Lavender Hill High School on Thursday paid tribute to two long-serving teachers who are retiring by hosting a breakfast party at the school.
Deputy principal Fredaline Stain taught Consumer Studies, Maths and Maths Literacy for 29 years at the school, while teacher Nasera Dyason, who taught Afrikaans and Tourism, is putting down her chalk after 35 years.
Principal Fuad Viljoen says the duo worked selflessly for the betterment of the school and upliftment of learners.
“They would come to extra classes on weekends, work overtime until after 5pm during the week and still be kind and willing to help with incoming staff.”
Ms Stain, 67, from Kuils River, says she’s looking forward to starting a new life in Elim.
“I am glad I won’t have to wake up at 5am and sit in traffic anymore,” she laughs.
“It hasn’t been easy working in a gang-affected community but not a single day I woke up scared to go to classes.
“I will miss my days at school.”
Ms Dyason from Grassy Park says she feels a bit overwhelmed.
“I am so used to waking up and coming to school, I fail to imagine what it’s going to be like in January when I am supposed to return to my second home of 35 years,” she says.
“I’ll look for other opportunities in education and hopefully get to travel once we’re cleared of risks associated with Covid-19.”
She says her best moments as a teacher were when her classes achieved 100% pass rates and seeing her ex-learners succeed in life.