A DEDICATED headteacher of a school that has received a visit from the King, produced more than 125,000 eggs and has a honey harvest every year will step down from his post after 30 years.
Ian Jones, head of Ysgol San Sior in Llandudno, has seen the school double in size over the years - from 122 children to now having 243 on roll.
Mr Jones, who is married to Gemma, a nurse at Ty Gobaith, and has two sons - Ellis and Sam, said working at San Sior has been a "huge part of his life" one he has "loved". He credited the "dedicated and hardworking staff" who have supported him.
The 56-year-old, originally from Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, has had some incredible achievements over the years including securing a visit from the now King, who saw first-hand how children are educated to to foster a love for the environment in the hope they go on to be the next Steve Backshalls, Iolo Williamses and David Attenboroughs.
The school houses chameleons, chickens, monitor lizards, tortoises, geckos and exotic frogs.
Mr Jones said: "I was mistaken for someone on work experience when I was first appointed. I was the youngest head in Wales having done my apprenticeship for four years as a teacher in Holyhead.
"I distinctly remember the Director of Education telling me after the interview that the Governing Body were divided, whether to employ a head that was a ‘safe bet’ or take a risk employing a teacher with just four years experience, that may potentially make a real difference. I hope all feel that the risk paid off."
Mr Jones said the decision to retire has been "incredibly difficult".
"I will miss the children the most," he said.
"The governors have given me free reign and with their support, and that of the staff, we have built a school we can be proud of. I mean how many schools are there with a zoo in the foyer, that has produced over 125,000 eggs, and has a honey harvest every year?
"It has been a difficult decision but I will not miss balancing a budget. I was trained as a teacher and yet am expected to find a shortfall of between £70,000 - £100,000 this year. This is an unreasonable expectation and the 'powers that B' need to realise this.
"Schools are expected to maintain and strive to improve standards but with depleting funds, this is becoming increasingly difficult."
As well as the King's visit, other memories Mr Jones will take away with him include two visits from BBC Countryfile and maintaining the school as a 'Platinum Eco School.'
"Some of my highlights are being able to make the school unique and that the children that leave here are resilient and confident prepared for the world," Mr Jones said.
"Also, our links with schools across the world. Once we had a school on every continent (and a research station in Antarctica) joining our potato trap project.
"Enterprise has been at the heart of our curriculum from school projects offering zoo workshops, selling eggs and honey. Now every class has a school enterprise, even Vegan honey.
"The King's visit was surreal. I remember being invited to Clarence House and meeting him as part of WWF Green School of the Year award as he is a patron and he expressed an interest in visiting the school. Then the invitations came rolling in.
"I was invited to the palace then an invitation arrived to his home in Llandovery.
"When he arrived he turned to me and said – ‘you didn’t think I was serious when I said I wanted to visit did you?’
"I have a lot of respect for his conservation work and wish him well."
Egg production and having 14 bee hives are some of Mr Jones's proudest achievements.
Mr Jones said: "I mean... how many primary schools can claim to have a business producing that many eggs [125,000]? And the responsibilities and opportunities given to the children to look after and care for the zoo / farm has been a real team effort involving all staff.
"We started 17 years ago with six chickens and at the height of the project, had 150 hens as well as noisy cockerels.
"I must say I am good at starting projects but quickly move onto other areas and had it not been for Fiona Roberts, our teaching assistant who has maintained the project and comes in over weekends and holidays, this project would have ended years ago."
Mr Jones admitted the pressures on headteachers has become "unreasonable".
"I love or loved my job... I honestly never saw it as a job," he said.
"Now the demands placed on us is unreasonable. We should be allowed to get on with it without having to worry about how we will pay for support for vulnerable children in our schools."
Carl Fitter will be taking over the reins of Ysgol San Sior.
Mr Jones, whose last day will be on March 22, said: "Mr Fitter is an experienced head and I doubt he needs any advice from me. The governors at our school have allowed me to take calculated risks and have encouraged me to try new initiatives. I hope I, in turn, have always encouraged staff at the school to look outside the conventional box.
"Not many schools had a school dog and now having a school dog is commonplace and has numerous benefits for a child’s education. So my advice to Mr Fitter would be to think outside the box.
"It is also important to remember that without the secretary and the school cook, the school will fall apart.
"I sincerely hope that Mr Fitter will continue the schools ethos and vision. I am looking forward to working with him during the next few crucial weeks of transferring the school over to him."
Mr Jones is planning a quiet exit from the school.
"This is retirement but I’m always busy and I love gardening," Mr Jones said.
"I enjoy working with the team presenting Garddio a Mwy (Welsh Gardening programme). I’d love to have my own programme visiting botanical gardens around the world. I’ll continue selling tree ferns in my spare time – a project that started after a school visit to Australia.
"I’m ready for a new challenge."
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