Claire Starley

Claire Starley - a wonderful teacher and friend.

Claire Starley was a teacher at this school until she died in April 2002.

Although only 31 years old, Claire had a profound impact on many children's lives - here at Swimbridge, and previously at her school at Balsham in Cambridgeshire. The lives of so many children will be the richer for having had her as their first teacher. She was a dedicated, kind and loving teacher who was so well organised, supportive and cheerful - right to the last.

We have been lucky to have had Claire as a teacher at our school; many of us have been lucky to know Claire as a friend.

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A selection of comments and memories made about Claire Starley in the School Book of Remembrance:

From pupils:
* I liked Mrs Starley because she's always been nice to us. She was like my mummy at school.
* I love Mrs Starley because she loves me!
* She always smiled and was bright and cheerful too. I think she is a very special person.
* I love Mrs Starley because she makes me happy!
* She was the best teacher in the world.

From a parent:
*It is a real privilege and honour to have had Claire as my child's first teacher. She was a very special person, a wonderful teacher, whose presence lit up the classroom. Her smile lit up her face and she radiated warmth and love.

From two colleagues:
* Claire was a gifted teacher and a good friend. She was always positive! I will always remember her bravery and courage. Claire coped with her illness in a way that is humbling and leaves the rest of full of admiration.
Someone said that Claire may have been chosen to look after all those little children in Heaven. Our loss, their gain!
* Claire was the best colleague and mentor that I could have wished to work besides - always happy, positive, caring and patient. She was a most special person.

Some of our headteacher's memories:

It was a hot summers day, which was just as well. Claire Starley got changed into a black tee shirt and grey trousers for probably the most challenging ordeal of her teaching career. Claire sat down, feet up and ...... splat, the first wet sponge hit her..... then another. Being in the stocks at a Swimbridge PTA Fayre is something we didn't warn her about a year earlier when she appeared at our school for an interview.

A year before we urgently needed a new teacher for our reception / year 1 class. Amongst all the applications one stood out like a ray of light - almost too good to be true. Claire Starley had the right experience, was moving to North Devon and had already given in her notice at her previous school. I phoned her previous head. "Claire Starley? Probably the best teacher I have ever had" came the instant reply.

We met Claire and were all impressed by her personality, her dedication, her professionalism, her sense of fun - no wonder she got the job and ended up in the stocks!

As a teacher Claire did everything with great enthusiasm. She planned and developed our PSHE programme. She led the total reorganisation of our lunchtime play sessions, so that children have fulfilling activities to do. If you drive past the school at lunchtime and see boys, for instance, wearing ladies coats, hats and handbags from the dressing up box, there is only one person to blame - Claire Starley!

Claire attended every PTA meeting, every school disco, represented the school on the SNAP committee, attended loads of courses and always shared with the rest the staff what they were about, so that we too could further improve our teaching of the children in our care. She quickly built up working relationships with infant teachers
in neighbouring schools.

We are fortunate to have had Claire as a teacher at our school.

Claire dealt with the onset of her terminal illness in a way only she could do. She was so positive. Father John Garrett, at Claire's funeral said that in 30 years of priesthood he had never met anyone who reacted so calmly. She never said ' Why me?' She coped with the news so incredibly. She is a shining example to us all - like a candle in the darkness, showing us the way.

We can be sad because she has gone, but we can smile and thank God because she lived.

Claire Starley - a wonderful teacher and friend.