Farewell to Mr Balfour

HEAD PUPILS: Dear Mr Balfour, this is for you. We know you love poems; well we hope that you do! We’re sorry you’re leaving and wish you goodbye But we really don’t want you to break down and cry. YEAR THREE We are Year Three and we missed most of school! We stayed home in lockdown and broke every rule. We love being back and assemblies are fun. It's great to sing songs with everyone. YEAR FOUR Here come Year Four : the buzzing live wires! We are the bright sparks and really high flyers. We moved and grooved in our Christmas show. To sing loud and proud and make your heart glow. YEAR FIVE Year Five are cool dudes. We have a great time. We are so clever - we even use rhyme! We hope you enjoy our humorous verse. Let’s face it. Your dad jokes are even worse! YEAR SIX Listen to us. Year Six is the name. We work hard and play hard but fun is our game. We are a great team but sometimes quite LOUD. We hope we have made you happy and proud. YEAR SEVEN We have to say we love your goodwill Miss Trunchbull on wheels or Cruella de Vi! We will never forget your face or your name. Who else will dress up as a pirate or dame ? TOP FORM We’re nearing the end. You’ve heard from the rest; So it’s probably time to hear from the best. Good luck at Edge Grove. We just want to say Come back to see us; we’d like you to stay! ALL PUPILS: Mr Balfour, our poem has come to its end It’s time to conclude; you’ve been a great friend. Thanks for the puns, the fun and the cheer. With thanks to all the pupils for performing this in our final assembly with Mr Balfour, and special thanks to Mrs Beavis for penning this special poem.

There once was a teacher named Ed, Who of Beechwood Park became Head, But now he is gone, And it won’t be such fun, Unless we have snow days instead. We will miss him but things will go on And soon there will be some sun But for now in the snow, With nowhere to go I feel that this poem is done! Rory Brewer

From day to day, From Assembly to class You’re always so encouraging I wish these days could last From month to month From summer to snow You’ve been with us through it all I don’t want you to go From year to year You kept us safe You’ve inspired us all You’ve been absolutely ace! SO now the time has come To say a big GOODBYE We wish you well Mr Balfour I think the whole of Beechwood will cry From here to tomorrow From school to school A new adventure waits for you As a headmaster, you’ll always be cool Olivia Farrow

Mindful Respectful

Best Head ever Amazing Lovely Funny Original Useful Reliable

We had a great headmaster. Ed Balfour was his name. Beechwood Park he nurtured, His very own domain. He joined us in September The year 2015 Only a few remember During the reign of our dear late Queen. He dealt with all the parents, And their little superstars. Kiss and Drop worked wonders Even with posh cars. His impact was terrific, His care was even greater. But now he’s left for warmer climes. Edge Grove! Oh what a traitor!! You’ve done so well for oh so long You’ll have a great debut And thank you for all your work We will remember you Joshua Davies, Top Form

Mr Balfour, your time has come, To reflect on all the work for school you have done. You leave us now at the end of term To help Edge Grove grow and learn. You taught us how to nurture, engage and inspire, And thankfully these words will never retire. Headmaster’s Commendations were always a joy to get, Especially from you; we will never forget. Speech Days were sometimes a drag But when you came on stage, we were all glad; To listen to your humorous jokes And endlessly watch “That’s all folks” A recent memory, planting a tree, With three bright cameras like paparazzi shining on me We stood for hours, posing and smiling, Freezing cold, some of us were whining. Thank you Mr Balfour for the journey we all share We don’t even know if you are aware Of the impact you have made in our live You have never once caused us grief or strife And as this poem comes to a close So does your time at Beechwood we know Thank you for everything, Mr Balfour And thank you for making the lion roar. Audrey Ekpo, Top Form

Mr Balfour inspires us every day All of us wish you could stay We are all sad that you are leaving today You light up the gloomy days in our life When we feel sad you cheer us up with a joke So we hope you like your new job You were the best headmaster we have ever had.

Katherine Todd We will miss you a lot For all that you have done Don’t ever forget You made Beechwood more fun

All the work you put in Beechwood’s been blessed Caring for us Is what you did best We’ll never forget All the memories we’ve shared You achieved your mission We are all now prepared Now for our future, You’ll always be there Teachers come and go But people like you are very rare. I guess this is it A new chapter for you Time to say goodbye A new mission for us all to pursue

Thomas G

Mr Balfour is leaving Beechwood And going to lead a new school We will get a new Head But we will miss Ed And Beechwood will be a little less cool

As you pack up St Giles Think of fun times and smiles And as we say goodbye Promise not to cry Just remember happiness that you spread for miles Good luck Mr Balfour, as you leave us to go Beechwood will miss you more than you know

Leo Reynolds