Eight-year-old Freddie Rouget got buried in the sand yesterday as the whole of St Andrew’s Primary School decamped to L’Eree for a beach party to mark head teacher Mary Sebire’s retirement. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0805945)

ST ANDREW’S PRIMARY head teacher Mary Sebire was treated to a day at the beach by her entire school yesterday.

After 10 years in the post, it is Miss Sebire’s last day on Friday and yesterday more than 100 pupils, their younger siblings and parents joined her at L’Eree for a day of activities.

Morning events included a sandcastle competition and a scavenger hunt.

The afternoon saw children make presentations to Miss Sebire to remind her of certain events.

She had planned to retire last summer but delayed that to help save the school from closure as the Education Department reviewed spending.

Surrounded by a sea of children, she said she had no idea what they had planned.

‘I had a series of surprises to unwrap, which led to an invitation to the beach – and I didn’t know all the parents were coming.

‘It’s really great and I’ve been given a little parcel of things for the beach – a fan, flags for sandcastles and a Frisbee,’ she said.

Miss Sebire, a teacher for 40 years, said it being her last week at school felt strange but added that it was a great way to spend a Monday.