"In the context of QEHS, there have been huge challenges, but the past five and a half years have been uniquely exhilarating and enormously satisfying…" These were the words of a proud Mr. Tim Day talking of the school that he has steered as headteacher since 2005, but has now sadly retired from due to poor health.
Mr Day was born in Croesyceiliog, Gwent, as one of five children. He was brought up within a working class family.
His mother's parents were struggling dairy farmers and his father's father was a doubler for the Pontypool Tinplate Works where he received very low wages.
Mr Day's upbringing embraced two extremes of the Welsh economic history: both rural and industrial Wales.
The Days left their council home in Croesyceiliog for a council estate in Hereford where he attended Broadlands Primary School in 1965 , later followed by a move to Dunvant where he continued his education in Gowerton Boys' Grammar School in 1969.
London University was the next destination in 1979, where Mr Day studied history and politics. However, in 1982 he 'saw the light' and decided to move to Bangor University to pursue teacher training before achieving a masters degree in education from Swansea University.
Mr Day had a diverse range of options when applying for his first teaching post since the options were: Bermuda, Botswana, the Bahamas or….. Burry Port!! He obviously felt drawn to locations beginning with a B!
Well, it so happened that the first school to offer Mr Day his first teaching post in 1983 was the very exotic Burry Port, and so began the first year of a long and successful teaching career.
Not long after commencing his teaching career, Mr Day got married to Helen in 1985 and they began their married lives in Burry Port before moving to Llanelli in 1988 and then Five Roads in 2005.
Helen made it her mission to teach her husband the Welsh language as she was born and bred in Lampeter and is a first language Welsh speaker.
She was very successful in her mission and as a result, Mr Day, along with their three sons, is a fluent Welsh speaker, and very pleased to be so.
During 1994-1997, Mr Day was appointed as deputy head at Maesydderwen School, Powys, before moving back to Burry Port to commence his role as head teacher within Ysgol Glan-y-Mor. It was in 2005 that Mr Day was appointed headteacher here at QE High, and where he remained until the beginning of this year.
Unfortunately, having previously always enjoyed good health, Mr Day was taken ill suddenly during July 2008, which was a critical period for QE High since the new buildings were being officially handed over in the August.
Having been admitted to hospital, Mr Day was diagnosed with a serious heart problem called idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Treatment involved medication and surgery, which allowed Mr Day to return in the February of 2009. This was followed with more surgery in London during June 2009, forcing a lengthy absence.
It was at this point that Mr Day was advised to retire.
Mr. Day said: "This was not an easy step to take because I was fortunate to have worked in a job which I enjoyed so much."
Determined to remain as head of QE High in the job he loved so much, Mr Day stayed with us until the beginning of this year, when continued ill health meant that he really had no choice but to retire.
And so to the future. Mr Day says that he has no specific plans for retirement.
He is certain, however, that there will be a lot more involved other than just rest and recuperation, and June will see a trip to see Roger Waters performing The Wall.
There are plans to read the novels of CJ Sansom, and histories such as Jerusalem: The Biography. Walking, writing, and listening to an eclectic mix of music from classical to his beloved rock, is also on the cards, and Planet Rock will be the chosen radio station to accompany his many activities.
Gardening is also a passion, and Mr Day has recently secured an allotment, which his sons will most certainly be helping with.
"Although they don't know that yet!", said Mr Day. They certainly will know now though, Mr Day!
Looking back over his career, Mr Day feels he has been very privileged to have been involved in the education of more than 8,000 young people in three different schools and helping to build a success culture in those schools.
He states that his main influences in life have been faith — Bible based. Family and friends — which he has worked hard to nurture, and the future — having a keen interest in education as a way of improving individually as well as contributing to society. Although not a recipe for guaranteed success, Mr Day feels that these influences have certainly been central to his own success as well as being encouragement for others to apply themselves.
We here at QE High wish all the very best for Mr Day in the future, and would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his continuous dedication and encouragement. Mr Day said: "I have a faith that a bright future beckons for QEHS." We have that faith for you too, Mr Day. We wish you a very happy and fruitful retirement.
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