CHILDREN at Harestock Primary School said their final ever “good afternoon Mrs Sankey, good afternoon everyone” as they said good bye to the school’s headteacher of the past 16 years.

Mrs Jackie Sankey has seen a total of 1,263 pupils and 94 staff members during her time as headteacher at Harestock Primary School in Winchester.

But Friday, December 16 marked her last day as their leader as she prepares to move on to “new challenges” as head of Hatch Warren Junior School from January.

Past and present staff, governors and pupils gathered for an afternoon tea on Thursday evening before their leader’s leavers assembly on Friday where tears were shed in a final poem.

Mrs Sankey was moved by a number of special surprises throughout the assembly with the children singing their own rendition of ’12 Days of Harestock’, a video compilation of goodbyes and a book full of goodbye messages on the kids’ handprints. The long time head teacher even received her own Harestock hare wearing the school’s logo.

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Mrs Sankey said: “I was overwhelmed with the number of people past and present who came to say hello and goodbye. I have been truly honoured and privileged to be head teacher of what I think is the best school in Winchester.”

Recalling her career highlights, Mrs Sankey spoke of running chess club for more than 10 years and seeing the children leave the school as fantastic players, taking the whole school to see the 2012 Olympic torch pass and creating art pieces for Hat Fair.

The headteacher leaves the school after five Ofsted inspections, with the first being only three weeks after joining the team. Jackie said: “The school will no doubt shine in their next inspection.”

It was also the final assembly for year five and six teacher, Miss Carter who is moving onto a school in Andover. She said: “The assembly was really good. Mrs Sankey has brought such a welcoming ethos. No matter who you are or where you come from you're welcome here.”

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For some like Miss Barrett, Mrs Sankey is the first and only head they’ve ever known. Miss Barrett said: “I feel so sad. I was crying in assembly. It will be a big big change. She's my first ever head teacher so she's definitely made a lasting impression.”

Other staff members have also had their children go through the school under Mrs Sankey like Alex Green, who has worked in the office for the past eight years. Mrs Green said: “She's wonderful. She brings such enthusiasm and energy and has an incredibly good relationship with the staff and the children.

Chair of governors, Miranda Woolfenden, who’s had both her children attend the school said: "She's just a tour de force with her energy, enthusiasm and the inclusive nature she brings to the school. She's just so dedicated to teaching and inspiring children. It's so significant to be able to mark the time she's had here at Harestock.”

The school will be getting a new head after Easter as the current head of Itchen Abbas Primary School, Aimee Dear, is due to take over.