Twilight for quartet of Wingen Heights teachers

The mood at Wingen Heights Secondary turned sombre as the careers of four of the school’s founding teachers reached the culmination of their tenure at the school.

Pravina Ramcharan, Sarah Paul, Kamala Naicker, and Ragini Sayed Hassan, stalwarts of the Wingen Heights Secondary School faculty, have left an indelible mark on the school’s legacy and were given a fitting send-off in the form of a retirement party.

At 62-years-old, Pravina Ramcharan’s journey in education spans an impressive 41 years, and she specialises in English. Beyond the classroom, she served as a dedicated guidance counsellor, touching countless lives with her wisdom and compassion.

Ramcharan’s dedication extended to mentoring fellow teachers and initiatives including feeding schemes and peer counselling programmes, to meaningfully contribute to the school’s ecosystem.

“Many of my pupils excelled in English and this was evident in their matric results. Pupils have shared their success stories with me knowing that I took great pleasure in hearing about their careers, acknowledging that I successfully generated a ripple in the water that changed the lives of my pupils. Due to a co-morbidity, she worked from home during the lockdown and worked late into the night completing all aspects of her syllabus. The principal was very accommodating and I was able to Zoom with my classroom to teach my lessons. I have a passion to help and nurture pupils, and so I have enjoyed every single day of my 41 years at school, knowing that I have helped to develop the future leaders of our country,” concluded Ramcharan.

Sarah Paul’s 40-year tenure as a teacher embodies versatility and resilience. Starting her career in primary education, she transitioned to Wingen Heights Secondary in 2001, where she made a significant impact as a commerce teacher.

“This school felt like a gigantic school in many ways in comparison to my primary school. Here there were more than 1, 200 pupils. Fifty were some odd teachers and they were known for their amazing matric results. I had to quickly learn to fit in. It became a teaching and learning experience for me. There has never been a dull moment in the 22 years that I have spent in Wingen Heights,” said Paul.

Supported by her husband, she looks forward to retirement as an opportunity for adventure and relaxation. “In my retirement, I plan to spend valuable time with my dear husband, who has waited patiently for three years for me to retire. By the grace of God, we plan to do a lot more travelling. We have recently developed a passion for hiking and so we will spend time doing that. I plan to read more and do some gardening. For those wishing to become teachers, this is a very fulfilling and rewarding profession. But it requires dedication and a lot of hard work. You have to have a passion to nurture these young minds or you will fail as a teacher,” she said.

With 63 years of wisdom, Kamala Naicker’s illustrious career reflects a commitment to excellence and advocacy. She has been a teacher since 1982.

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“I am leaving a school which I regarded as my second home. I have mixed emotions about it- it is a mix of joy and excitement for the new opportunities of retirement, but it is bittersweet to be saying goodbye to my school. I have a bucket list, which I hope to tick one at a time. I want to travel and continue to do religious work at my temple. I would love to do ballroom dancing and yoga. To continue assisting underprivileged pupils in EMS and accounting,” said the nostalgic teacher.

She advises new teachers to have realistic expectations of themselves and to celebrate successes as they go along.

“Ask questions, never be afraid to ask anything you are unsure of. Get a mentor at school. Do not try to be perfect, you will burn out. Be organised and build firm relationships with staff and your pupils in the classroom. Teaching is a profession that can change the world- one that can change lives and societies,” concluded Naicker.

Ragini Sayed Hassan’s tenure at Wingen Heights dates back to its inception in 1982, symbolising her integral role in shaping the school’s identity.

From her leadership as deputy principal to her involvement in organising memorable events as the school’s events co-ordinator, Hassan’s impact transcends the confines of the classroom.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my teaching career to the extent that I have many years of full attendance on record. I believe in a wellrounded education and have taken every opportunity to bring as much fun into my teaching for my pupils. I plan to spend more time with my lovely grandchildren,” said Hassan.

As these esteemed teachers bid farewell to Wingen Heights, their legacies of dedication, innovation, and passion will continue to inspire generations to come.