Coventry: Dinner lady who served over one million meals retires

Sheila with pupils

A dinner lady who has lovingly served up one million meals over four decades at a Coventry primary school has been given an emotional retirement send off by pupils.

Coventry great grandmother Sheila Rendall has retired after 39 years at Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, where she is estimated to have cooked around one million meals.

Sheila joined the school on Spring Road in January 1987, just a few months before Coventry City lifted the FA Cup and Margaret Thatcher secured a third term in office.

Sheila said she plans to spend her retirement travelling around the UK with her husband Stuart as well as helping to raise her five grandchildren and great grandchild.

The lifelong Coventry resident, who said Mac and Cheese had become her signature school dinner dish over the last few years, was presented with flowers and a personalised rolling pin by pupils to say thank you.

Sheila said: "A lot has changed in the last 39 years but it's always been a case of if the children are happy, then I'm happy, so I've always tried to make sure the food looks and tastes great. There is rightly much more of a focus on providing nutritious meals compared to when I first started.

"There have been so many highlights, but seeing the Christmas celebrations each year, cooking festive meals and hearing the children sing will stand out as my fondest moments - it's quite a magical place to be at that time of year and I'll certainly miss it.

"I've felt at home since day one and have always been supported by everyone around me over the years, which I'm incredibly grateful for. I've had a brilliant last few days and I'm going to miss everyone, but I'm looking forward to retirement."

Michael Kirby, Principal at Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, said: "Sheila has been a tremendous asset to Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School over the years and we will be sorry to see her go.

"She will be missed by staff and pupils alike and we wish her the very best for her retirement."