TRIBUTES have been flooding into the Argus from the moment we first reported news of the death of Sue Jenkins, head teacher of St Joseph’s High School in Newport yesterday.

The sheer number of messages and their warmth illustrates the respect in which this teacher was held by so many people.

It also shows the lasting impact she has had on the lives of so many pupils, former pupils and staff which is a fantastic legacy for a school head.

Her passing marks the end of a long battle Miss Jenkins had with the cancer she had once thought she had beaten.

Working at St Joseph’s for more than 20 years she turned her school into a beacon of excellence for educational standards across Wales, receiving seven grade ones in all of the Estyn questions in spring 2007 and gaining the school a badge of honour that was to last.

Only last year inspectors rated the school’s performance and prospects for improvement as excellent.

Highly respected and influential, Miss Jenkins was known for her selflessness and for always putting her pupils first.

Miss Jenkins was an inspiration to so many and it came as no surprise when she was awarded an OBE for her extraordinary services to education.

She will be much missed and we send our condolences to her family, friends and to the very many people whose lives she has touched.