YOUNGSTERS at a Bury primary school had to make not one, but three different farewells.

Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Primary School saw three long-serving teachers prepare to head to pastures new at the end of term.

Among them were headteacher Dennis Harrison and deputy headteacher Amanda Donoghue.

Mr Harrison is retiring after more than 20 years leading the school in Portinscale Close and 34 years teaching in Greater Manchester.

He said: “I have been such a lucky fellow coming to Guardian Angels. I am leaving with a feeling of enormous pride.

“When you get a team of fantastic teachers, support workers and TAs all pulling together with the same sense of dedication – mixed with wonderful families and children – it’s a joy.

“The school is absolutely outstanding in every sense of the word so I am leaving it in the best shape it could be. I will miss the children terribly, they are funny, clever, intelligent children and a joy to be with.”

The 57-year-old dad-of-two from Blackrod is a national leader of education and has plans to continue to work with schools in an advisory role following a summer break.

Mr Harrison added that he would always remember the school’s motto of ‘Once and Angel, Always an Angel’.

Fellow leader Miss Donoghue, from Bury, departs after nearly nine years to take up a headteacher role in Salford.

She added: “I’m obviously sad to be leaving, the team here have been wonderful, but I’m just ready for a new challenge.”

Also saying goodbye last week was Year 5 class teacher Anne Dorey, from Bury, who has decided to take early retirement after 25 years at the school and a 38 year teaching career.

The 59-year-old mum-of-two is retiring at the same time as her husband Trevor, aged 59, who is also a teacher.

She said: “I have loved every minute at Guardian Angels. The children are so enthusiastic and absolutely delightful.

“Dennis said in his retirement speech ‘don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’, and that has kept me going all week. I’ve had the most beautiful cards and letters from past pupils and parents. I am now teaching children of children I taught here.”

The school celebrated the teachers’ end of term with a fun day featuring inflatables, face painting, crazy hair, an array of sports and ice lollies whilst the sun shone.