Memorial garden for Dinnington teacher

More than £2,000 has already been raised for the garden which is being created in memory of Mark Lovett, on the school’s former swimming pool site.

Mr Lovett, who had worked at the school for 33 years, died of a heart attack at his Worksop home on 15th December - just days before his 55th birthday.

Following his death, tributes from all corners of the community were paid to the father-of-three, while flowers, sports shirts and messages of condolence covered the stage in the school hall.

Now pupils have decided to create a lasting memorial to the sports mad teacher in the heart if the school campus.

Headteacher Paul Blackwell said: “It came quite quickly after Mark’s death.”

“The pupils said that they wanted to do something at the school as a lasting memorial.”

“They came up with the idea of a garden on the former swimming pool site, which is in the heart of the school.”

“One boy came up with the idea for the central part which is going to be a rugby ball inside a football inside a rugby ball, so it will look a bit like an eye. It is symbolic of him continuing to look over the school.”

“Over a period of years the idea is that other garden areas will be built around it, but the central part will be in memory of Mark.”

“The whole idea for it has come from the students.”

“I’m sure it will be a fitting and lasting tribute to a very popular teacher who is very much missed.”

Mr Blackwell said it is hoped that work will begin on the garden in the summer holidays with the hope that it will be open during the last week of the autumn term - the first anniversary of Mr Lovett’s death.

On 12th July the whole school is planning to come together to remember Mr Lovett.

A sport day involving all the year groups is taking place in the morning, while in the afternoon the school is being opened up for the community to visit and enjoy various stalls and activities.

“It’s called Love Mr Lovett Day and we’ve been working with Mark’s family to organise it,” added Mr Blackwell.

“It’s an opportunity to raise as much money as possible for the memorial garden.”

Mr Lovett, joined the school in January 1979 and in 1983 joined the school’s pastoral team - where he remained for the rest of his career.