Goodbye Mr Duds - School says farewell to caretaker who was there on its first day

A school caretaker who was there when it opened on its first day is beginning his retirement.
The Ribbon Academy Trust caretaker Mark Dudley retires with a goodbye from pupils.The Ribbon Academy Trust caretaker Mark Dudley retires with a goodbye from pupils.
The Ribbon Academy Trust caretaker Mark Dudley retires with a goodbye from pupils.

Mark Dudley has worked at the Ribbon Academy in Murton since it opened 13 years ago in 2006 and had worked for a decade before that at Murton Community Nursery, which merged with Murton County Primary and Jubilee Primary to create the new school in Barnes Road.

The school, who nicknamed him Mr Duds, celebrated his service to the community on his final day, with staff and children gathering in its studio space to say their final farewell to him.

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Headteacher Ashleigh Sheridan said: “We all have the very best memories of Mark, and he will certainly be a huge miss to everyone at Ribbon; his whistling, jokes, hilarious anecdotes and generally making everyone laugh.”

Mark Dudley spent 10 years working at Murton Community Nursery before moving to The Ribbon Academy, which launched in 2006.Mark Dudley spent 10 years working at Murton Community Nursery before moving to The Ribbon Academy, which launched in 2006.
Mark Dudley spent 10 years working at Murton Community Nursery before moving to The Ribbon Academy, which launched in 2006.

Mr Dudley, is leaving to set up his own photobooth venture, which he says is “exciting and frightening at the same time.”

He added: “I just wanted to say thank you to all of the staff, pupils and parents who have made my time here so enjoyable.

“I have so many amazing memories that I will treasure forever.

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“I can look at every member staff and recall times when we've had a good laugh together.

Mark Dudley has left the Ribbon Academy to launch a new business venture.Mark Dudley has left the Ribbon Academy to launch a new business venture.
Mark Dudley has left the Ribbon Academy to launch a new business venture.

“I've loved working with the children and hope that I've added a bit of fun to their days – sorry to all of the teachers for sometimes getting them hyper.

“To my colleagues keep on doing the wonderful job that you all do and to parents and children remember to make time every day for laughter.”

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