Special memories
Sad news
It was with a heavy heart in 2020 that I had to write to our school community to inform them of the sad passing of Di Stendall who was our serving Chair of Governors.
Di passed away in hospital in the early hours of the 30th July, 2020 following a lengthy battle with cancer. The strength she showed and the drive she had for fighting her illness was truly remarkable. This was a massive blow for our school, what a lady, a true inspiration to all.
We all joined together in sending condolences to her husband Roger and her family and friends at that devastatingly sad time and we felt the need to create something special in memory of Di - dedicating our new Library space in her memory.
High Oakham Primary School has embarked on a refurbishment journey which has been delayed somewhat as the school moved through some turbulent times - to create an inspirational, calm and engaging school library. Di was so very passionate about children learning and in particular reading. She loved to hear children read at High Oakham and was an advocate for reading for pleasure - that true love of reading!
We have already worked really hard on our library space - it was two classrooms which we have opened up to create an airy, bright spacious centre. We have replaced the carpets and painted throughout. School have committed £5k to this which has nearly been spent and we are looking for you to support us to secure a provision which we hope will be modern and inspiring. We are looking a mini research areas which can mix new technologies with traditional reading to extend our learning and play a great part in preparing our children for their lives ahead in Modern Britain.
You can help us to make this happen not only for our amazing children but for Di and her memory.
Please donate by clicking here - every donations helps, no matter how small or large.
Thank you
The beautiful Mrs Booth passed away on 15th November 2019 after a year long battle with cancer.
Mrs Booth worked here at High Oakham for 11 years.
She was a very wonderful teacher and taught many of you.
She has had a huge impact on our school, that means that she has done lots of things that have made a difference.
She touched so many lives, yours, your parents, the staff here – she made some wonderful friends here
Everybody is sad, everyone is grieving Grief is like a rollercoaster
You can be up, then down, then flat, then down again, then up
You can be sad, angry, really sad, happy, calm, sad etc..
At some point you get to accepting what has happened.
Getting to this point for different people takes different lengths of time
Remembering helps…..
At school we had a table of condolence for Mrs Booth where the whole school community came and reflected, had a moment to remember and left messages in our special books.
Everyone in school tied a ribbon on our memory tree to show our love and respect for such a wonderful soul.
Mrs Booth's funeral, a wonderful, bitterly sad celebration of her life, was held on her birthday - 29th November 2019. It was exactly as she had planned it, a grand event filled with people who loved and respected her. Her brave and inspirational children did her proud with their heart warming and heart breaking speeches and her loving husband Mr Booth, talked of how she touched so many lives and will be so sorely missed - his best friend and soul mate. Our hearts went out to Mrs Boaler her dear friend and all her colleagues all who paid their respects and reflected on the part she played in their lives.
You can read Mrs Astle's tribute to Mrs Booth on behalf of High Oakham Primary School community. below.
Our whole school sang and recorded two songs which were played at her funeral - 'Seek ye first' and 'A million dreams' - you can listen to these below.
Our whole school community will remember Mrs Booth.
'And the songbirds keep singing like they
know the score' Songbird - Eva Cassidy
Come and sit awhile and remember and enjoy the view of our memory tree and the outdoors at High Oakham where Mrs Booth was at her happiest! A huge thanks to Mr Booth who has bought this beautiful memorial to his wife and our deputy head.
A life that touches others goes on forever
