Barry Comprehensive School

On Friday 12 December, colleagues, friends and family joined together to say goodbye and good luck to Mr Swallow on his retirement.

Jenny Ford (Deputy Headteacher), Michael Walker (Head Boy), Hannah Parker (Head Girl), Matthew Griffiths (Chair of Governors), Kath Beaudette (Governor) and Jane Hutt (AM),gave speeches that were full of humour and anecdote but also filled with respect and affection for a Headteacher who has made a real difference to his school and community.

Berchie Frederick and Tumfour Emmanuel, visiting from Juaben Senior High School in Ghana thanked Mr Swallow for his support of the British Council funded Global School Partnership.

David then addressed the audience in his characteristically humble and self-effacing manner, re-iterating his belief that ‘It’s not about me’.

Judging by the standing ovation that followed, it seemed that everyone present believed that a great deal of the school’s success is indeed about him.

Following the speeches, the Creative Arts Faculty reprised a number of David’s favourite songs from their repertoire before everyone tucked-in to a delicious hog roast.

Photos:

• Jane Hutt (AM) paying tribute to David Swallow
• David Swallow addressing the audience
• The Senior Choir with ‘Afrika’
• Daniel Saunders singing ‘You’ll Be In My Heart’
• Jared Cornish singing 'Master of the House'
• Jack Feureisen singing ‘Cry Me A River’
• Tom Kinch singing ‘Una Fortiva Lagrima’
• The Senior Choir with ‘One Day More’
• Percussionists with ‘A Winters Tale’
• Mr and Mrs Swallow with the ornamnetal bird bath presented to them by the Governors
• Jenny Ford, David Swallow, (wearing his gift from Juaben Senior High School in Ghana) Berchie Frederick, Tumfour Emmanuel and Helen McCormick