Best Resource Centre at Stanborough School

8 November 2001

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On Wednesday 7 November a brand new learning facility was opened at Stanborough Secondary School. The "Best Learning Resource Centre" was named after Mrs Kay Best, who has served as accountant and receptionist at the school for the last 25 years. Following a programme of music, tributes and presentations in the school's assembly hall, Mrs Best officially opened the new Resource Centre at 10.45 am by cutting a red ribbon which had been fixed across the door.

In the various speeches and comments which were made, both to the student body and to the smaller group which was taken into the Resource Centre itself, few could resist the obvious play on words contained in the name of the new facility. The Best Learning Resource Centre certainly is very good and will no doubt be of great benefit to students and staff alike, but the adjective 'best' really only applies properly to Mrs Kay Best, or 'Sister Best' as she is affectionately known. Over the years hundreds, if not thousands of students have been touched by Sister Best's love and concern. She has become a highly valued member of staff at Stanborough School and as a parent she provides a role model for all to follow. Mrs Best's husband, together with their three children, their spouses, and a number of grandchildren, were present for the opening ceremony.

One of Mrs Best's qualities, which was emphasised in a number of speeches, was her discipline. In an age when strict, but good and fair discipline is sometimes hard to come by, Mrs Best stands out as an example of good practice. Many of the students who spoke of her had obviously overstepped the mark with Mrs Best at some point in their past education, yet all were able to speak of her with affection and genuine love. Perhaps the naming of a component part of Stanborough School after her is symbolic of the way that the school embodies the values which Mrs Best stands for.

BUC representatives present for the opening ceremony included Pastor Cecil Perry (President), Mr Keith Davidson (Education director), Pastor Des Boldeau (Youth director), Pastor John Surridge (Communication director), and Mrs Jacquei Johnson (former Education secretary). Also in attendance were members of the Hertfordshire Schools Library Service as well as the now retired Mrs Audrey Powell, another well loved receptionist and mother figure at Stanborough School.