--- title: "Retirements and Farewells" url: "https://www.mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/news/2026-07-21-retirements-and-farewells" school: "Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School" --- # Retirements and Farewells ![Image of Retirements and Farewells](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/news/IMG_3259.JPG) 21 July 2026 ![](https://www.mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/images/news/IMG_3022.JPG) ![](https://www.mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/images/news/IMG_3254.JPG) Mount Carmel R.C. High School said a heartfelt goodbye to several valued members of staff at the end of the summer term. After 15 years of leadership at Mount Carmel and over 35 years in the teaching profession, Headteacher Mr Xavier Bowers has decided to retire. Mr Bowers has led the school with faith, vision, and a deep commitment, ensuring Mount Carmel has grown from strength to strength. His leadership and vision has not only just shaped an ambitious environment for learning but has also nurtured a warm family spirit. He leaves behind a lasting legacy that embodies our school strapline that will continue to inspire the Mount Carmel community for generations to come. We also celebrated the well-earned retirements of three other long-serving and dedicated members of the Mount Carmel staff: Mr John Hill (Assistant Headteacher), Mrs Elaine Peel (Academic Mentor) and Mr Peter Fielding (Site Manager) We wish Mr Bowers, Mr Hill, Mrs Peel, and Mr Fielding long, happy and healthy retirements. Alongside our retirees, we bid fond farewells to several teaching and support staff who are moving on to exciting new chapters and opportunities this summer: Mrs Kelly Sykes (Food Technology Teacher), Mrs Olivia Clayton (Teacher of R.E.), Mrs Kate Durber (English Tutor) and Miss Imogen Hall (SEND Teaching Assistant). On behalf of the governors, staff, pupils, and parents, we say a really big **thank you** to all of our leaving staff [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3015.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3015.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3016.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3016.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3022.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3022.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3216.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3216.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3222.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3222.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3228.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3228.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3238.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3238.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3240.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3240.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3243.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3243.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3244.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3244.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3249.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3249.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3254.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3254.JPG) [![](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3259.JPG)](https://files.schudio.com/mountcarmelhigh/images/gallery/retirees-july-2026/IMG_3259.JPG) [Family](https://www.mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/news/tag/family) [ Feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel](https://www.mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/news/2026-07-17-feast-day-of-our-lady-of-mount-carmel) [Welcome from our new Headteacher ](https://www.mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/news/2026-07-22-welcome-from-our-new-headteacher) ### School Life - 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