Two long-serving primary school heads set to retire

After both dedicating large portions of their careers toward teaching the children of Guernsey, primary school heads Cate Mason of St Martin’s and Linda Paley of Castel will be retiring at the end of the school year.

Taking up her post at St Martin’s in 2004, Mrs Mason has actually been employed in education since 1988, starting teaching at Forest School. Ms Paley started her Guernsey education career in 2001 as the deputy head teacher of St Andrew’s Primary, where she became the head teacher in 2009, before becoming head teacher at Castel.

Mrs Mason said it had been an ‘incredible privilege’ to work with so many staff and children over the years.

Highlights included introducing Kagan Co-operative learning, iPads in the classroom and the Unicef Rights Respecting Schools programme.

‘I am so proud of the high standards our children achieve and our school’s inclusive ethos,’ she said.

‘I will very much miss the daily buzz of school, the children, parents and the staff – it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to this wonderful school family.’

Her plans for the future include spending more time with her extended family, ‘adventurous’ travelling, when Covid allows, and becoming a counsellor as she undergoes a new career path.

Ms Paley said it had been an ‘absolute privilege to work with such amazing and dedicated staff teams’ at both St Andrew’s and Castel.

‘Both schools, though very different, have had a strong sense of community and I have been so proud of the way the whole school communities have come together – St Andrew’s throughout the challenges of closures and Castel through the recent challenges of lockdown,’ she said.

‘However, for me personally the best part of the job has been the opportunity to help shape the lives of so many children over the years and to see them grow and develop into confident individuals who contribute to our community.

‘It will certainly be the children I miss the most when I retire, though I will enjoy the summer term and ensure that the school is in the best place possible for the new incumbent.’

Education, Sport & Culture president Andrea Dudley-Owen paid tribute to them both.

She said they had helped create strong communities around their schools and would be missed by many.

‘Both Cate and Linda have contributed enormous amounts to the education sector in Guernsey,’ she said. ‘The quality of their leadership at both of their schools is reflected in their popularity with their school communities and their staff. There is no doubt that they will be missed by all, but I also wish them well in whatever their futures may hold, and thank them for the time they have given to educating generations of the Bailiwick’s children.’

Advertising for replacements at both schools will begin shortly.