TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted teacher who was “full of life and spark”.

Lisa Woods, a teacher at Castle Hill Junior School, lost her five-year battle with a brain tumour on August 18, aged 36.

Today, Di Gooding, who was headteacher at Murrayfield Primary School when Lisa’s teaching career began, paid tribute to the woman who could “forge a relationship” with anyone.

“It soon became obvious that Lisa was a born teacher,” she said. “The children loved her – so did everyone who came into contact with her.”

She added: “She always expected the best from her children, and got it. She is a great loss to the teaching profession and an even greater one to those of us who knew and lover her.”

Friend Sally Davey paid tribute to a “fantastic teacher” and a “very good role model”.

She said: “Lisa was the best friend I ever had. She was an amazing woman, so full of life and spark. She always made me laugh when I was feeling down over many a glass of wine or two. I love you dearly.”

Having started her teaching career at Murrayfield – Lisa took the opportunity to travel, leaving to teach in Santiago, Chile in August 2006. Eleven months later, after being taken ill in the South American country, doctors diagnosed Lisa’s brain tumour.

She was flown back to the UK straight away to start radiotherapy treatment at Ipswich Hospital.

Within a year, she was back at work part-time.

After four good years, her disease returned last year she underwent chemotherapy at Ipswich Hospital’s Somersham Ward.

She died peacefully at Handford House nursing home.

n What are your memories of Lisa Woods? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN