Memorial unveiled to much-loved Walsall school governor
A new memorial to a much loved school governor who watched over a school for 30 years has been unveiled.
Blue Coat Junior School in Walsall has unveiled an outdoor table tennis table in memory of Margaret Tonks, chair of governors at the school, who suddenly and unexpectedly died last year.
Her husband Derek attended the opening on behalf of his ‘exceptional’ wife, who school bosses paid tribute to.
She had served as a governor at the Infant and Junior schools for over 30 years as well as carrying out most of her teaching career at Blue Coat Secondary School.
A huge part of her life was devoted to the successful leadership of the Blue Coat Family of schools and she cared deeply for the educational success of all the Blue Coat pupils from birth to A-level.
After her death, a thanksgiving service was held in her memory at St. Matthew’s Church which was attended by hundreds of people.
Past pupils, families, school staff past and present as well as educational officers from the local authority and the Diocesan Board of Education all paid their respects and celebrated a very special life of achievements for others.
Collections at the service and in the community raised money, in Margaret Tonks’s memory, for a special fund to be used by the schools to benefit future generations of Blue Coat pupils.
Some of these funds have been used to purchase an outdoor table tennis table for the pupils to use at break and lunchtimes and also after school.
Executive Head, Anthony Orlik, said, ‘Margaret Tonks’s contribution to the life of these very special schools was outstanding throughout her adult life.
"It is absolutely brilliant that the Blue Coat children will continue to benefit from her legacy in such a practical and positive way.
"Enrichment activities are a key part of our provision at Blue Coat and the addition of an outdoor table tennis table to our facilities will give our pupils yet more opportunities to develop their skills and experiences.’
