Former headteacher, 94, reunited with colleagues and students at Cambridgeshire care home

 

A care home in Cambridgeshire hosted a touching reunion for one of the residents.

94-year-old John Rhodes, a former headteacher and resident at Care UK’s Field Lodge Care Home in St Ives, was recently reunited with many of his former students, colleagues and friends, in an event celebrating the impact made by John during his tenure.

John, who was headteacher of St Ivo School between 1973 and 1993, was deeply moved by the turnout, which included former students and staff, some of whom hadn’t seen him in decades. The reunion was a chance for them to reconnect, reminisce about their school days, and show their appreciation for John’s dedication to education and his community.

The reunion, which was attended by 65 of John’s former colleagues and students, featured a collection of class photos and picture frames on display and refreshments of homemade shortbread and cookies made by Head Chef, Donna. Guests enjoyed the facilities of Field Lodge, showcasing the vibrant and welcoming environment that John now calls home.

Reflecting on his special day, John said: “I had a memorable time. I reconnected with people I haven’t seen since I retired. I cannot thank the team at Field Lodge enough for their hospitality in making the event a huge success and extend my warmest gratitude to everyone who attended.”

Linda Martinez, Home Manager at Field Lodge, said: “It’s been an honour to host this special reunion for John. It was heartwarming to witness the connections rekindled, and it meant a lot to John that so many people came to see him. This is a testament to the lasting impact John has had on so many lives during his career.”

Field Lodge is a modern, purpose-built care home providing full-time residential, nursing, and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has a choice of lounges and dining rooms, as well as its own activity room, cinema and hair salon.