“…There is a joke that ‘School is a place of detention for children placed in the care of teachers who are afraid of the Principal, Principals who are afraid of the School Board, School Boards who are afraid of the parents, parents who are afraid of the children, and children who are afraid of nobody’.”

Then smile at the departing Principal : “…But in your regime, Sir/Madam/Miss, you proved a real inspiration to us, your young wards. You helped us, your pupils, to discover our limitations, and utilise our talents to overcome them. You liberated our minds by the stimulating influences that you imparted…”

Now deliver the final punch-line : “…And for your gift of making us better pupils, who will grow up into better people, we all join in unison, and say ‘Thanks a trillion !’…”

:-))

Best of Luck, dear.