A RETIRING headteacher has spoken of her "wonderful memories" after spending more than three decades at the same Barnet school.

Mary Karaolis' commitment to Ravenscroft School, in Barnet Lane, was recognised at a celebration party on Friday night, attended by teachers, MPs, councillors and community leaders.

The 62-year-old joined Ravenscroft as deputy headteacher in 1975. When she took over as head in 1999, the school was struggling, but within a decade she had turned its fortunes around, achieving two "outstanding" Ofsted reports in 2008.

This year she was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her outstanding work in education.

Speaking after the event, Mrs Karaolis said: "It's the end of one chapter of my life and the beginning of another.

"It's time to move on. I feel I have achieved what I wanted to achieve, and can now continue with my school improvement partner work without having to worry about getting up at 6am every morning.

"I have lots of fantastic memories of my students and colleagues, but I know I'm leaving the school in good hands.

"It has been a privilege and a source of much happiness and enjoyment to have been at The Ravenscroft School for so many years."

The veteran teacher began her career 40 years ago at Sir John Cass's Foundation and Red Coat Church of England School, in Stepney, after graduating from London University.

Since joining Ravenscroft, she has become a member of the National College for School Leaders, a School Improvement Partner for four schools in Haringey and has worked tirelessly to champion the cause of the Greek Cypriot community.

Paul Ferrie, currently deputy head of East Barnet School, in Chestnut Grove, will take over as headteacher in September.