Loyal dinner lady retires after 26 years

A dedicated dinner lady has finished her last shift after 26 years working at a school.

Senior lunchtime supervisor Andrea Morley, 63, retired from Windmill Primary School in Upper Batley Lane, Batley, last Friday.

Mrs Morley received a special assembly on the day, during which she was presented with cards, had poems read to her and pupils performed a play.

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“It’s sad, but it’s a happy sad,” said Mrs Morley. “It’s been a long time and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. The people here are just lovely. I’m leaving for good reasons.”

The grandmother will now spend two to three days a week looking after her grandchildren with husband Clive.

“My daughter Pippa’s going back to work so I’ll be looking after the little children,” she said.

Mr and Mrs Morley will also spend time taking it easy on caravan holidays in North Yorkshire.

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Mrs Morley’s 26-year stretch at the school also involved her working as a teaching assistant for a short time.

She said: “I have happy memories of all the children growing up.

“I had a special assembly and the children put so much effort into making special things for me like cards and poems.

“They did a little play around the dinner table.”

Year Three pupils delivered the acrostic poem where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase.

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The performance included a humorous sketch where Mrs Morley would not let the youngsters have a pudding without finishing their main meal. She also received flowers and a restaurant voucher.

“I will just miss everything. I will miss the children and the people who work in the school. It’s a nice school to work for,” said Mrs Morley, of Beverley Gardens in Howden Clough.

Staff joined the retiree for a farewell meal at Roberto’s in Batley .

Windmill Primary’s advanced business support officer Angie Cookson said: “We are all really sad to see the back of Mrs Morley, 26 years is a long time.

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“She’s helped little children choose good, healthy lunches and introduced them to food they may never had tried before”.

“There was a wonderful assembly for her. The school council put on a little performance about how they saw her role in school.”

“She was a valuable member of staff that will be sadly missed. We hope she enjoys her retirement with her grandchildren and many hobbies.”

The school’s baking club packed Mrs Morley off with tasty treats.

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