Latest news with #PatriciaHampton
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
School's longest-serving member retires aged 75
A woman who worked at a school for half a century, from the moment it first opened in 1975, is finally retiring. Patricia Hampton, 75, was the longest-serving staff member and "cornerstone" at Sharnbrook Academy in Bedfordshire, attended by Olympic runner Paula Radcliffe. "I'm going to feel very strange come September. I've got a few little holiday breaks, but it will be strange to not set my alarm on 31 August," she said. Mrs Hampton said her role as reprographics manager – printing and preparing teaching resources – had bloomed in the 1980s then reduced more recently as technology developed. "Everything was done in reprographics: printing, binding, laminating etc. It was always very busy. "Two and a half years ago reprographics completely changed when photocopiers were installed around the school and staff were able to do their own copying," she said. Mrs Hampton recalled the giant Xerox copying machine the school bought in 1981. "I saw the film 9-5 which had the same copier as us – the scene with papers flying everywhere!" She said her favourite part of the job was "making sure everybody gets everything they need - just pleasing people, really". "I thought after 50 years it's time to retire, give someone else a chance. Staff are becoming more independent and doing their own stuff now." She was given a surprise send-off party in the staff room. "I've had an ex-student and drama teacher come in and it's so emotional," she said. Former colleagues took to social media to praise Mrs Hampton, recalling "the miracle-maker of reprographics". One said: "No job was too complicated. She made anything and everything happen." Principal Clare Raku said: "Pat has been an integral part of Sharnbrook since its very first day in 1975 - a presence so constant, supportive, and dependable that it's difficult to imagine the school without her. "Her quiet efficiency, good humour, and tireless commitment behind the scenes have left a lasting legacy." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. You might also be interested in Dinner lady retires after 54 years Teacher to retire after 40 years at same school Teacher's guard of honour as he retires after 51 years Related internet links Sharnbrook Academy
BBC News
19-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sharnbrook school's longest-serving staff member retires age 75
A woman who worked at a school for half a century, from the moment it first opened in 1975, is finally retiring. Patricia Hampton, 75, was the longest-serving staff member and "cornerstone" at Sharnbrook Academy in Bedfordshire, attended by Olympic runner Paula Radcliffe. "I'm going to feel very strange come September. I've got a few little holiday breaks, but it will be strange to not set my alarm on 31 August," she Hampton said her role as reprographics manager – printing and preparing teaching resources – had bloomed in the 1980s then reduced more recently as technology developed. "Everything was done in reprographics: printing, binding, laminating etc. It was always very busy."Two and a half years ago reprographics completely changed when photocopiers were installed around the school and staff were able to do their own copying," she Hampton recalled the giant Xerox copying machine the school bought in 1981."I saw the film 9-5 which had the same copier as us – the scene with papers flying everywhere!"She said her favourite part of the job was "making sure everybody gets everything they need - just pleasing people, really"."I thought after 50 years it's time to retire, give someone else a chance. Staff are becoming more independent and doing their own stuff now." She was given a surprise send-off party in the staff room."I've had an ex-student and drama teacher come in and it's so emotional," she colleagues took to social media to praise Mrs Hampton, recalling "the miracle-maker of reprographics".One said: "No job was too complicated. She made anything and everything happen." Principal Clare Raku said: "Pat has been an integral part of Sharnbrook since its very first day in 1975 - a presence so constant, supportive, and dependable that it's difficult to imagine the school without her."Her quiet efficiency, good humour, and tireless commitment behind the scenes have left a lasting legacy." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
