![The chairman of the School Governing Body (SGB) of Chelsea Prep, Bruce Bedderson bids a fond farewell to the school’s long-time principal, Clive Nel.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2017/08/IMG_8035-Large.jpg)
ON Wednesday, the principal of Chelsea Preparatory School finally called it a day.
Clive Nel had been the principal of the Durban North school for the past 27 years. His retirement was met with sadness from not only past learners of the popular school but also present learners who could not help but show their love and respect for the man who had affectionately become known simply as, Mr Nel.
Alex Paine a former learner said: “He really is an extraordinary man. He was always building and adding to the school and adding his personal touch to everything.”
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A learner left the crowd in stitches when she shouted:”Goodbye tension, hello pension.”
Nel’s retirement party coincided with 65th birthday when the school hosted their, ‘Hats off to Mr Nel’party.
Children ran around playing games, parents sat on picnic blankets and when the time came to say goodbye to Mr Nel everyone gathered and sat silently and listened to various poems penned by learners.