PINETOWN Boys’ High School bid farewell to educator, Sandy Reid, who retired after 42 years of service in education last week.
Sandy started teaching at a school in Pietermaritzburg in 1971. He then taught at three different high schools while studying in Durban for three years.
He was posted to Pinetown Boys’ High School in 1982 to teach technika electronics. He later resigned twice from the school to pursue a career in lecturing at Swinton Road Technical College in Mobeni for a year, and then lectured at Edgewood College for five years in a technical field doing electrical.
Sandy spent a year or two in industry and returned to Pinetown Boys’ High School in 1997 to teach technika electrical, and once established, he returned to teach electrica electronics.
“I taught this subject until 2008, but the subject was withdrawn by the department. I then began teaching a new subject, engineering, graphics and design at the school,” said Sandy.
He said in his early days at the school, he coached all types of sports including cricket, hockey, tennis and golf.
“Today’s staff expect to be paid for teaching extra curricular subjects but back then it was part of our job and we did it with a passion,” said Sandy.
He said he enjoyed taking his pupils on sports and educational tours, which encouraged pupils to take interest in the subject.
During his retirement, Sandy plans to utilise his carpentry skills in his well fitted garage and join his brother in an LED lighting business.
“I also hope to spend more time sailing and camping with my family,” said Sandy.
He also plans to give back to the community – Sandy has volunteered some of his time to help out at the Kloof and Highway SPCA, as well as to bake scones for a tea party with grannies once a month.
Sandy said he had an absolute amazing work experience in all the schools and tertiary education institutes and had never had any regrets.
“My message to pupils is: it would be nice if pupils were more respectful and realise the opportunities they have with the teaching excellence available at the school,” added Sandy.
