Four decades at school

Thursday December 10, 2009

After 42 years working at the same school, a Fulham teaching assistant has finally packed away her books and called it a day.

Patricia King - known as Peggy - officially retired on October 9 - exactly 40 years to the day since beginning her classroom job at St John's Walham Green Church of England School, in Filmer Road.

Peggy, who will be celebrating her 80th birthday in January, first began working at St John's in 1967, taking a job as a dinner lady when her daughters Deborah and Janet were pupils at the school.

Two years later she became a full-time classroom assistant and has been enjoying every minute since.

She said: "I had a lot of mixed feelings about retiring but I'm not completely giving up. I'm going to be coming in on a Wednesday for voluntary work so I'll be around still.

"I shall carry on as long as I can and this way it keeps my interest in the school alive." Peggy, of Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, was treated to a small reception at the school on her last day in work and was presented with a photo album and a book with pictures drawn especially for her by the pupils.

In the years that Peggy, who is Fulham born and bred, has been at St John's she has seen many changes and says there has never been a dull moment.

"There have been a lot of new teachers coming and, of course, others leaving, and when we moved site about 13 years ago, that was a big change. It's fabulous how much difference that made and how good it was for the school to have a new building."

Headteacher Pauline Morozgalska said: "Peggy is an absolute treasure - a national treasure really, but for our school.

"She was working here when I started as head at the school and she's been a wonderful member of staff.

"The 42 years represent over half her life and she has devoted that to the children of St John's. She's given so much to so many people."

H&F cabinet member Councillor Sarah Gore added: "This is a fantastic achievement and shows how much Mrs King cares about her community and, in turn, what she means to everyone at the school.

"She is obviously much-loved and should be really proud at reaching such a milestone."

Now that she has retired, Mrs King has been spending more time with her seven grandchildren, who are aged between 27 and 16, and her three greatgrandchildren who are eight, five and one.

Her husband Ted passed away nine years ago.