A teaching assistant at a specialist dyslexic school in Lichfield has said goodbye to her pupils for the final time after almost four decades.
Helen Veszpremi has worked at Maple Hayes Hall School in Lichfield for the past 39 years as a teaching assistant, and prior to that as a boarding house parent.
Mrs Veszpremi had her final day at the school, which this year celebrates its 40th year since opening, on 12th July.
The end of term also saw the retirement of Alison Murray, who has been working for the past nine years in the school office.
The pair had a joint leaving party to mark the occasion before the school broke up for the summer holidays.
Mrs Veszpremi said she would miss the school and the pupils as they had been such a huge part of her life.
“When I started the school had only just been set up and at the time had a boarding school part to it, so I was looking after the children in evenings and every other weekend. It worked perfectly as I had a young family and could work around that.
“I was then asked if I would like to be more of a part of the day school so I worked in the library in the craft type classes and generally helped out with bits and bobs. This slowly grew to be doing a lot more.
“About 20 years ago I did a higher level teaching assistant course at Burton College, and became an assistant teacher with unqualified status.
“This meant that I was able to do handwriting and a lot of other different things with the children and help in their lessons. It really became a joy to see them improve so much over the weeks I was working with them, with their handwriting going from illegible to beautiful cursive writing and I have always shared the joy they had in it.
It really will be a sad day when I finish but I shall always be on hand if they need me in the future.
“I’m planning on spending my time looking after my mother and seeing a lot more of my grandchildren so it will be a nice change but I shall miss it,”
Helen Veszpremi
Headteacher Daryl Brown said both staff members would be missed.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside them both and have them on the team at Maple Hayes.
“They are very much loved and respected by the pupils and I know many who have left will remember with fondness having Mrs Veszpremi in the classroom with them, giving them enough support and encouragement while also allowing them to thrive and be independent, which is what we always want them to be.
“Mrs Murray, working from the office, had a pastoral and safeguarding role and supporting many pupils.
“The whole school wants to thank them for their time and commitment and we wish them all the best for the future.”
Daryl Brown
