SHEILA DUNN, headmistress at Holy Cross Primary School in Catford, south London, was awarded the papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal for her services to education at her retirement Mass last week. Over 400 people attended the Mass, celebrated by Charles Henderson, auxiliary Bishop of Southwark.
Miss Dunn has taught for 44 years and opened Holy Cross in 1975. She is succeeded by Maureen O'Brien of St Joseph's Primary School, Croydon, and becomes a governor at nearby Bonus Pastor, the local senior school. Speaking this week, Miss Dunn sounded reluctant to go: "It was wonderful. I shall miss it".
Meanwhile, Len Smith, headmaster at St Michael's Secondary School in Garston, near Watford, retired this week after 15 years at a Mass on Wednesday, celebrated by Cardinal Hume. Parentgovernor David Stower said: "He is a great guy who'll be sorely missed by a lot of people".