STAFF SPOTLIGHT- MRS HELEN RADMORE
I can’t quite believe that this is the last newsletter for Roding that I will be a part of, and I thank Ms Nwankiti for giving me the opportunity to say a few words.
Friday 19th July 2024 is a date etched on my heart – the final day I walk out of Roding as head teacher and I transition into a family woman with time to give (at last!) to my husband, my three boys, their partners/wives, my 6 grandchildren and my 90-year-old mum. I am looking forward to discovering what I might be interested in beyond education and being able to enjoy developing my garden, rather than just keeping it under control. Plus, my husband (who also retires next year) and I will, for the first time ever, be able to take advantage of some cheaper holiday prices!
I have been in education for 54 years, the vast majority in Redbridge. The first 7 of those years and the last 12 in Roding – perfect bookends to my academic career.
The 12 years as the headteacher for Roding Primary School and Nursery, with Provision for Deaf Children has undoubtedly been the highlight of my career. Having my home opposite the school until I was in my mid-twenties and having spent a very happy primary education in Roding (and my secondary school was Woodbridge), the community feels like home and is very important to me. There are parents and staff who were in the youth group I ran and children whose address has been the house my Nan lived in. Roding still has the Christmas service in St Paul’s Church, which is a core childhood memory for me. For the last 12 years, it has been an absolute privilege to lead the community and an absolute delight to share the company and learn from so many wonderful children.
It is so hard to leave, but the last few years have been tough, and I know it is the right thing to do. The school is in a strong position, and we have enabled a smooth transition between headteachers and leadership (including Governors), there is a shared passion and vision and a committed and hardworking staff team.
I have loved the richness of our school community and all that every individual brings to the school. Free to Achieve speaks of all that my vision has been for the children of Roding. Every single child who walks through our doors is unique and has so much to offer the world, an offer that no other person can provide. As a school, it is our duty, responsibility, honour to recognise every child’s worth, help them to see, believe and value their uniqueness and remove any barriers to them reaching their full potential and achieving all that they can – academically, socially and emotionally. I value the pleasure that each child gives me, each smile, each brave step they take to do something they have felt nervous about, each time they have learnt something they didn’t know before, each time they have succeeded in managing their emotions/adjusting their behaviour to expectations. There is nothing better than seeing the moment a child believes that little bit more in their own value. And as I have told them – I will NEVER stop believing in them.
I am grateful to have partnered with you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with your precious, precious children. It has been an honour and a privilege to work with them – they are a delight. I have full confidence in the readiness of the school to continue its successful journey. As I have said to staff: I have done my job well because I am no longer needed! Roding will now make greater progress without me. I walk away slowly and sadly, but with excitement for the future of both my family and Roding.
God bless you all.
