Faces from the past mixed with the current crop of teaching staff at Cross Ash School to say farewell to a much-loved colleague. Mrs Anne Brunt was a teacher at the school when it opened in 1991, prior to this she was also a teacher at Brynderi School, one of the small village schools which closed when the new community school opened in Cross Ash. Beginning her career 42 years ago in Birmingham and Bristol, she said it was a sharp contrast when she began job-sharing with Ceri Williams at the small country school in Brynderi, leading on to the 'heady days' of being involved with the new development at Cross Ash. "It was a wonderful school to work in and I was so lucky to be doing something I always wanted to do" she told the special school assembly. Headteacher, Marilyn Balkwill, herself retiring at the end of this year, paid a tribute to her friend and colleague with each class presenting humorous and poignant reminders of her time at the school, including running the tennis club and tournaments, chess club, Forest School, including a parody of one of her many residential trips when the pupils took the parts of teachers in a hilarious spoof re-enactment of Mrs Brunt being, Mrs Brunt. She is renowned for her love of art and the children used the theme of 'Take One Picture' to reflect on all the things she had brought to the school over the years, and also her many interests and hobbies. The children then presented her with flowers, cards, a garden recliner and gift vouchers from her favourite store. Other teaching staff stepping down at the end of this academic year include Suzanne Gooding, headteacher of Kymin View and Sue Morris, who both started in Wyesham on the same day 22 years ago. Mrs Gooding had previously taught at schools in Newport, Cwmbran and Abertillery before before moving to Overmonnow and then onto Wyesham Infants School. Mrs Morris taught at Cwmbran, Osbaston, Raglan before settling at Wyesham Junior School where she became one of the most admired and respected teachers in the community. "It's time to go," said Sue, "I have been teaching the children of the children I began with 22 years ago!" Apart from the voluntary work she wants to get involved in, she has been persuaded to take on the role of a governor at Whitchurch school, "so it's not the end" she added.