day’s festivities.

In heartwarming footage, hundreds of pupils can be seen celebrating Mrs Starkey, who was fully embraced at the festival, wearing oversized flowered glasses and a floral top.

After attending the school as a student as well as 36 years of teaching, the West Derby school knew they had to say goodbye to their beloved headmaster.

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Mrs Starkey said the day was “absolutely amazing, just wonderful”. She told the Liverpool ECHO: “I couldn’t believe it when I walked into the school this morning, all the children and staff in festive clothes lined up. It is simply wonderful. It was great to see the kids having fun. a wonderful atmosphere all day.”

Mrs Starkey has returned to work at the children’s school after her days there as a student. She started as an “early years teacher” in 1988 and became principal in 2010. She describes the school as having “such a family feel” where “people come to work here and then they don’t leave. It’s incredible”. Mrs Starkey sees St Paul & St Thomas Infant School as the “hub of the community”.

Despite there having been “a lot of changes” since her first day teaching, Ms Starkey said over her 36 years at the school, “the kids have been incredible now, as they always have been”. She added: “We have had challenges over the years but as a school we have always come together and faced these challenges. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who works here and the kids.”

When asked about her favorite memories from her time at the school, Ms. Starkey isn’t sure where to begin. She said: “My goodness! Lots and lots of memories. The staff pantomimes for the children are always a good one… over the years we have celebrated first Holy Communions on lots of different occasions.”

Caroline Limbet, who is a year 1 teacher at the school, said Mrs Starkey was the “heart and soul” of the school who “does absolutely everything for the children, parents and teachers”.

Ms Limbet, who organized the surprise celebration, adds that Ms Starkey is “still in shock that we managed to plan the whole thing without her knowing”.

Mrs Limbet said Mrs Starkey had been at the school before any of the current staff so it would be “so strange to come in September and not have her there. It’s going to be so weird. She will be greatly missed.”

Mrs Starkey said, before returning to the celebrations: “It’s going to be incredibly hard to leave, it’s been such a big part of my life but now I get to spend more time with my own family and my grandchildren.” She adds: “And also take time off, which I’ve never been able to do!”

It was clear from her time at “JO FEST” that Mrs. Starkey, in her 36 years of service, left a lasting impression on St. Paul and St. Timothy’s Catholic Children’s School. One that will surely be missed.

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