STAFF and pupils at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School yesterday said a sad farewell to a teaching assistant who has taught at the school for the past 27 years.

Margaret Champ, 68, from Highworth, was inundated with handmade cards as she left behind almost three decades of fond memories.

On Thursday, the pupils from Holy Cross’s two sites – Queen’s Drive and Upham Road – came together for a special assembly to wish Margaret all the best and to thank her for all she has done.

“The assembly was lovely,” said Margaret. “The pupils did the Stations of the Cross and there was a presentation afterwards.

“The kids were great. Every class made their own unique, beautiful cards – it was very special.”

Margaret first began teaching the infants after being asked to work with a child who had a temporary problem with his hands and struggled to work.

Being the mother of three boys, it was assumed that a caring and affectionate Margaret would be the perfect person to assist.

“After that, a job came up in the junior school and I have been doing it ever since,” she said.

“I have worked with children of mixed abilities over the years, some more challenging than others. But it has been a wonderful job, just the sort of thing I always wanted to do.

“I always like helping the little ones who needed that extra push. I love children and it never felt like a chore, it was like a home from home.”

One of the jobs she enjoyed most of all was when she spent a couple of years working in the school’s library.

She said: “Working there was lovely because I got to see all the children as they would often come in to change their books.”

Other highlights from her years at Holy Cross include going on school trips to places such as the Isle of Wight.

“I used to love it when we went away on trips because you got to spend real quality time with the children.”

Unfortunately, ill-health has meant that Margaret has had to put away her marking pen to give herself time to recover after an upcoming operation.

“I plan to do more things for myself, like walking or swimming,” she said.

She has six children herself – three boys and three girls – and three grandchildren. She is married to husband John.

“Having grandchildren is wonderful, and I expect they will be able to take up a bit more of my time,” she said with warmth.

Two of her sons live in Australia and she plans to spend a bit of time visiting them down under.

However, unable to keep away from the classroom, she confessed: “I’m sure I will go back and visit quite often. I will miss everybody.”