Retiring teacher’s ‘inner child’ set to play

WHEN school closes for the second term holidays on Friday, 26 June, it will also mark the last day in the classroom for Fiona Brooking, after 43 illustrious years in the teaching fraternity.

She has spent 34 of those rewarding years at the junior campus of Warner Beach Preparatory. “I have loved all my time here, but it has been hard work.”

Fiona worked alongside principals Rathbone, Pinkerton and Chapman. “Vi Rathbone was an amazing person and mentor and Eileen Chapman was also a wonderful mentor and friend, I was able to go to her with anything.”

Initially, teaching was not her first choice. “I wanted to be a veterinarian, but at the time women were not accepted. But, I have two loves – wild animals and young children – so I decided on teaching.”

On finishing high school at Durban Girls’ High School, she completed her tertiary studies at Edgewood College and the College of Further Education.

Fiona’s first teaching post was at the Port Sheptone Infant School. “It was like going home because when I lived in Lusaka, Zambia, I attended boarding school in my younger years in Port Shepstone, as my grandparents lived there.”

In 1974, after she married Keith, she moved to Umkomaas Primary School. “While there, I never thought I could be happier in another school. Principals, George Grant and Margie Stella were instrumental in my character building and were a big influence in my life.”

At Warner Beach Prep, Fiona was promoted to HOD in 1995. She has taught grades 1 to 3 and works with colleagues she once taught.

“I have loved being a teacher and it is with much tears that I have to say goodbye. I know it is the right time to leave, I will miss the little ones. But, it’s now time for my husband and family who have always taken second place.”

With more time on her hands, Fiona also intends to catch up on craft work, hiking through wildlife areas and reading. “I want to do what I like doing.”

She advised those who want to take up teaching to ‘have love for children’. “All children are different and one has to accept them for their differences. They come from a variety of homes, you can’t stick them in a little box. You have to let your ‘inner child’ see things from a child’s perspective.”

Teaching has given Fiona a lot of gratification. “I have seen my former students turn into adults, noted their achievements and how far they have come in life.” She has built good friendships over the years.

She also intends to spend more time with her daughter, Tarryn Carter and her two grandchildren.