From Paintbrushes to Pastry – A Fond Farewell to Mrs Cowell

After 24 years’ service at Priory as an Art teacher and then Food Technology teacher, as well as being Vice Principal, Mrs Cowell is hanging up her paint brushes and apron, and retiring.

“I think you reach a point in your career where you think ‘what’s next?’ and I always think you should leave on a high. Having just had the latest Ofsted inspection and maintaining our ‘Good’ rating I’m leaving on that high. The judgement reflects the hard work of everyone at Priory and it’s testament to the fantastic staff, a team I’ve been instrumental in forming and guiding, making Priory as amazing as it is.

“We have created a challenging and strong curriculum and achieved such a lot in the 24 years I have been here. Now I think it’s time for someone else to take the teaching and learning reins to take the next steps.”

Mrs Cowell said she loved Art at school which also, quite unusually, led to a passion for baking.

“Baking is something I have done since I was a child. I had an amazing art teacher in a chap called Mr Taylor. When I was around 14 he set a task to ‘make a cake that’s not a cake.’ I made a tortoise and it has sparked a passion in me. It wasn’t just the baking, although what’s inside is important, but it was about the sculpture too.

“I went on to study Fine Art, specialising in Sculpture, at university which is why I became an art teacher first.

“Then around five years ago, I made the transition to Food Technology teacher after Ms Lewis-Lavender retired. It was a great opportunity and I have learnt so much from doing it and loved sharing my passion for cooking and baking with the pupils.”

Before becoming a teacher, Mrs Cowell worked for five years at a psychiatric hospital before going into teaching in her late 20s.

“Some people said it was good grounding! I enjoyed it and I have some unusual stories from my time there. I actually have a British Amateur Weight-Lifting certificate as I had to train to take patients into the gym!

“I was thinking about the ambulance service or occupational therapy before taking that job in occupational therapy, but a number of people in my family were teachers – my mum and grandma were teachers – so I decided to take that route and I guess I have never looked back.”

After three years as an Art teacher in Colne, Mrs Cowell came to Priory as Head of Art in September 2001.  In 2014, she was appointed Vice Principal and more recently she has become a Food Technology teacher as well. Anyone who has seen and tasted Mrs Cowell’s creations knows how talented she is at this!

“I have never been overly ambitious,” said Mrs Cowell. 

“I came to Priory and became Head of Art but I never had a big ambition to be a head teacher or anything like that, I have just seized opportunities which have come my way.

“I have done such a lot since I have been at Priory. I have taught art, I was part of the teacher training process as a professional mentor for trainee teachers. I’ve been a Head of House and an Assistant Head – I think I have only missed out Head of Year!

“I have always been dedicated to teaching since I came into the profession – it’s always been about what is best for the pupils.”

Mrs Cowell has looked into becoming a Youth Leader in September but is still considering her future.

“I won’t miss the traffic from Blackburn! I will, of course, miss the staff and the pupils though, and teaching Food Technology.

“I have so many funny stories I could tell about the pupils but I won’t embarrass anyone. Teenagers are hilarious and a lot of fun to work with! There have been so many positive memories and I have made friends for life. It’s been a big part of my life and I’m honoured that I have had the opportunity to play my part in making Priory the brilliant school it is.”

Mrs Cowell has donated an olive tree which will be planted by gardener Mr Faron in Priory’s gardens symbolising knowledge and giving a nod to her Greek heritage and her passion for food teaching. Who knows, it might grow big enough for pupils to sit under and draw too!

On Wednesday, 9 July after school, staff and special guests gathered for a valedictory celebration in the Priory Garden where they enjoyed coffee and cake. Our MaBaL (Music at Break and Lunch) during the week was also entirely chosen by Mrs Cowell and included such classics as Aretha Franklin’s ‘Respect’, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The French Prince’s ‘Summertime’ and Nora Jones’ ‘Come Away with Me’.