Exodus to other climes creates vacancies at Peatmoor

Swindon's Peatmoor Community Primary School is well known for its commitment to helping Dihlabeng, its partner school in South Africa with educational equipment and materials. But now it's starting to send children worldwide as well.

Over the last six months families have left the school for all parts of the globe. Four have gone to Australia, two to the USA, and one each to Canada and the Isle of Man. Two leave for Scotland in March and headteacher Terri Peacock says that a few more may be taking off over the next six months.

Departures are not confined to children either. Much valued volunteer Sam Street, is leaving for sunny California at the end of March with her two daughters and husband, who will be taking up a position at his company's headquarters. Sam has coordinated the Story Sacks library for two years and is also employed part-time as the community users' booking secretary.

She said she was sad to be leaving Peatmoor. "The school is such a hive of creative activity and has given my children a wonderful start in their education. They're unsure about uprooting themselves from their friends but a new adventure calls. I'd like to set up an e-mail link with their new school and Peatmoor so that their new friends in America will be able to find out about Swindon and discover the link with Dihlabeng."

Terri said Sam has been 'a star' and her going was a huge loss to both the school and community side. "I really don't know why so many children and staff are leaving all of a sudden, but it's the way of the world. New opportunities beckon elsewhere and jobs require families to move on. This means the school has vacancies in most year groups and we welcome enquiries from families moving into West Swindon."

For details about Peatmoor School call 887473.

www.millenniumschools.co.uk/pub/swindon/peatmoor-community-primary