#YourStory: New principal for Pinocchio
She described herself as always happy and always laughing.
The Edenvale Pinocchio Educare Centre welcomed a new principal.
Originally from Cape Town, Ms Carmen Albertyn has taken up the position.
She has been a resident in Edenvale for three years, living in Marais Steyn Park.
She described herself as always happy and always laughing.
She said she started working at the welfare as a volunteer three years ago and only planned to work on certain days.
“My children were always my priority and I wasn’t planning to work full-time,” she said.
When she relocated from her home town, she asked around because she wanted to work within the community.
While living in Cape Town, Carmen worked with children who had special needs which included drug abuse as well as alcohol addiction.
When she heard about the welfare she knew she wanted to volunteer in any way possible.
“When I arrived at the welfare I met the late principal Ms Cheralle Beddar. She was an amazing woman and always set great examples for me,” she said.
She said she was honoured to have worked with Cheralle before she died.
During her voluntary time, Carmen implemented and gave puzzle classes on a Tuesday and Thursday until she was asked to come in every day.
“I worked close by her side as a volunteer when she asked me to come in more often because she needed my help. I became her right hand and I learnt so much from Cheralle,” she said.
Carmen grew fond of Pinocchio and became a grade R teacher at the school.
She said she gives her all for the children to ensure they receive everything they need.
She has become passionate about working for the centre and said it means the world to her when the children are learning as well as having fun.
“The education and well-being of the children is important to me but what brings me the most joy is when the children say ‘goodbye ma’am I’ll see you tomollow’. It reassures me that what I am doing for the children is enough because they are happy,” she said.
Carmen said taking up the position of principal will have its challenges, but she is more than capable of managing the responsibility. She said the only adjustment she needs to get used to is constantly being busy and not being able to be outside all the time to play with the children.
“To fill the footsteps of Cheralle is huge but I know I will find my own feet and continue the legacy she has left at the school,” she said.
She said their paths crossed at the school at the right time and looks forward to the future of the school.
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