100 years for trio of Waseley teachers

Buy photos » Steve Adams, Mike Hewitt and Tessa Bidgood have between them racked up 100 years of dedictaed service to Waseley Hills High School. (s)

A DEDICATED trio of teachers have been recognised for racking up 100 years of service between them at Waseley Hills High School.

Steve Adams, Tessa Bidgood and Mike Hewitt, all started teaching at Waseley at the same time on the first day of term in September 1979.

In December they all clocked up 33 years and four months each, a century's worth of tuition at Waseley, which has seen the three serve under five different headteachers.

Mr Adams 55, ICT tutor after teaching PE for 25 years, said his proudest memories were experiencing the courage of fellow

staff and pupils through some trying times.

"Accountability has increased, as has workload. Students faces change but the characters stay the same." he added.

Ex-Waseley pupil John Jack, who is also now the vice president of the Bank of New York, paid tribute to his former teacher.

"You could always count on Mr A to drive the minibus on the away games or stand refereeing on a water-logged football pitch blown by wind straight from Siberia.

"Generally relaxed but tough when he had to be, he got the best out of teams where talent was sometimes lacking.

"He rarely had to raise his voice but when he did you knew to keep your head down."

Ms Bidgood, 57, started life at Waseley teaching classical studies, careers and history, but had to put her books on the windowsill in the staff room because she did not have her own classroom.

She said in some ways she was grateful times had changed describing her most memorable moment as a time a girl's parent

said 'she doesn't need any exams, she'll only get married and have kids'.

"Teaching is the best job in the world.

"I have made some wonderful friends here and cannot believe it is over 33 years since I first walked up the drive," said Ms Bidgood.

Former student Edward Blunn, said: "I was lucky at school. Miss Bidgood was my teacher.

"Now she teaches my sons and I know she is the same professional and supportive person she has always been."

Mr Hewitt, 55, and a teacher of 11 different subjects at the school, was also given a glowing tribute by one-time pupil and now Waseley teacher.

Lucy Sherlock said: "I still have the metal hook that I made in class back when he taught me metalwork.

"It’s a testament to the quality of his teaching that I still have all my fingers."

Principal Alan Roll thanked the trio for their loyalty and commitment.

"It is quite remarkable in this era of education that three dedicated teachers should have given their entire career to one school.

"I am sure that parents of the thousands of students that have been taught and supported by Tessa, Mike and Steve would want to join with me in thanking them."

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