PART OF THE FAMILY

School bids farewell to caring Cath

Cath Dixon smiled, then wiped away a tear, when asked how she felt to be leaving her second home, Acklam Grange School, after 25 years.

It was an emotional time for Cath and her colleagues as she reflected on “an incredibly special” two and a half decades working at the school.

“It’s never been anything but a privilege to work with our young people. Their resilience never ceases to amaze me,” said Cath, 66.

“I feel very lucky and blessed to have been here and overwhelmed at everyone’s kindness.”

Joining Acklam Grange in 1997 as a teaching assistant, Cath worked with children with special educational needs before moving into a safeguarding role.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes over my time here, but the main positive is that safeguarding is the first concern for every member of staff now.

“Our job is to make sure our children have everything they need to succeed in their education.”

Cath is now looking forward to being a “good granny” to grandson Noah, who’s 18 months old, and seeing more of her son, who lives locally, and her daughter in Australia.

“While I’m still relatively healthy and able, I want to make sure I go and spend some time with my family and see some more of the world.”

She’s worked with hundreds – probably thousands – of young people over the years, each with their own place in Cath’s heart.

“I love it when I see a former student after they’ve left school and learn about their life.

“It’s amazing even to simply hear about someone’s success.”

Acklam Grange’s ethos is that the entire school is a family – it’s adorned on posters and pictures all over the building.

“It’s what the headteacher always says,” continues Cath. “You will always be part of the Acklam Grange family no matter where you go in life. Hopefully I will stay in touch.”

Deputy headteacher Lucy Gowland jokes that Cath “won’t have a choice” in that.

“She is going to be a huge, huge loss to our team. We’ve relied on her professionally, and personally. She’s the person who people go and see when they need someone.” do in blue bin? visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/recycling