AFTER 41 years of service, the principal of Chigwell Primary School in Patensie, Peter Dolph, bade farewell to his beloved school, as he retires and embarks on a new chapter in his life.
Dolph said his love for working with children and his desire to find a career which would always challenge him, inspired him to become a teacher.
He began his career as a teacher at Retief Gedenk NGK Primary School in Klipplaat, a rural area in the Karoo, in January 1980.
He said due to a fire, which destroyed many of the classrooms at the school, the Department of Education placed tents nearby where the learners were taught.
“I was a young man with a big responsibility who had to teach in difficult circumstances,” said Dolph.
“Becoming a teacher was a big challenge and a big adjustment for me, but my love for children pushed me into the direction of education.”
One year later, in 1981, Dolph continued his journey as a teacher at Brandovale Primary School in Klipplaat.
After spending at least nine years at this school, he moved on to a new venture at Chigwell Primary School in Patensie in 1990.
“Education has been my life for many years and the learners were my number one priority. I enjoyed my time standing in front of a class and teaching,” said Dolph.
When Dolph began teaching at Chigwell Primary School over 31 years ago, he was selected as head of department at the school and, in 1991, he was appointed as acting principal under the guidance of the late Julian Plaatjies, who at the time was the principal at the school.
With the passing of Plaatjies in 1998, Dolph continued working as the acting principal and in 2000, he was permanently appointed as the principal of the school.
He said many of the learners at his school lived in difficult circumstances with their parents working at nearby farms while receiving a very low wage.
Fortunately, with the quality education they received at Chigwell Primary, which he proudly referred to as the school with the ‘Red Roof’, many learners were able to fulfil their dreams.
“Many of our learners have acquired provincial colours in the field of athletics and rugby. In academia, sport, and culture, we were hardworking and stood back for no one,” said Dolph.
He said some of the events at the school which he will miss the most include the annual church service at the start of the school year, the yearly school bazaar, the concerts presented by the governing body, the modelling shows, annual tour to Cape Town or Oudtshoorn and the yearly prefect camp.
On June 30, Dolph bade farewell to the learners and staff at Chigwell Primary School.
“I tried to lead the school to great heights, with the help of the Lord and I would therefore like to encourage my successor to build on the good foundations that have been laid,” said Dolph.
“The teachers work together as a team. We may have our differences, but it does not end in a dispute.”
Dolph said he would like his successor to remember that the future of the learners at the school was in his or her capable hands.
He said the longing and desire to work with the learners at the school will always remain with him.
“The good days will always be missed. I will miss the times when things went well and even difficult times when we transformed the school from nothing to something,” said Dolph.
Now that he has retired, he plans to rest and spend time with his family.
“Chigwell Primary School which is one of the most beautiful farm schools in our area will always be my whole life, but a new era has dawned; I greet you all after almost 41 years and six months of service,” said Dolph.
