This year we bid a fond farewell to one of our longest-serving members of staff, Mrs Johanne Mills.  Johanne was appointed to the Modern Languages Department in September 1992 and has spent her entire teaching career in Limavady Grammar School.  

For many years, Johanne was our principal teacher of German, guiding many pupils over the years through to GCSE and A Level success.  Her desire to nurture a love of languages amongst her pupils extended well beyond the classroom however, and, for a number of years, Johanne headed up our successful and long-standing German Exchange programme with Tuttlingen, as well as organising, with the help of Miss Wright, joint German-History trips to both Berlin and Munich.

In more recent years, Johanne has principally taught French where, once again, her involvement has not just been limited to the classroom, taking part in the A Level French trip to Brussels, helping out with the Modern Languages Club and, on more than one occasion,  delivering croissants and pains au chocolat to school at the crack of dawn to be ready for the annual European Day Of Languages French Breakfast.

For many years, Johanne was also in charge of the school’s Charity Committee and many pupils will have fond memories of rushing to G2 to buy a Rolo (other brands of chocolate were not, on these occasions, available!) to send to their secret, or not so secret, valentine.  What nobody ever knew is that Johanne kept a close eye on who sent and received Rolos, especially those who might not have been receiving one in return or who just needed a bit of a “pick me up”.  They were always sure to get a Rolo from “a mystery friend”.  Johanne also headed up the Shoe Box Appeal for less privileged children as well as the Christmas Hampers for the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul.  In the days before online shopping was a thing, she would have spent many hours taking the Charity Committee to local supermarkets where they would wheel trolleys around after her as, like a mother duck, she supervised the buying of Christmas treats and basic necessities for local families in need in the local community.

As a form tutor and a subject teacher, Johanne always showed a genuine interest in the welfare and well-being of pupils under her care, often identifying and showing a concern for pupils who were struggling, either emotionally or academically.  Johanne has never been one to shout about what she does but, throughout her career, she has quietly gone about doing what is in her power to make a difference to those around her and a great many pupils over the years have benefitted from her gentle, caring approach.

Johanne, you will be fondly remembered by pupils and staff alike at LGS, and particularly by your colleagues in the Modern Languages Department where your common-sense approach and words of wisdom have contributed greatly to many a department meeting.   We wish you a happy and healthy retirement and hope that you will still find time to call in and see us in the years ahead (don’t forget to bring the croissants!).

Ian Sampson