| NEWS |  | | | | | | | | | | | WEST HAM | | | SOUTHEND UNITED | |
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Headteacher joins the smile-high club
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| Unique present - the pupils form a smiley face to say a surprise goodbye to headteacher Mrs Gilmore |
CHEERING children formed a smiley face formation to say a surprise farewell to their headteacher - as she flew in a plane over their playground.
Pupils from Eversley Primary, Pitsea, fashioned themselves into the eye catching pose as Cath Gilmore took part in the thrilling flyby.
The sky-high caper was a gift for Mrs Gilmore who leaves the school today after 24 years of service - 15 of them as head.
The daring mum-of-two was shocked when two colleagues bundled her into a car and drove her to a private airstrip near Orsett.
Mrs Gilmore, who lives in Billericay, said: "I was told to wear trousers that day as I was being taken to a farm!
"But as we turned off towards the airfield I knew something was going on.
"When I was told I was going up in the plane for a 12-minute trip I was excited beyond words. It was like a dream come true.
"As we flew over the school the pilot went lower and I looked down and could see all the children standing in the shape of a smiley face and waving to me. It was a very moving and emotional moment - one I'll never forget.
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| All smiles - Cath Gilmore and her son Jonathan |
"The children had been practising for ages to get it right and they had managed to keep it a total secret from me!"
The three-seat plane also jetted over Basildon's Gloucester Park where a group of Eversley pupils were taking part in a sports day event.
She said: "As we flew over the park the children were frantically waving - I was speechless."
Mrs Gilmore's son Jonathan, 18, was waiting at the airfield to cheer her on.
She added: "What a fantastic leaving present.
"It's an exciting time for me to be doing something new, but I'll miss everyone here so much."
Mrs Gilmore will be replaced by Penny Pepper.
Saturday 29th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Thames Gateway, S-O-S on 10:51am Sat 29 Mar 08
Very nice too!
Personally I would not want to fly from an airstrip that is unlicensed by the aviation regulator, and has had a few incidents in the past. I wonder if the flight was a charitable donation or was provided on a 'hire or reward' basis by the operator?
Very nice too!
Personally I would not want to fly from an airstrip that is unlicensed by the aviation regulator, and has had a few incidents in the past. I wonder if the flight was a charitable donation or was provided on a 'hire or reward' basis by the operator?
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