Students put on concert for retiring music teacher

PUPILS put on a surprise concert to say goodbye to a well-loved and inspirational music teacher.

Sixth form students organised the farewell concert for Gillian Pearson at Bishop Ramsey CE School, in Hume Way, Ruislip, yesterday (16), and pupils from all years along with former students took part in it.

Mrs Pearson has spent the last 12 years as head of music at the school and many of her pupils have gone on to study music at university and some have become music teachers themselves.

She said: "I am quite happy about leaving because life is a big book and it's just another chapter opening. The last one has been pretty good so I am hoping the next one will be even better.

"When I started at the school I was covering maternity leave but I never left. My predecessor decided not to come back and they just assumed I was going to stay here and I did.

"I will miss the pupils the most. I like to know what they're doing now but also what is going to happen to them in the future and a lot of pupils still keep in contact with me.

"One pupil who left in 1999 came all the way from Chichester to see me before I left.
"At the concert there were so many of my ex-students. They said such lovely things. It was quite emotional."

Harriet Di Bartolo, 18, a pupil at the school, said: "Without Mrs Pearson I wouldn't be going on to study music at university" and Alastair Poole, 12, said she is the best music teacher he has ever had.

Mrs Pearson, who has also worked at Vyners School in Ickenham and Northwood School, is moving back to Wales to enjoy her retirement.

She said: "I am hoping to do all the things I haven't been able to do while teaching like learning to play the harp because I've had one for many years."