Mr Flower, 61, regularly enjoyed a session on court with staff and pupils to unwind after a week's work as head teacher.

Mr Flower has said goodbye to St Paul's Catholic College at Burgess Hill after 13 years as head.

During that time he moved St Paul's from Haywards Heath to Burgess Hill, recently recouped half of a £1million deficit from the Government, and saw excellent exam "league table" results.

But he says his best memories are of the warmth of staff and children.
Mr Flower said: "My wife summed it up when she said at a farewell gathering for me that I am so lucky to have been in a job where I got up every morning looking forward to going to work.

"I have loved every minute of it. To be a teacher is great privelege, and to be a head teacher is a great job.

"Obviously in some parts of this country the job can be very challenging.

"In our school the vast majority of children are an absolute delight and a pleasure to work with. I shall miss their 'hellos' and 'good mornings' especially."

The school was judged outstanding in 2007 and claimed a top five spot in GCSE tables nationally last year and Mr Flower believes moving to Burgess Hill was a springboard.

No successor to Mr Flower has yet been appointed.

For the full story, see the April 9 edition of the Mid Sussex Times.