Alison Hopkinson, a 64-year-old dinner lady and cook at Greenfield St Mary’s in Oldham, was recently honored for her 40 years of service at the school. She first started working at the school when her son began attending in 1984. To celebrate her dedication, a special assembly was held with messages from Jamie Oliver and MasterChef winner Simon Wood.
Having grown up in the area and attended the same primary school as a child, Hopkinson expressed her joy and fulfillment in her role. She emphasized that every day working with children is a unique experience and that she has thoroughly enjoyed her time at the school.
The headteacher, Susan Hall, praised Hopkinson for embodying the school’s values of safety, care, achievement, respect, and friendliness. Despite the changes in school lunches over the years to offer healthier options, children still love her traditional meat pie.
Receiving a letter from Jamie Oliver and being surprised by the assembly in her honor, Hopkinson was touched and emotional. While she hasn’t decided on retirement yet, she jokingly mentioned that she only has two more Christmas lunches to go before considering it.
Her colleagues find humor in her potential retirement plans, suggesting that she may just show up at the school door on a Monday morning out of habit. Hopkinson’s dedication and impact on generations of children have been recognized and celebrated, highlighting her invaluable contribution to the school community.
