Stourbridge school says farewell to headteacher
A school has held a socially distanced celebration to mark the retirement of a well-loved headteacher.
Dave Porter, headteacher at Belle Vue Primary School in Stourbridge, is retiring after 12 years at the school.
On Monday, July 13, staff at the school held a farewell ceremony for him.
Despite heavy downpours and social distancing, the ceremony continued under the cover of gazebos in the school's grounds, where teachers reminisced about his career.
Due to social distancing rules, only staff were able to attend.
Belle Vue teacher Debbie Harper, contacted Dawn Astle, former Albion centre forward Jeff Astle's daughter, who surprised Dave with a visit to the farewell ceremony.
Dave, who is a lifelong West Bromwich Albion fan, was presented a special framed photograph to Dave and thanked him for his service to the school.
Dave has been teaching since October 1987 and has become a well-respected member of the community at the Lawnswood Road School.
Linda Scott, who works at the school, said: "We are all going to miss him ever such a lot.
"This is not the goodbye that we would have wanted to give Dave and he will be sad that the children and parents aren't part of it, but it was really lovely.
"The school cooks also prepared a cream tea with scones, cakes, cream and jam to take away.
"Our chair of governors, Emma Wilkes, who organised the celebration, also came along on the afternoon and gave a speech.
"Considering the circumstances with what has been going on the past few months and the weather it was a lovely afternoon."
Mr Marshall the schools new headteacher will take up post from September.
