Sue was my first “boss” at Collingwood School in Wallington, Surrey, when I joined there for my first teaching post in 1994. She was such an excellent role model whom I tried to emulate in my own teaching. She had such a great rapport with both children and staff alike and got the best out of everyone. 
When Sue offered to put me up in her house in Wallington when I first started I was a little nervous at first to be her “lodger” but I really needn’t have worried. 

Early mornings started with “Classic FM” on the radio which made me feel really at home. 

I sorted out my own accommodation before long as I thought I should, but this didn’t work out that well. 

Luckily, Sue told me that her brother needed a new tenant in his flat so I ended up living just around the corner from her until I left to take up my second teaching post a few years later in Worcestershire which is where I’ve made my home with Neil and my daughter, Sarah (now at Liverpool Medical School). Sue was helpful with this when Sarah was going for Uni. interviews including at Queen’s Uni. Belfast. I really enjoyed her accounts of life when she lived in Northern Ireland, albeit difficult times. 

Sue was not just my boss but a real friend too. When my Dad died suddenly, not long after I joined Collingwood, she really looked out for me. A basket of fruit was waiting in my flat when I returned which was a lovely gesture from her. We still kept in touch twenty five years later. Her energy and investment in people and in everything that she did was astonishing. I’m pleased that she got the retirement that she so deserved even though she didn’t slow down until she had to!

I’m sure Sue has enriched so many people’s (and children’s) lives and she will be very much missed. I just wish I could have got to see her (as we were planning in the summer) after so long, but it wasn’t to be. 

Thinking of you all at this sad time, although I know that she would be wanting you to all live your life forwards at full pelt and not look backwards too much! With love,

Jane 
(Allen-Griffiths) 


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