36+35=71!

A CLASS apart . . . Martin and Cath Jones with pupils at Mayfield Primary

Top marks for retiring teacher couple

THEY say couples that play together stay together —but it seems working together is the key to a happy marriage for Martin and Cath Jones.

The Grotton lovebirds retire from their teaching posts at Mayfield Primary in Derker tomorrow after clocking up an amazing 71 years of service between them.

The pair — who have spent their whole married life working together — met when Cath took a job at Derker Junior School in 1975, a year after Martin took up his post.

The school closed in 1982 and became Mayfield Primary where they have both worked ever since.

Martin (56) said: “People always ask us how we find it being married and working together but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We always get asked what we find to talk about at night but we’ve never struggled. I think we must be extremely well-suited.

“Most people say they wouldn’t like the idea of working with their partner but it’s always worked out brilliantly for us.

“During our career we have taught classes and organised school trips together so we’ve pretty much spent 24 hours-a-day together.”

Cath (55) added: “We have loved every minute of working at the school and have seen whole generations of Derker families grow up.

“There is something undeniably special about teaching the children of people you taught when they were children. Over the years we have seen mums, dads, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters of the same family and it’s lovely to see them all grow.

“We have made so many friends during our time here who we socialise with outside of work so we will definitely be keeping in touch with all our colleagues.”

The couple, who have two grown-up sons, are looking forward to taking it easy now they have more time on their hands as well as indulging in their hobbies of walking and travelling.

Cath said: “We would like to thank all the staff, parents and children at Mayfield as well as all the Derker families who have supported us over the years. Our retirement day will be exciting as well as emotional and the start of a new chapter for us.”

Head teacher Christine Taylor said: “I have never heard of a married couple working together at the same school for such a long time before. It is amazing.

“They are both excellent teachers who are truly dedicated to providing stunning lessons for the children and we will miss them both tremendously. The children of Derker have been very lucky to have been taught by these two for such a long time.”