Earlier this month, Joanna Matthews and Judy Lewin from the Concert Tours Department travelled down to Essex to say a fond farewell to intrepid party leader, Gillian Smith, of Saffron Walden School, who is retiring after 22 years’ of teaching music.
During Gillian’s long career of teaching, she has worked tirelessly to develop the music department to become one of the finest in the south-east; leading a whopping 10 concert tours with Rayburn Tours during the period, to destinations such as Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic and Spain.
The leaving party was in full swing, where teachers past and present gathered for drinks and cakes and the student jazz band performed some lively numbers, sparking an impromptu dance from the ever energetic Gill. The head teacher gave a speech outlining Gill’s prodigious contribution to the school and Gillian spoke movingly of her pupils and her passion for teaching.
Not being one to relax, she then had to head home to pack for the following day’s tour to Geneva!
We will miss her whimsical phone calls and (occasional!) cryptic paperwork but most of all we miss her spirit, humour and dedication. Here’s hoping you keep up with the music and continue to inspire young people in the future.
Thank you Gill and good luck!