THE last nun teaching at a borough school has retired after 33 years at St Catherine's in Twickenham.

A mass was held at the school in honour of Sister Sheila Crumlish.

The headmistress, Zelma Braganza, said: "I have been privileged to work with her in this last year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for staying on during my first year at St Catherine's, for the invaluable support she has given me and for her leadership of the prep department.

"If success can be measured by the difference we make to the lives of those we touch, then Sister Sheila's 33 years at St Catherine's have indeed been successful. She has touched the lives of many generations of pupils, many staff and many parents."

The school celebrated Sister Sheila's dedicated, inspirational service' with a mass followed by lunch with a large number of ex-staff and sisters.

Sister Sheila arrived from Northern Ireland in 1956 and became a Sister of Mercy. After qualifying as a teacher, she took up her first post in St James's Catholic Primary School in 1966. She joined the prep department at St Catherine's in 1971 and became head of the department in 1985.

A surprise concert was arranged in the evening where Sister Sheila fulfilled a life-long dream and played the drums with the orchestra! This was followed by a reception organised by the Friends of St Catherine's, who thanked Sister Sheila for all her unstinting support over the years. Sister Sheila is taking a 'gap year' in Ireland to spend time with her family. The staff, parents and pupils will always remember her as a caring, loyal inspirational leader and wish her every happiness.

l Achievement by pupils was celebrated at the school's prize giving last week.

In her speech, Mrs Braganza said: "League tables generate much interest year after year but there is much that they do not measure. What really matters is whether each individual student has achieved her potential. Education is much more than just academics - it is about developing the whole person and I hope that this report shows that our students achieve in all areas."

The guest speaker was Miles Hilton-Barber, who has completed the Marathon Des Sables - 150 miles through the Sahara Desert - despite being blind. See page ten for a picture of the prize giving.