The Tony Burrell Union at Union High School was the grand venue for a formal dinner on Thursday evening, 16 May, to bid farewell to Union Preparatory School’s principal, Ms. Leona Rich.
Ms. Rich has served the school as principal for the past 12 years and will be retiring in September.
Thanks to the Prep School’s hospitality team, The Union was beautifully decorated according to a ‘Hollywood’ theme, paying homage to Ms. Rich’s love of acting.
It was a wonderful occasion, with a great crowd, who all wanted to give this much-loved principal the send-off she deserves.
A lavish three-course dinner, catered for by Angeline Hampton, was interspersed with speeches delivered by Union High School’s headmaster, Mr. William Pringle, and Mr. Stephen Bezuidenhout, chairman of the Prep School’s Governing Body, who made use of the opportunity to pay tribute to this valued member of the Union schools’ family.
After an emotional video, wherein Ms. Rich’s loved ones, colleagues and learners expressed their fond memories of her and their good wishes for her retirement, Ms. Rich was presented with an opportunity to address all those present.
“I am leaving with a heavy heart, I will always cherish this journey and my heart is filled with gratitude, appreciation and sadness,” she said at the farewell dinner.
Ms. Rich thanked her colleagues, pupils as well as the school’s parents for the support and cooperation extended to her over the years.
“This is not only in terms of improving the school’s infrastructure but the quality of teaching and learning as well,” she said.
Thanks are extended to everyone for coming along and making it such a memorable occasion.
