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21
Dec 2023
Ripon Grammar School teacher Helen Mackenzie retires after 18 years
A Ripon Grammar School PE teacher will retire after 18 years in post tomorrow.
Helen Mackenzie began working at the school in 2006. She was director of sport for all Ripon schools, including the former Ripon College (now Outwood Academy), as well as 19 other primary schools surrounding the city.
However, after going part-time and focussing her efforts solely on Ripon Grammar 10 years ago, she said "the time has come" to retire and spend more time with her husband.
Ms Mackenzie, who is an England Netball level 3 coach, has taught a wide range of sports at Ripon Grammar, where she was formerly a pupil until 1986. These include netball, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, football, basketball, dance and aerobics – and that’s all in one day.
Asked about her favourite memory during her time as a teacher, Ms Mackenzie she had “far too many” to mention. But she did recount leading the netball team to qualify for the national school’s netball competition in 2015, where the girls placed fourth in the country:
Ms Mackenzie has “never been an elitist”, she added, and said her main priority is pupils enjoying being physically active.
Ms Mackenzie was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. She said one pupil’s comment helper her mental health “no end” during the “worst time of her life":
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What's next?
Ms Mackenzie's life shows little sign of slowing down in semi-retirement.
She is also a deputy housemistress of the girls’ boarding house at Ripon Grammar School, which she will continue to do after stepping down as a teacher.
Ms Mackenzie said:
She won the British Citizen Award for outstanding work tackling food poverty, through her charity, and encouraging sport in 2021. The same year she won the Stray Ferret community awards Harry's Heroes for her work helping disadvantaged families.
Back to Basics, which was founded in 2019, provides free ingredients and guidance for a cheap and nutritious meal to those in need.
Ms Mackenzie, whose mother Sylvia Grice died this year, said she hopes to invest more time into the initiative following retirement.
She also runs Ripon City Netball Club – which she set up 10 years ago – as well as Ripon Swimming Academy. She said:
Ms Mackenzie’s final day at Ripon Grammar School will be tomorrow.
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