THE headteacher of Blackmoor's St Matthew's Primary School has retired after 14 years at the school. Mary Hillman celebrated her retirement with a party on Thursday, April 3. The party was attended by a large number of guests, including staff and governors from previous years and schools. She was presented with gifts from the staff and pupils, including a laptop computer, jewellery and a photograph album spanning her time at the school. In a tribute to Mrs Hillman, deputy headteacher Tamsin Austoni said: "Mary came to St Matthew's to take up her first headship and she set about improving the school buildings with great gusto. "When I arrived six years later, the P5 and P6 wing was already well established and the new staff room, music and drama room and ICT suite was newly completed. "Since then, she has managed the addition of the SEN room and the KS1-covered outdoor classroom. The school is unrecognisable and hundreds of children have benefited from it. "The Christian ethos of the school is one of Mary's greatest passions and her expertise in RE and in PSHE, including her role as a Section 48 inspector, have stood her in good stead to ensure that the true nature of a church school is well embedded. "Mary has always worked very closely with the vicar of St Matthew's and the relationship between the church and the school could not be better. Generations of St Matthew's children have enjoyed a warm and meaningful relationship with the church because of this. "As part of her interest in PSHE, Mary has always valued a holistic personal education. We now enjoy Enhanced Healthy School status, the Sports Mark and are 'rights respecting' because of the support and encouragement she has given staff to achieve this. "Most adults and children will, of course, remember Mary best for her proactive approach to outdoor education. "How many schools in Hampshire do you imagine have a whole class-set of tents? How many KS2 children get to camp twice on their school field? "Those who do may not also have a headteacher who is quite prepared to have no sleep, get her hands dirty and be imaginative enough to make the whole experience one that they never forget. St Matthew's children get to see the magic of glow worms – something most adults never experience. St Matthew's children get the thrill of a midnight walk in the woods by moonlight. "There are many ways in which Mary has brought the highest of standards to the school and I will no doubt forget to mention some. But, for instance, her insistence that all staff are trained to be appointed first aiders and have open country leadership awards. "Swimming standards are closely adhered to and training provided. Our children get the most incredible swimming programme and all leave us as confident swimmers." County councillor Adam Carew, who is a governor and former pupil of St Matthew's School, said: "St Matthew's is a wonderful school and it's been a real privilege to work alongside Mary Hillman. "We have worked together on numerous projects, including battling against the powers that be to get crossings put in along Firgrove and Drift Road to allow safe walking to school. "Mary has always been extremely supportive of her staff and passionate about the children in her charge. Working with Mary has also been rather fun. "Her annual camp, midnight walk and badger watch really helped bring nature alive for pupils and the bouncy castle at apple tasting is not to be missed.   "I also have vivid memories of arranging for the school to learn about democracy first hand by visiting our local council chamber, where children voted to abolish school uniform, only to be overruled."