THE 20-year stay of Joe Alsop at St Augustine's will come to an end after the headteacher announced he will take up a new job in Hong Kong.

Mr Alsop will finish his two-decade long stint at the Trowbridge secondary school next August, after being appointed headteacher at Senior School at Kellet, a British International School.

He joined the school as head of geography in 1998 and had only planned to stay for four years but as he enjoyed working there so much, he extended his stay by another 16 years.

"I can hardly believe that this is my 20th Year at St Augustine’s. I enjoyed working at the school so much I have stayed quite a bit longer but it is probably a good time to move on before I do overstay my welcome," said Mr Alsop.

"In many ways the school has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years with three new buildings and countless refurbishments, but these are really only cosmetic differences.

"What really matters is the ethos of the school and that has not changed one bit and is the reason I have stayed so long. The pupils that we turn out are happy, confident young men a women with a true sense of self-worth who care for one another and are willing to reach out to those less fortunate.

"Moving abroad to Hong Kong with my wife and children is going to be a great challenge for us all on many levels but the school that I join has many similarities with St Augustine’s and so I know that we will all be made to feel very welcome.

"Of course I will miss St Augustine’s a great deal but I don’t leave for another nine months and so I can enjoy and cherish the time that I have left.

"I am confident that the school governors will appoint a new head teacher who has the skills and qualities to build on the schools many successes and maintain St Augustine’s enviable reputation in the community and South West."