Teacher retires

“On your bike” was the parting message from pupils to a teacher who has worked at a school for more than 35 years.Johan Bowers-Jolley helped get Dereham St Nicholas Junior School ready for its opening in 1972 and taught in the town for several years before that.

“On your bike” was the parting message from pupils to a teacher who has worked at a school for more than 35 years.

Johan Bowers-Jolley helped get Dereham St Nicholas Junior School ready for its opening in 1972 and taught in the town for several years before that.

And yesterday the bell rang for the final time in her lessons now she is retiring.

Special needs co-ordinator Mrs Jolley said: “The children are so sweet and nice. The staff are lovely. It's such a happy school.

“I wouldn't have stayed all this time if it wasn't. I never thought when I started all those years ago I'd still be here but the opportunities kept coming at the right time.

“It's going to be difficult leaving but children are very resilient. I'm really excited about having the chance to do different things. “You get to a point when you realise there's so much to do and if you don't start doing it now you never will. I'm going to be a grandmother for the first time in July so there's that to look forward to.”

Staff and children bought Mrs Jolley, who lives in North Elmham with her husband, her very first bike along with helmet and reflective jacket.

She said: “I can ride but I've never had a bike and the children knew that. So I'm sure I'll be spotted

riding around the streets of North Elmham.”