John O'Gaunt bids farewell to long-standing Rita Colclough

It’s the end of an era as John O’Gaunt School bids farewell, after almost three decades, to office manager Rita Colclough.
Described by many as “the heart of the school,” for 28 years Mrs Colclough has watched pupils grow, often to become become parents themselves, or even return as teachers.
Many of them attended a surprise party held in her honour on Tuesday night.
Headteacher Sarah Brinkley said: “When I arrived I soon found she was the person to go to if you needed help or information. Rita has a quiet confidence and you know you can trust her to get on with the job. She’s been the contact point for generations of children.
“Her retirement will leave a massive gap for us but she’s trained up a fantastic team. Her legacy is that knowledge of the school and its children which has been passed down. We’ll miss her.”
A former assistant head teacher at the school, Tina Harrigan-James, said: “Rita was always an auntie figure and the heart of the school. When I started as a newly qualified teacher in 1998 she gave me confidence and wise words of advice. She was fantastic to work with.”
One former pupil at the party, 26-year-old Carrie-Ann Prictor, recalled that, when she suffered a personal tragedy, Mrs Colclough swung into action.
She said: “I had worked at the school in the kitchen and as a cleaner but moved to Bristol. Eight months ago I had twins, Ava and Freddie, born at 25 weeks. Sadly we lost Freddie and Rita organised a collection for me to help me get back on my feet.”
Born in Manchester, Mrs Colclough is an avid United supporter. She wed husband Steve in 1973 and the pair have two sons and two grandchildren.
Mrs Colclough started at the school as a technician and recalled: “I had to record television programmes and it was much harder then. Gradually I took on more and more responsibilities and eventually I became the school office manager.
“I have seen eight head teachers bring something different to the school and move it on. I have seen many teachers whose tireless dedication to educating the students has been outstanding.”
She added: “The students, despite the bad press young people receive, are mostly a joy to know and watch grow. Being part of the admin team has been a pleasure and a privilege; the support staff in a school really are a very important cog in the wheel.”
Mrs Colclough recalls pupils who went on to achieve great things including Queens Park Rangers’ striker Charlie Austin and writer and illustrator Katie Cleminson.
She now plans to travel and said: “I’m going to France in March, Greece in June and then Portugal in August with all the family. Then we plan something exciting in winter like Sri Lanka or Mexico.
“This has been a wonderful time with many happy memories and I'm very lucky to have been part of such a lovely, caring community. John O'Gaunt School is extraordinarily special and the whole school community - the students, the parents and the staff - is what makes it so.
“I look forward to watching the school grow. If I had a wish, it would be that parents don't make a judgement about it until they have been through the door and seen it in action.”
Mrs Colclough officially retires tomorrow (Friday).