I am so lucky to be teaching the daughter of Matt and Clare Lennon this year. Working with the Grady-Lennons has taught me how a family can survive the most heart-breaking and life-changing time with strength, determination, humour and courage. Clare was so brave and strong in her long fight against cancer and she talked to me candidly about how she wanted her children to get on with school and do well; not to let cancer take over their childhood. Well, that bit is easy – I have a lot of fun teaching her daughter who is the right mix of hard-working and mischievous. I hear – just like her mum.

Clare lost her fight just before Christmas and the community clearly lost a much-loved member. As I enjoy hearing about Clare through her daughter, I am humbled with how they are all continuing with a smile on their faces. There is nothing that will REALLY help, but I wanted to have a go. Our class are planning on doing a fund-raiser once lockdown 3.0 is over but there is something I can do until then – I’m going to shave my head! It will be fun; just sharing the idea made Clare and Matt’s daughter lol – that made it worth it!

All money raised will go to the PICS (Primary Integrated Community Services) palliative care team who helped Clare and her family at the most difficult of times. **********EDIT: I AM NOW BEING JOINED BY OUR SCHOOL'S DEPUTY HEAD, MRS PAULA MCCAY WHO IS ALSO WILLING TO SHAVE HER HAIR TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THIS FANTASTIC TEAM *************

Thank you for your time,

Stay safe.

Nik Shivley