A SCHOOL worker who has looked after more than 1,000 children over 25 years has retired.
Lunchtime supervisor Joan Brewer waved goodbye to Lingfield Primary School – where 29 of her family members have been educated – earlier this month.
The 65-year-old, who has lived in Lingfield all her life, said: "I absolutely loved it and if I could help a child that had problems I used to calm them down. I also loved my time when I was a pupil at the school. Of course it was much smaller then."
Mrs Brewer, of Lingfield Common Road, started at the school as a cleaner and lunchtime supervisor in September 1987.
"I loved going into work, it felt like my second home after spending so much time there," she said.
She is trained in first aid, and had to make sure children were "patched up" if there were any injuries in the playground.
She said: "Children are always going to have bumps and scrapes and that is something that has not changed in all my time.
"The only major injuries I have ever had to deal with was a girl, years ago, who cut her nose quite severely and had to be taken to hospital.
"The other was when a girl broke her leg as she was playing football in the playground."
Mr Brewer added: "The school has changed a lot over the years, and I don't envy the teachers as I think their jobs are getting tougher. I certainly would not be able to do it."
When asked what she would do with her new free time, Mrs Brewer said she would like to travel more, and will start by visiting Guernsey with her sister, Maureen Austin.
"I'm sure there will be plenty more holidays in years to come," she added.
She also plans to spend some more time sewing and creating cards for various occasions.
