Princess Primary School has indicated that a block of the school building will be dedicated to their recently retired and inspirational teacher Alette Combrink.
Combrink retired at the end of 2013 after a teaching career of 38 years. Her career in education began in 1975 and she joined Princess Primary in 1990.
“To honour Combrink, the principal mentioned that he would ask the school governing body to dedicate one block of the school building to her,” said school spokesperson Eden Daniels.
The school held two send-offs in honour of the veteran teacher – the first being a special assembly during which the school choir gave a performance, followed by a farewell lunch at Trumps in Westgate with the Princess Primary staff. A representative from the Johannesburg West District also joined the celebrations.
During the first send-off, pupils were shown a PowerPoint presentation with pictures of Combrink during her 23 years at the school.
“The biggest surprise for this amazing teacher was when Marc Coetzee, one of the LSEN pupils who was in her class in 1994, took to the stage. He shared an amazing story about the difference Combrink had made in his life,” added Daniels.
Marc was in the LSEN class for a few years and later went to Roodepark School. Authorities in the District wanted to send him to the Gateway School, but Combrink fought it tooth and nail. Determined to get his matric certificate, he later enrolled at an FET college.
Today, Marc is an Operational Coordinator at CUM Books. He oversees 42 stores nationwide.
“This story truly inspired the pupils. It showed them that they should reach for the stars and that even if you’re a special-needs pupil, you can be successful,” said Daniels.
A closer look at Combrink’s achievements and career:
She matriculated at Carletonville Hoërskool and then went to Potchefstroom College of Education to study teaching. In 1974 she graduated from this college.
In 1989 she taught at Westgate Primary, which later became Princess Primary. At Princess Primary she taught various grades in the Foundation Phase. In 1994 she taught the LSEN class – a class for pupils with special educational needs. This was the year she met Marc.
In 2003 she started teaching Grade 2s and a few years later the Grade 3s as well.
A few years ago, she completed her honours degree at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
