Retirement of The Queen’s School headmistress Catherine Buckley

Jul 29 2010 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

A MUCH-LOVED headteacher was presented with a jaguar at a special celebration to mark her retirement.

The animal adoption from Chester Zoo was a gift from pupils at The Queen’s School in honour of Catherine Buckley, who has retired as headmistress after nine years at the City Walls Road girls’ independent school.

The gift was just one of many presented to Mrs Buckley by pupils, parents and staff during a week of celebration at the end of the summer term.

The zoo theme continued with a safari evening at Chester Zoo for Mrs Buckley and Frances Culver and Sue Stinson, two other teachers who have retired this year.

During the week, sixth formers baked cakes for a special tea party in the school hall which was festooned with balloons and banners. Deputy head girl Sarah Burgess led a special assembly for Mrs Buckley, which included a performance by the staff male voice choir wearing T-shirts emblazoned with her photograph.

Mrs Buckley said: “The whole school made sure that my last few days at Queen’s were memorable.

“I really could not have asked for a more enjoyable send-off.”