AFTER 14 years of service – 13 as chairman – Margaret Crowe retired in December from the Eggar’s School governing body.

In appreciation, art teacher Claire Drewe and some of the Eggar’s GCSE art students created a meaningful and lasting memento of her tenure. The colourful collage of silver frames holds various Eggar’s-themed creations.

Together with headteacher Patrick Sullivan and Mrs Drewe, the students presented their gift to Mrs Crowe who enjoys painting in her spare time.

Mrs Crowe began her service as an Eggar’s School governor in September 2001, appointed by the local authority, and within a year she was serving as chairman. Over the next 13 years, Mrs Crowe worked with four headteachers and helped raise the school from Ofsted-rated “good” to “outstanding”, where it has remained for more than a decade.

She also guided Eggar’s through the process of becoming an academy.

With a background in software design and development, Mrs Crowe’s encyclopaedic knowledge of school governance benefitted many hundreds of Eggar’s staff and students.

Her multiple terms of office were characterised by professionalism, generosity of time and talent, and dedicated service to the best interests of all the students. Thus, a thank you gift from current students, marking her service to so many, seemed a fitting way to show sincere and lasting gratitude to Mrs Crowe.