The evening proved quit overwhelming for Headmistress Mrs Jarmila Tajzler. Acting head of St Mary's for the past two-and a-half years, the Czechoslovakian-born teacher who moved to Burton Latimer 33 years ago was the focus of attention. Mrs Tajzler took centre stage after a short service conducted by chairman of the governors Canon Edward Pitt, and the presentation of books by the Rev Stan Marriott to 32 leaving pupils.

She first presented a cheque for £102.95 to Mr Marriott, area organiser of the Church of England Children's Society. The cash, raised on May Day, will go to Charnwood House, a home for multi-handicapped children in Leicestershire. Then she received £150 from Mr Douglas Ashby, chairman of the 400th anniversary festival committee. The fundswill go towards the infants'department - of which Mrs Tajzler will be head - at the new school.

Mr Ashby also presented a £100 cheque to Mrs Andrea Batey, secretary of the Burton Latimer appeal committee for the Church of England Childrens' Society. A colour television was another gift - again to be used by Mrs Tajzler and her three colleagues from St Mary's new infants' department. The TV was presented by Mrs Sylvia Wright, treasurer of the now wound-up Friends of St Mary's.

Numerous tributes, gifts and words of praise followed. School governors, represented by former pupils Caroline Mutlow (9), her 11-year-old sister, Julia and Mrs Pitt gave personal presents. They presented her with a flower arrangement, an illuminated address prepared by parochial church council member Mr George Linnell, sherry glasses and a decanter. The decanter was engraved with a picture of St Mary's by Aldwinkle craftsman Mr Terence Hodgkins.

Other presentations were made to teachers Mrs Ruth Tilton, Mrs Jennifer Mossop and Mrs Sylvia Fiske, school meals assistant/cleaner Mrs Joyce Whitney, caretaker Mrs Jessis Austin, assistant caretaker Mrs Jill Clarke and school meals assistants Mrs Sue Watts and Mrs Gerry York.