Going strong

A SURPRISE presentation took place at Queen’s College on Tuesday to mark a remarkable spell of service.

Jackie Crook, lunchtime supervisor for the junior school children, is marking half a century at the school as she has just completed 50 years at Queen’s.

Headmistress, Tracey Khodabandehloo, stopped Jackie in her tracks during Christmas lunch in the dining hall to present her with a commemorative Queen’s paperweight, flowers and a card signed by children and staff.

Mrs Khodabandehloo said: “It’s a wonderful achievement to reach 50 years of dedicated service at Queen’s.

“We’d like to thank Jackie for everything she does for us and everything she has done over the years for the children in her care.”

Also at the presentation was senior school deputy head, Andrew Free, who said he could remember Jackie working in the dining room – then situated in the junior school – when he joined Queen’s as a student in 1975.

He added: “She has always been fantastically cheerful, utterly helpful and very caring.”

Jackie said she originally joined Queen’s in 1968 – working in the evenings to supervise boarders’ meals and see them off to bed – before becoming a lunch supervisor.

“It’s a wonderful place,” she added. “I’ve loved every minute of it and everyone in the school.

"I just wish I was a bit younger.”

And Jackie said she had no plans for retirement yet, adding: “I’ll keep going for as long as they want me.”