Headteacher Lucy is ready for quality time off Down Under
Last updated 05:29, Friday, 16 May 2008
LUCY McCullough, headteacher of Carlisle’s first school to be specifically extended to involve the community, is emigrating to Australia.
The popular head of Petteril Bank retires at the end of term before emigrating in the autumn. She will leave after six years helping to build a site at the very heart of the community in Harraby.
Lucy plans to spend at least two years in Perth, Western Australia, but will eventually return to teaching.
Lucy, 38, said: “It will be nice just to be able to relax at home with my two boys.
“Will is two and Max is eight months – he is a proper smiley little boy.
“My husband works shifts so we have missed out on weekends together.
“We have had to put family life on hold because we have been so busy so it will be nice to be able to spend some time together.
“This will give us a chance to go away camping and things like that.
“And the place where we will be living is right next to the wine-growing region – which is fine by me.”
Funding for a new site which would contain community buildings as well as the school was secured in 2004.
More than £1.3m was spent on the project, which was funded by Sure Start and the city and county councils.
The official opening took place in October 2005 with new buildings and community facilities on the site.
Lucy has been responsible for the day-to-day running of the site since it opened.
Lucy, originally from Northamptonshire, added: “There have been lots of highlights during my time here but the best was probably the official opening. When we started the site was shabby and the buildings were not in the greatest shape.
“To open in new buildings was fantastic, and with Sure Start, the nursery and the café on the site was something special. I have enjoyed working down here – I have learnt something every day. We have had a lot of support from parents and the community and the children have been great.
“Our last inspection was very positive and I feel like I am leaving on a high.
“It has been very hard to leave and very hard to say goodbye to people. I would have never left this school to go to any other school.”
Lynda Hassall, from Sure Start South, has worked closely with Lucy since she joined.
Lynda said: “Lucy has been a crucial part of the whole site and we will miss her a lot.
“None of the site would have been possible without the support of the school and if there had been another headteacher here things could have been very different.
“Lucy and her staff have been great.”
