Rest well

24th October 2025

Eight Weeks into the academic year (SJS, OHS, WHS) or ten weeks into the academic year (TRC). It’s been a long one. It’s always a tough one. But you’ve made it and the coming week will feel that bit different, whatever you are doing – be that at work, at home or on the beach.

It’s been a day to say our goodbyes to/for long standing colleagues. And for me, within a couple of hours, the two ends of the emotional spectrum.

First up was the highly charged, emotional, funny and warm goodbye, from the wider TRC staff body. The college said it’s goodbye and waved off a long-standing member of staff. That colleague had worked at the college for twenty-three years. He has made an incredible contribution to the college and its community for all of those years. Many students have benefited from his time, skill, judgement, wisdom and humour. He will also be missed by the families, as well as the students. He brought a warmth, humanity and good humour to his interactions with all. Best wishes to him in his retirement.

And at the other end of the emotional spectrum; some of our close colleagues from Oakwood High School joined the family and friends of Mrs Sue Swales to say goodbye at her funeral on Friday 24 October. Mrs Swales passed away at the beginning of the month after a long battle with illness. Mrs Swales had continued to work at the school, with the children and her colleagues, as long as she could and we all were hoping she would be back at it after the summer break. Sadly not. She didn’t make it through.

Mrs Swales had lived in our community all her life. She understood the people, our history and what it takes to shift expectations and aspirations. It was heart-warming and lovely to see so many of her/our community at the funeral; supporting Mrs Swales’ family. It really did feel like a celebration of a life well lived, and of a life lived in the right way. This year was the thirty-first year Mrs Swales worked at Oakwood High School. She touched innumerable lives; of children and of adults. It was wonderful that so many children were able to line Moorgate Road, and with a respectful and appreciative round of applause the children of the school were able to express their thanks to Mrs Swales, as the cortege passed the school on to the crematorium.

It is therefore, as a consequence of our departures today, that I go into the break with a degree of melancholy. Breaks are the time for reflection. Whilst we rest, we can find the space to think, to breathe and to consider the positive impact others have made on all of our lives. And offer our quiet thanks for the contributions made by all of our colleagues

‘The one thing I need to leave behind is good memories.’ Michael Landon