Retirement beckons for Summerfield Primary’s star principal
Her career began at Summerfield Primary in 1980, and the school has acted as her home away from home since then. Throughout her career, she was fortunate to have been mentored by some of the best management members of their time.
Summerfield Primary School’s Mrs M Pather graciously stepped into retirement after having served as a teacher, deputy principal, and principal.
The 63-year-old Kharwastan resident has served in only one school during her entire career and has always seen the teaching profession as a divine calling and not merely a job.
Her career began at Summerfield Primary in 1980, and the school has acted as her home away from home since then. Throughout her career, she was fortunate to have been mentored by some of the best management members of their time.
She acted as the departmental head for the foundation phase from 1994 and was promoted to the post in 2001. She has also acted as deputy principal and principal during her long tenure.
She taught English, mathematics and life skills, and has watched with swelling pride as many of her pupils have embarked upon successful careers because of the strong foundation she had laid out for them.
According to Pather, she enjoyed encouraging and inspiring pupils to reach their fullest potential and showered them with praise and incentives to bring out the best in them.
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Having matriculated in 1976 from Glenover Secondary School, she went on to obtain her qualifications in junior phase education from the Springfield College of Education in 1979. She further studied for a higher diploma in foundation phase education in 1984.
“The community of Bayview and my pupils will always hold a very special place in my heart. Memories of Summerfield and all the wonderful individuals I have met along the way will remain etched in my mind forever,” expressed Pather, who has always shared an excellent rapport with both pupils and staff.
Pather has been heavily involved in community projects, including Keep Chatsworth Beautiful, and has produced a dance item for the opening of the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre.
A vast array of development programmes for pupils were initiated by Pather. She firmly believes that through the inculcation of good, solid values in every pupil that passed through her. Her greatest joy came from seeing the pupils smiling each morning.
“To young, aspiring teachers, a lot of patience and understanding is necessary as our youth of today need more emotional support and have a need for a teacher, who will evolve alongside them. Persevere in your chosen field as you are producing the future of tomorrow,” she said.
