A Darlington primary school held an afternoon of fun last week to say goodbye to the nun who has been its headteacher for the past 12 years.

The next day Sister Joan Conroy enjoyed another party, this time an emotional farewell from St Augustine's parishioners, who paid for her to have a holiday in Rome as thanks for the years of work devoted to the parish.

Later in the summer Sister Joan will be returning to the London convent she joined in 1953.

Originally from Ferryhill, Sis-ter Joan, 64, joined the Comm-unity of the Sisters of Charity in Mill Hill, before studying in Manchester.

She taught at schools around the country, including a stint as an infant teacher at the old St Augustine's School, which was in Larchfield Street.

In 1988, she returned to St Augustine's, now in Beechwood Avenue, as headteacher.

She said: "The first thing I noticed coming back was seeing the new school on this lovely green field site, with lots of mature trees. The old school had been surrounded by buildings with tiny playgrounds where the children could only stand and talk to each other because there was no room to play."

She said: "I've got lots of happy memories here, made lots of friends and feel very much at home here.

"I will not miss the paperwork, or the hassle that goes with it, but I will miss the children and the friendship and the parents."