PUPILS and colleagues past and present have celebrated the career of Julie Gravestock, who recently retired from a long teaching career that was mainly spent at The Bourne School.

Julie spent her first few years of teaching at schools in Guildford and Badshot Lea before joining The Bourne School in September 1983 where she taught for 28 years.

When it amalgamated with South Farnham School she taught for a further ten years.

She served under a number of headteachers including Mrs Greentree, long-standing head of The Bourne School, and Karin Cooper who succeeded her. Julie mentored and helped many young teachers and the maxim ’Ask Julie’ was often heard around the school.

Her pupils always remembered her and she sometimes went on to teach their children so her educational legacy continued to be passed on to another generation.

Julie attended all school events encompassing summer fun, Christmas fayres, jumble sales, Sunday animal farms, after-school clubs and bonfire night celebrations.

She was a long-standing member of the school PTA and was also involved in community events such as The Bourne Show and Farnham Carnival where she led the school float.

At her retirement celebration, tributes were given by Sir Andrew Carter, head of South Farnham Educational Trust, Karin Cooper and Allan Binfield, The Bourne School caretaker who joined the school in 1983.

All mentioned Julie’s energy, enthusiasm and sense of fun.

Julie was presented with a bench by Sir Andrew (pictured). Her many other presents from parents , staff, ex-colleagues and children included membership of the National Trust and the RHS plus many colourful drawings made by the children.

"The ’Bourne legend’, as Julie is often fondly known, leaves a strong legacy and will be much missed by pupils and staff alike," said another former colleague, Elizabeth Cooper.