Pope honours Ascot head teacher

Emma Midgley
BBC Berkshire

The Bishop with children from St Francis School

A medal of the Holy Cross, one of the highest awards of the Roman Catholic Church, has been bestowed upon head teacher Jackie Wilson.

The head teacher of St Francis School, South Ascot, was awarded the 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice', in honour of her 25 years service.

The award is the highest given to the laity by the Papacy for distinguished service.

The award was also celebrated with a Mass given by Bishop Crispian Hollis.

The Bishop has awarded Jackie Wilson the medal of the Holy Cross

The service was held in St Francis of Assisi RC Parish Church, Coronation Road, Ascot.

Pupils, staff, school governors, local Catholic head teachers and parishioners joined in the celebrations.

St Francis Parish Priest Father Charlie McCloskey said: "Today was a very important day for Jackie Wilson, for St Francis School and for the parish community.

"Memorable event"

"It is a memorable event when a school celebrates having one head teacher for 25 years.

"It is a very special occasion when our Bishop celebrates Mass to mark her forthcoming retirement and a uniquely special day when someone receives such an important award from the Pope."

Jackie Wilson started working at St Francis Catholic Primary School in 1984.

She said: "Little did I know at my appointment in September 1984 that I would be celebrating my Silver Jubilee on my retirement in August 2009!"

Stray bomb

St Francis was started by the nuns of St Mary's, Ascot in 1892 with thirty-four children. A London school was evacuated to Ascot in 1939 and shared the school building.

However, in November 1940 a stray bomb destroyed the building. Luckily it was 5.20am and the only casualty was a pet tortoise asleep under a hedge.

Difficult conditions in temporary buildings ended when the present building was opened by Archbishop King in 1962.

Bishop Crispian Hollis officiated at the awards ceremony

In 1984 there were 160 children in school with six teachers and a few parent volunteers.

In 2009 there are 219 children with eight teachers, seventeen teaching assistants and many parent volunteers.

"The strongest memory I will take away is of the many hundreds of lovely children who have walked uncertainly through the front gates on their first day and who have grown and developed into confident and capable young people ready to go on to secondary school," said Mrs Wilson.

Many of Mrs Wilson's earliest pupils are now parents themselves and bring their own children to St Francis.

She said: "My oldest 'next generation' child is now in Year 5 with the youngest arriving in Reception this Summer 2009."