TRIBUTES have been paid to former Churcher’s College Junior School (CCJS) headteacher Seona Rivett.

Seona had bowel/liver cancer and died 15 months after diagnosis.

She had a husband, David Rivett, and two children, Jessica and Alex.

Seona had been headteacher at CCJS for 20 years and a member of staff at the school for 25 years. She retired in 2013.

Seona built the junior school from a small independent house until it grew too big for its site and in 2003 the school moved from Petersfield to Liphook.

CCJS deputy headteacher Philipa Yugin-Power said: “Seona had high standards from her staff and pupils but always had a smile and a reassuring ear. Her real passion was English, poetry and drama – particularly adaptations of Shakespeare.”

Seona’s funeral was held at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, on Friday, May 26.

Philipa added: “As a class teacher, she was remembered as caring about each and every one of her charges, her beautiful smile and fostering a love of Shakespeare in her pupils.

“Mrs Rivett placed great value on taking education out of the classroom and pupils will remember all the amazing trips and adventures that she helped co-ordinate over the years.

“This value of the enhanced curriculum was embraced fully when we moved to Liphook with the development of the outdoor curriculum that she gave such high regard to.

“Seona was an inspirational woman and we are all so sad that she will not have the opportunity for all the adventures she had planned for her retirement.

“However, I know that her memory will live on in each staff member who was lucky enough to work with her and each pupil who was honoured to have her as a teacher or headmistress.”