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A POPULAR member of staff who has served Gortin Primary School with distinction has retired after more than 30 years of service.
Warm tributes have been paid to Joan Hempton, who worked as a dinner supervisor, and later a classroom assistant, since 1987.
School principal, Iris Wallace, said that she had been held in high esteem and affection and the whole school community would miss her.
Mrs Wallace said, “She has contributed so much to the continued success of our school and there will always be a special welcome in this school for her.”
She said there were many tears from staff, pupils and parents as life without Joan in school began to sink in.
Such was the sense of loss that it was agreed that a guard of honour of parents and pupils should line the driveway and pathways outside the school as Mrs Hempton made her last journey home from the school as classroom assistant.
All three of her children, Alan, Gareth and Jennifer attended Gortin PS and she also found time to be an
active member of the PTA and served as parent representative on the Board of Governors for a number of years.
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