A teaching assistant who went “above and beyond” is leaving her primary school after 33 years.
Dawn Bullivant, 61, retired from Oxhey Wood Primary School in Oxhey Drive, Watford, on July 20, and its deputy head teacher said she will be missed.
Mrs Bullivant, described as “kind, enthusiastic and dedicated,” started on the school’s parent teacher association committee when her children attended the school.
She then became a teaching assistant and worked her way up to becoming a specialist teaching assistant.
Mikki Caplan, who has worked at the school for 10 years and is the deputy head teacher, said: “It has been amazing working with Mrs Bullivant, she has a wealth of experience, knows lots of the families and the history of the school.”
Mrs Bullivant worked with year one and two students and with school children who needed extra support in reading, maths and communication skills.
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“The children are really sad that she is leaving, she has been a constant at the school.
“She used to do the school trips with the students and taking year six away on camping trips,” said Mrs Caplan.
She added: “Everyone will remember her for going above and beyond, it has always been about the children.”
A surprise assembly was held to wish Mrs Bullivant all the best for her future and the school managed to involve her husband and two daughters without her knowing.
Mrs Caplan said: “It was a genuine surprise for her, she was in real shock when she walked in.”
The children learnt and performed Mrs Bullivant’s favourite song, Toploader’s Dancing in the Moonlight and one of the teaching assistants spoke.
“They had been a student of Mrs Bullivant and now they are a teaching assistant too, it is amazing it has come full circle,” Mrs Caplan said.
The school also thanked Mrs Bullivant for her work over the years by presenting her with a memory book of messages and photos from the students and a necklace chosen by her daughters.
Mrs Caplan said: “I would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication. We all wish her the best with her retirement.”
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