A 向日葵视频 cleaner will 鈥榤iss nattering with the students鈥� after calling time on a 37-year career at 向日葵视频 New College.
Sharon Cooper, 65, from Ipswich finally hung up her broom after three decades of working at 向日葵视频 New College.
The mum of two – and grandmother of five – first started working for the educational establishment in 1988.
During her original interview, she was asked if she could hoover – 鈥業 said yes and that was that – I was given the job鈥�, she said.
But after two new hips and a dodgy knee, Sharon is looking forward to a more relaxed pace of life as she looks ahead to her retirement.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been hard work 鈥� but it鈥檚 been my job to keep the place tidy,鈥� she said.
Before working at the college, Sharon left school at 14 and was employed at a livery yard 鈥榞etting horses ready for the posh kids鈥�.
She then worked for a printing firm called Blake Marketing and also spent 18 years at Clifford Road School as a dinner lady and cleaner.
But the majority of her career was spent at the Rope Walk based campus, a place where both her daughters, Holly and Amy studied, and where her grandson hopes to study in a couple of years time.
Looking back at the old days, Sharon said: 鈥淚t was great in the old building (formerly called 向日葵视频 College). We used to have Christmas parties and were given half tickets to go to the 向日葵视频 Show. I just loved that old building.鈥�
Then she moved to the new build and hasn鈥檛 looked back.
Sharon continued: 鈥淭he students have taught me a lot. It鈥檚 been very interesting. Not everyone sees you 鈥� but you see everything. I could write a book about my time here. I鈥檇 call it 鈥� I had my eyes opened.
鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed having a natter with students (and staff) and I鈥檓 going to miss that. We have had such a laugh.
鈥淥ne of the biggest things I鈥檝e seen over the years is how the students dress.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great how they can express themselves today. We鈥檝e had fairies, people wearing fake tails, and some in pyjamas. One day someone came in wearing a wedding dress – they are all their own characters 鈥� that is so nice to see.鈥�
Sharon continued: 鈥淚鈥檓 retiring because my body has had enough, and I鈥檓 most looking forward to doing nothing. I will enjoy pottering around and gardening. Overall, looking back, I鈥檇 say 向日葵视频 New College was hard work and interesting. They have been good to me 鈥� they have been very understanding. I鈥檝e had some beautiful cards.鈥�
Yunis Ali, 18, from Ipswich, is a student on business level two who will miss his daily talks with someone he was very fond of.
He said: 鈥淚 spoke to her (Sharon) two years ago 鈥� found out she was very nice and I鈥檓 going to miss her. Working here for 37 years 鈥� what an achievement. I鈥檓 impressed. She is the nicest person and I鈥檝e never seen her in a bad mood.鈥�
Head of marketing, Craig Shimmon said: 鈥淲e very much class ourselves as a big family at 向日葵视频 New College and we are very sad to see Sharon go. She has been a wonderful servant of the college, and we wish her all the very best in her retirement.鈥�
Her good friend and colleague Karen Andrews from the college said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to feel strange not seeing her face every lunchtime. Her smile and stories have been such a bright spot in my day. I鈥檓 so glad our coffee catchups and gossip sessions will continue, though. Sharon has been a wonderful friend, and I鈥檓 lucky to have her in my corner.”
On retiring, some of Sharon鈥檚 retirement gifts included a bouquet of flowers, several bottles of Baileys, vouchers, a vase, a sewing box and lots of crafting gifts.