St Bartholomew's bids farewell to four long-serving staff

The end of the school year marks the end of an era for Mike Hart, Geof Wade, Geoff Lockwood and Chantal Challen, who have accumulated 133 years of teaching at the school between them.
Mr Hart joined the boys’ grammar school as a PE teacher in 1969 and served as Curnock House Head from 1983 to 2006.
Reflecting on his long career, Mr Hart said: “I will miss being a small cog in a school which has achieved so much in the 44 years that I have been here and it is that team ethic which still fills me with great pride and a sense of belonging.
Geof Wade, who was appointed in 1979 to tech science and chemistry, spent his entire 34-year teaching career in the science department at the school.
He is now intending to get involved in local conservation work, to continue with exam marking and have the opportunity to travel.
Commenting on his time at St Bart’s, he said: “I have worked alongside a fantastic group of colleagues with so many talented and interesting young people.
Geoff Lockwood, who joined the school in 1990, is also retiring from teaching, but intends to become more involved with The Society of Biology, having recently become a Fellow of the organisation.
“St Bart’s is a great school with fantastic staff and students and I will miss them. The Sixth Form in particular have been a tremendous pleasure to teach and they always give me hope for the future,” he said.
Chantal Challan, who taught French before taking on the role of Head of Spanish, has also called time on her 21 years at the school.
She said: “The beaming face of a student who learns to understand a difficult language concept; the A Level linguists who become virtually fluent in their chosen foreign language; the amusing moments in the classroom and the pleasure of witnessing students progressing are all aspects of teaching I have thoroughly enjoyed and will really miss.
The school hosted a farewell tea party to wish them all well for the future.