A MIDDAY assistant has been honoured after marking 30 years of service to the school she attended as a girl.

Pat Newns first began working at St Benedict's Catholic Primary School in Orford in 1987 as cover for her mum.

On Tuesday, September 12, pupils and fellow members of staff held a surprise celebration as the midday assistant marked 30 years of service to the Quebec Road school.

The 63-year-old began working at St Benedict's when it was sited on Orford Lane, before it moved to its current location 26 years ago.

Pat, of Wilkinson Street, said: “I wasn’t expecting anything - I don’t like a fuss.

“I started working at the old school covering for my mum.

“She’d broken her ankle so I stepped in, and then eventually I took over looking after the juniors.

“I practically lived at St Benedict’s - I did the netball and rounders, I helped on sports day and I started up the parent’s association."

Pat also attended St Benedict's as a pupil, starting 60 years ago in 1957, but she has no plans to retire just yet.

She added: “I wouldn’t say I’ve loved every minute of it, but I have loved most of it.

“The work has got harder with all the health and safety now - if a child fell you didn’t used to have to fill out any forms or anything like that.

“But I still love it, and I love the children - they’re the priority, especially the new ones who are just starting school.

“Every September, the new children come in and say that I know their mum or their nan.

“It makes me feel like it’s about time I retired, but in my head I’m still young so I’m still running around after the kids on the playground.

“Everyone treats you like you’re family and I’d like to see out my working days here."