St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School

Upper Hill Street Liverpool L8 5UX Tel: 0151 709 1062 Fax: 0151 707 9367 Head Teacher: Mr. T. Kirwan 1.12.14

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am writing to let you all know officially about some significant staffing changes which will occur this Christmas, although I’m sure many of you will already have heard “on the grapevine”.

Firstly, I will be retiring at Christmas. This decision has been long in the making, and is not taken lightly, but I’ve decided to go while I’m still not too old to enjoy retirement and also to be useful in some ways in other areas of life. It’s time to let the younger ones have a go!

My fifteen years at St. Patrick’s have been probably the most rewarding of my life, and I feel privileged to have worked in such a wonderful community of people. St Patrick’s is not just any school. It is an exceptional place full of very special children and dedicated educators. It truly does, as our recent outstanding R.E. report states, embody our Mission Statement of “Peace, Love and Understanding”.

I have always valued the support and interest that you, as parents and carers, have shown in your children and how you have shared my pride in them and the school. A school cannot achieve what St. Patrick’s has done over the years without that bedrock of community spirit. I will miss everyone, but I am also confident that, with your continuing support, our strong and capable governing body will make the right decisions, and St Patrick’s will carry on delivering the best possible education and care for our children.

Also, by co-incidence, an opportunity arose for Mr Verdin to apply for the position of Headteacher at Pleasant Street School, after the recent retirement of their Headteacher. I am pleased to say that he was successful, and will take up post in January. It is a promotion which he richly deserves. He has served St Patrick’s with outstanding dedication, and we have been lucky to have had the benefit of his many excellent qualities over the last 14 years. He has been instrumental in putting the school in the strong position it holds at this important juncture, and I am sure you will join me in wishing him all the very best for his future career

A plan has already been put into place for Mrs. Lewis to step into the Headship on a temporary basis, until a permanent appointment is made. Mrs. Jones will take over as temporary Deputy Head, and three new staff will support the school on a temporary basis. I hope you will give them all your very best support in this transitional period.

My very best regards and thanks,

T. Kirwan