Two teachers at a primary school have been celebrating after over a quarter of a century working at an Andover school.
Carry Neale and Louise Weymouth have been at Vigo Primary School for more than 25 years, starting when it was a separate infant and junior school.
Now, Vigo has combined as one primary school, with over 550 pupils in 21 classes and is one of the largest primary schools in Andover.
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Carry Neale started at the school in 1995 as a resource provision manager specialist for speech, language and communication needs.
Twenty-nine years on and Carry is continuing to thrive in the same position, with her and teaching assistant Louise helping the school to become one of the first in the region to become a Makaton school - Makaton is a communication tool with speech, signs, and symbols to enable people with disabilities or learning disabilities to communicate.
Louise joined Vigo in 1997 and initially worked alongside Carry as a teacher assistant in her resource provision manager role. Now, she is now a teacher assistant, specifically for year six children.
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Louise has been involved in lots of aspects of the school but is best known for her commitment and involvement with the choir, which is well known in the Test Valley and has performed at various venues and events, singing and signing Makaton.
When asked what it had been like to work at the school for more than 25 years, Carry said: "It's an amazing school to work in and the children are so eager to learn and absorb information.
"It's always had a great staff team, and it's people who enjoy what they do and want to be here. Honestly, it doesn't feel like it's been that long as the role of a teacher is forever changing and developing, which keeps the role varied - no two days are the same.
"Education is such an exciting place to work."
Louise Weymouth said: "I joined the school in 1997 as a learning support assistant and moved to work within the resource provision for speech, language and communication along with Carrie after a couple of years.
"I am proud to lead the school choir, a role that I have had for many years, we use Makaton signing with all our songs. Being a member of the choir boosts the self-confidence of many of the children."
Christmas is a very busy time for the choir, we are performing at many Christmas events including Christmas lights switch on in Andover, Winchester Christmas Market as well as care homes in the local area spreading Christmas cheer to the residents. We have also performed at Armed Forces Day, various summer fetes and on Vigo's float in the Carnival."
A post on Vigo Primary School's Facebook page said: "A big congratulations and thank you to Mrs Neale and Mrs Weymouth for their dedicated service over the past 25 years!
"We hope you enjoy your celebratory service this evening. We're very lucky to have you with us at Vigo."
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