How to Write a Eulogy for Your Headteacher - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a headteacher can feel weird and heavy. They were the person who ran the place where you learned, laughed, and sometimes survived puberty. Whether you are a student asked to speak at an assembly, a colleague giving words at a funeral, or a parent representing the community, this guide gives you a clear, practical method plus examples you can adapt. We explain terms you might not know, give templates for different roles, and include tips for delivery that actually work when emotions are raw.

Who this guide is for

This article is for students, teachers, support staff, governors, parents, and alumni who have been asked to speak about a headteacher at a funeral, memorial, school assembly, or celebration of life. If you are nervous about speaking, if your relationship with the headteacher was complicated, or if you want to honor them in a way that fits the school community, you will find concrete examples and fill in the blank templates.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech given to honor someone who has died. It is personal and story based. It is not the same as an obituary. An obituary is a written notice with factual details. A eulogy tells stories, names qualities people will miss, and helps a community remember together.

Terms and acronyms you might see

• Headteacher The lead educator and manager of a school. In some countries the equivalent word is principal.
• Assembly A school gathering where students and staff meet for announcements, presentations, or to remember someone.
• Governors A group of volunteers who help oversee a school s strategy and finances. They are often involved in planning memorials.
• Obituary A published notice that announces a death and usually includes service details and brief biography.
• Order of service The schedule for a funeral or memorial, listing the sequence of readings, music and speakers. Think of it as the event program.
• Safeguarding Policies and practices schools use to protect children and vulnerable adults. Always consider safeguarding when sharing student stories or photos.
• SEN Special educational needs. If relevant to the headteacher s work, explain the acronym out loud so everyone follows.

How long should a eulogy for a headteacher be

Keep it short and focused. For a funeral, aim for three to seven minutes. For a school assembly, two to four minutes is often best. Students will struggle to concentrate for long, and staff may need time to speak as well. Short does not mean shallow. A few honest, well chosen stories often mean more than a long list of achievements.

Before you start writing

Doing a little prep makes the writing and delivery less scary.

• Check with family and school leaders Ask the headteacher s family what tone they prefer and whether there are stories they do not want shared.
• Ask about time and context Confirm how long you are expected to speak and whether you are at a funeral, a school memorial, or an assembly.
• Consider your audience Will students be present? Parents? Colleagues? Use language and stories appropriate to the mix.
• Collect short memories Ask a couple of people for one memory each. Small crowdsourcing keeps your speech fresh and communal.
• Safeguarding check If your memory involves students, check with a staff lead that it is appropriate to share publicly and that no child will be identifiable in a harmful way.

Structure that works

Use a simple, reliable shape to hold your thoughts. It will help both you and your listeners.

• Opening Say your name and your connection to the headteacher. If you are a pupil say which year you are in so people know your perspective.
• Life sketch or role sketch Briefly state who they were at school. Focus on roles like leader, mentor, disciplinarian, or community builder.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that show character. Keep them specific and sensory. Avoid inside jokes that exclude most listeners.
• Impact and values Name what the headteacher taught people or the changes they made to the school community.
• Closing Offer a simple goodbye line, a suggested action like planting a tree, or an invitation to share memories after the formal part ends.

How to choose your tone

Headteachers often sit across many relationships from pupils to trustees. Think about a tone that respects the family and includes the school community. If the headteacher loved humour, a light memory can be good. If they were private, keep things quieter. When in doubt, choose honest warmth.

Anecdotes that actually land

People remember short stories more than lists of awards. Pick memories with a setup an action and a small payoff that reveals character. A sensory detail helps like a smell or a line they always said.

Examples of effective short anecdotes

• He had a ritual of greeting students at the gate with a different tie every week. One week his tie had pizza slices on it and every child who saw him that morning grinned. He believed small acts made school feel welcoming.
• Once a storm shut the school down early. She stayed and baked cookies so the children waiting for lifts had something warm. That is how she taught care by example.
• When a lesson went wrong he would say it was a learning moment and then scribble a new plan in the staffroom. He called mistakes practice and made it OK to try again.

Addressing complex or difficult relationships

Not every teacher loved their headteacher. You can be honest without being cruel. Acknowledge complexity with dignity. Name what you learned even if the relationship was tough. If you felt wronged and the family is present, avoid airing grievances. You can say something like I did not always agree with him but I could see he cared about doing what he thought was best for the children.

Using humour the right way

Light humour often feels like permission to breathe in a heavy room. However, keep jokes kind and accessible. Avoid anything that singles out a vulnerable student or demeans someone who is grieving. Self deprecating humour works well because it invites a smile without targeting others.

What to avoid

• Avoid private staffroom gossip or disciplinary details.
• Avoid inside jokes that most of the audience will not understand.
• Avoid turning the eulogy into a political speech about school policy.
• Avoid long lists of dates and positions without a story to make them human.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Example 1: From a student 2 to 3 minute version

Hello. My name is Aisha and I am in Year 11. Mr Collins was our headteacher for the last six years. He started every morning with a joke from the noticeboard and he never missed a school play. One small thing that shows who he was happened on sports day. I pulled my hamstring and sat on the sideline feeling useless. He came over, sat next to me, and taught me a breathing trick to calm the panic. Then he put ice on my leg and stayed until my mum arrived. That is a small example but it is him in a moment. He taught me to keep trying and to be kind when someone is down. Thank you for everything, Mr Collins. We will try to make you proud.

Example 2: From a colleague at a funeral 4 to 6 minute version

Good afternoon. I am Laura and I taught English alongside Sarah for twelve years. As headteacher she had a clear sense of fairness. She could be firm and she could be silly. I remember the staff training day when she turned up in a dinosaur costume because the children had earned reward points for reading more books that term. She wanted school to be a place of joy not just achievement. She supported countless teachers through exams, baby leaves and hard times. She believed in merit and in mercy. Her legacy is a staffroom where people look out for one another and a school that opens doors for students who would otherwise be left behind. Thank you, Sarah, for your stubborn care.

Example 3: From a parent at a school memorial 3 minute version

Hi, I am Tom, Ellie s dad. The reason I am here is simple. When my daughter was anxious about maths she asked for help and your headteacher arranged a lunchtime tutor. That small act changed how she felt about school. When you are a parent you notice the quiet moves that make a school feel safe. We are grateful for those moves. Thank you for believing in our kids and for believing school could do better every year.

Example 4: Short assembly tribute suitable for younger pupils

Hello everyone. I am Mrs Patel and I teach Year 2. Today we remember Mr Singh. He loved bright socks and reading to children. He once read a whole chapter with silly voices because the class could not stop giggling. He wanted you to feel that books are adventures. If you have a quiet moment this week ask your teacher to tell a story and remember him by sharing a laugh.

Fill in the blank templates

Use the template that fits your role. Replace bracketed text with your details and read it out loud to see what feels natural.

Template A: Student short

My name is [Your Name] and I am in Year [X]. [Headteacher s name] was our headteacher. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. That moment taught me [value or lesson]. I will miss [what you will miss]. Thank you for everything.

Template B: Staff or colleague

I am [Your Name] and I worked with [Headteacher s name] in [subject or role]. They led our school by [short description of leadership style]. One moment that captures them was [brief story]. Because of them we [impact or change]. Today we remember their care and commitment and we will try to keep doing the work they loved.

Template C: Parent or governor

My name is [Your Name] and I serve as [parent governor parent]. I got to know [Headteacher s name] through [context]. They always [small habit]. One example of their care was [brief story]. On behalf of our families I want to say thank you for making our school a place where children belong.

Practical tips for delivery

• Write in your speaking voice If it sounds like something you would say to a friend it will sound genuine at the microphone.
• Keep a printed copy Use large font and line spacing. Index cards with one idea per card work well for emotional moments.
• Pause and breathe Mark places to pause for applause or to collect yourself. Pauses give the audience time to feel the words.
• Practice out loud Read it to a friend, a pet, or into your phone. Listening to a recording helps you spot awkward phrases.
• Have a backup If you think you might not finish, arrange for a colleague to step in and finish the final sentence. Agree on a short hand signal beforehand.
• Mind your microphone Keep it a few inches from your mouth and speak at a steady volume. If there is no mic project slowly to the back row.
• Bring tissues and water You may need both and it is fine to take a small pause to sip water.

Including students respectfully

If students will speak or be part of a slideshow check with the family and safeguarding lead first. Avoid using full names of pupils in public memorials and do not share details that might identify vulnerable students. Short quotes drawn from class work or a simple group reading of a poem often works well and feels inclusive.

Music, readings and school rituals

Short readings and songs can help a community grieve together. Choose pieces the headteacher loved or that match the school s values. Keep readings brief. If you include a poem make it a short excerpt and inform the family and officiant in advance.

Logistics and who to tell

• Confirm with the funeral director or event organiser how long you may speak and where you will stand.
• Give a copy of your remarks to the person running the service in case they need it for the order of service.
• Check with school leaders about whether the eulogy will be included in a printed program or recorded for families who cannot attend.

When you want to cry while reading

If tears come that is human. Pause, breath, and look down at your notes. Take your time and continue when ready. If your voice breaks, slow down. Saying fewer words more slowly often carries more feeling than trying to rush through.

How to share the eulogy afterward

People will often ask for a copy. Offer to email it to the school community or upload it to a closed area on the school website. Check with the family before posting anything publicly. A typed version can be added to a memory book or shared with alumni.

Glossary of useful school related terms

• Headteacher The person in charge of running the school. Some places say principal.
• Assembly A gathering of students and staff for announcements or special events.
• Governors Volunteers who help lead the school s strategy and governance.
• Safeguarding Systems to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.
• SEN Special educational needs. Services and support for children who learn differently.
• Order of service The printed plan for a funeral or memorial listing what will happen and who will speak.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a eulogy for a headteacher be

For a funeral aim for three to seven minutes. For a school assembly two to four minutes is usually best. Short, focused words often land more clearly with mixed audiences.

What if I am a student and nervous about speaking

Start with your name and which year you are in. Practicing a short opening sentence will calm you. Keep your remarks simple and honest. If you need a moment ask a teacher to stand nearby to support you.

Do I need permission to share stories about pupils

Yes. Always check with the school s safeguarding lead and the family before sharing stories that include students. Protect identities and avoid sharing anything that might be embarrassing or harmful.

Can I include humour

Yes, as long as it is kind and accessible. A light memory that shows the headteacher s personality often helps people breathe. Avoid anything that might single out or embarrass someone present.

Who should approve the eulogy

Check with the headteacher s family and the person organising the service. For school based events also talk to the headteacher s senior leadership team or governors to confirm tone and logistics.

Can pupils take part in the funeral service

Yes but coordinate with family, the school and safeguarding staff. Prepare pupils in age appropriate ways and avoid putting young children in an overly emotional role.

Should I include achievements and awards

Brief achievements are useful as context but ground them in stories. Saying they opened a new library is stronger if followed by a small anecdote about a child who discovered a love of reading there.