Ysgol Calon Cymru is saying goodbye to four well-respected members of staff this summer, as they prepare to leave the school ahead of the new academic year in September.

Between them, Miss Hourahane, Miss Jones, Miss MacMillan and Mrs Sharp have certainly made an everlasting contribution to the school and many of its students with a total of 117 years of dedicated service to education between them - a remarkable milestone that speaks to their commitment, care and professionalism.

With some moving on to new ventures and others set to retire, the whole community is reflecting on their impact, with headteacher Mr Powell paying tribute to the departing staff.

“On behalf of our learners, staff, governors and wider school community, I’d like to offer our heartfelt thanks to each of these colleagues,” he said.

“They have given so much to the life of the school - not just through their teaching, but through the values they’ve modelled, the care they’ve shown, and the opportunities they’ve provided to learners inside and outside of the classroom.”

Based on the Builth Wells Campus, Miss Hourahane joined Builth High School as a PE teacher back in 1986. Not only that, but she has taught various other subjects including history, IT, maths and food for 39 years. She has been a committed and versatile teacher, supporting learners across a range of subjects and stages, and will be missed by staff and pupils.

Miss Jones, a dedicated history teacher, has taught in Powys since 1996 when she joined Ysgol Trefonnen. Two years later, Miss Jones joined Builth High School and has been known by many for her subject knowledge as well as her kind and bubbly personality. She has inspired many young historians across the school and supported their love for the subject with many school history trips.

Mrs Sharp is an experienced and respected English teacher, having worked at the school for 27 years. She has played a vital role in developing students’ literacy and literature skills, supporting learners with both creativity and provision. Her presence in the department will be greatly missed.

Miss Macmillan has been a passionate teacher of Welsh, based at the Builth Campus. She has worked at the school for 23 years. She has helped inspire students with her love for the Welsh language and its culture and has supported the school’s wider work in promoting Cymraeg across the community.

Year 10 student Bronwen Beavan said: “As a current pupil at Ysgol Calon Cymru, I would like to thank all departing staff for their commitment and dedication. I feel as though I have developed as a person because of them, and I will be forever grateful for that. It will certainly be strange without those familiar faces when we return in September, but I wish them all the very best as they move on to pastures new.”

Mr Powell added: “We wish them all the very best for whatever comes next and thank them sincerely for their service to Ysgol Calon Cymru.”