Norton Radstock College principal Shirley Arayan is to retire at the end of the month having held the role for nearly 16 years, it has been announced.
She made the decision to retire at the beginning of the year, but the date was formally announced by chair of governors Chris Dando this week.
Mrs Arayan who started teaching part-time when her own children were small also worked at South Bristol College before moving to Norton Radstock College as a lecturer in health and community care in 1986.
She worked as vice principal to four others before becoming principal in 1999 and said: “When I arrived at the college there were 42 wooden huts on the site and 100 16 to 18-year-olds enrolled; now we have purpose built buildings and 800 plus students including apprentices.
“I enjoy talking to the students the most; there is a perception that teenagers are awful and that’s not true — we have some really great students here.
“I’ve seen different generations of the same family at the college and quite often I’m stopped by people who say: ‘Do you remember me? You changed my life’.”
Interim principal will be the college’s current vice principal, Henry Logan.
Mr Dando said: “The governors would like to thank Shirley for the significant contribution that she has made to the college and would like to wish her a long and happy retirement.”
Meanwhile, Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (Cache) chief executive Nick Cutland is also leaving his organisation at the end of the month, having reached the end of his six-month contract.
He will be replaced on an interim basis by Sarah Johnson.
Mr Cutland said: “I have greatly enjoyed my time working with Cache and all the many colleagues I have got to know and work with over the last three-and-a-half years.
Ms Johnson’s began her career teaching and developing Access courses in London. She has developed quality improvement systems and processes within OCN, the Learning and Skills Council and several colleges.
“I am pleased to be returning to the awarding organisation world at a time of change for the sector,” she said.
Marilyn Hawkins, Cache chair, said: “In the board’s appointment of Ms Johnson, Cache’s customers and all our partners can be assured that they will continue to receive the excellent service they have come to expect from Cache.
“We would like to thank Mr Cutland for everything he has done for Cache and wish him great success for the future.”
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