Matthew Cross

Thursday 9^th December 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing with mixed emotions to let you know that, at the end of this academic year (31st August 2022), I will be stepping down from my position as head teacher at Queen’s Hill Primary School.

Being head teacher of Queen’s Hill School is an absolute privilege, but after over 20 years of headship and 30 years in the teaching profession, I feel the time is right for me to spend more time with my family. I was the first member of staff here at Queen’s Hills and when I was appointed the school hadn’t even been built. The first term in post was spent working from, what was then, Costessey High School, and I would spend my weekends visiting show homes trying to find children to come to the school!  On the 8th September 2008 we opened with just 29 pupils, 3 teachers for 3 classes, a secretary and a site manager. My, how we’ve grown!

I am so proud of what we have achieved over the years. Not only have we grown and nurtured our young people, we have also grown our staff who have taken on a variety of leadership roles across Norfolk’s education system and we have trained up very many teachers. All of the things that I have been striving for over the years are now in place: high quality music provision, sports opportunities, language education, cookery and most recently our outdoor classrooms, all of this alongside the normal curriculum found in a primary school.  The school is in a strong position for a new head teacher to come and take the school to the next phase of its learning journey.

The last few months have been tough for everyone but the support that we have received from you, the parents and carers, and the wider community has been phenomenal. Whoever the wonderful parent was who nominated me for a Norfolk Hero Award last summer, I am extremely grateful to, but in my eyes we were ALL heroes, each and every one of us.

I will always carry a part of Queen’s Hills in my heart – your children have made me smile, laugh and cry but most importantly I feel so proud of them all. I haven’t always got things right, and I haven’t always been able to keep everyone happy. But we have been an amazing team, a strong community and we have always had the children’s interests at the heart of everything we have done.

Those of you who know me well will know I won’t slack in the next few months, probably the opposite! I will endeavour to support the governors and my successor to ensure there is a smooth transition.

Queen’s Hills School is one incredible family. We’ve had our share of heartache, illness and sadness but we’ve also had weddings and babies, recoveries from illness, fun and laughter. Whoever is appointed to head the family up next is going to be one lucky person. I know the Chair of Governors, Laura Cowan, will keep you posted over the next few months about the recruitment process.

In the meantime, please be assured of my absolute commitment to the pupils and their education, the staff and governors and you, our families.

With very best wishes,

Penny Sheppard