The King’s School West Rand nursery school’s perimeter fence near the pedestrian entry point has been flooded with flowers, tribute letters and photos that remind each visitor of the good times they had with the late nursery school teacher, Berdine Swartz. The passionate educator, who had been part of the school for the past five years, succumbed to a short illness on Friday, 16 October.
The news of her passing left not only her family devastated but the entire schooling community.
Colleague and friend Teacher Bronwyn Thompson described her as an energetic soul who was sweet as honey. “Berdine, her daughter (Danica) and I started this journey all together at the school. She was always up for fun and games as well as a mentor for our internship programmes where she would take the interns under her wing and show them the ropes. She definitely leaves big shoes to be filled and I will always miss her for skills and laughter,” she lamented.
The school’s principal, Ken Langley, expressed more about this sudden loss. “This was such a very unexpected loss for us, we knew that she had fallen ill the previous Sunday but we expected she would recover. Her death came as a very horrible shock but we know that our times are set on this earth. We trust that God will carry the family and give us comfort. She will be sorely missed,” he said.
He added that Berdine was a very wonderful staff member and one of the kindest people he knew. “This is a major loss for the school. She was very gentle with the children and caring as well,” Langley spoke about her qualities.
