It's often said that the only certainty in life is change, and that's true for the team at Westburn, as we announce the departure of some members of our team at the end of this year.

Mrs Karen Cox took leave this year while she taught part-time and supported her husband Barry in their local business. For the next period, Karen has decided to focus on their family business and her children while exploring other potential opportunities in which she can use her teaching and personal skills. We wish Karen, Barry and their girls all the very best.

Mrs Susan Hawkins has been on leave for the last two years as she welcomed a third child to her young family. While Susan has been working part-time at Mind Plus and relief teaching at her local school, she has decided that the time is right for her to resign from full-time teaching to focus on other areas of her life. We extend our best wishes to Susan, Nick and their boys.

Mrs Heidi Marshall Heidi undertook refreshment leave during 2020 and 2021 while tutoring, relief teaching and undertaking a variety of other activities. Heidi has decided that relief teaching while she pursues other opportunities is the next step for her, and we look forward to continuing to welcome her as a relieving teacher in the future.

Mrs Jenny Poultney has been granted another year's maternity leave by the School Board as she spends time with her young son, Jack. Jenny will return in a part-time capacity in 2022, where she will teach one day per week in Daphne Charlton's class.

Mrs Trish Strange has taught at Westburn School for more than 30 years, most recently in a part-time capacity. Trish has decided to leave permanent employment but will continue to be available to us as a reliever. We wish her all the best for her retirement and look forward to continuing to see her as a relief teacher in future.

Mrs Louise Wylie has announced that she has won a teaching position at Darfield School. Louise lives in Darfield and has long been active in the area. We wish her all the very best for the exciting adventure that lies ahead of her in her local community.

These staff will be farewelled at an end-of-year school assembly. If COVID restrictions allow parents and community members to be present, we will provide you with details so that you can join us in thanking these teachers for their contribution to our school.

Mrs Lyn Hucklebridge has also indicated that the time has come to end her permanent employment and she will be leaving us on 11 November (Thursday of Week 4 this term), after 11 years at Westburn. While Lyn's contribution to Westburn is something that we very much want to celebrate, unfortunately, current COVID restrictions don't allow us to invite families to Lyn's farewell on 10 November, so we will be undertaking this internally. 

We know that many families will want to farewell Lyn themselves and we invite you to pop into the office (with a mask) to pass on your best wishes or to email her.

New staff

We have interviews scheduled for this weekend to replace staff members who are departing and plan to introduce the new members of our team to you in our next newsletter.