Farewell to blackboard, pupils

AFTER more than five decades as a Port Elizabeth teacher, Les Faiers is to bid his classroom, its blackboard and pupils farewell.

Faiers, 72, of Central, will retire later this month from Clarendon Park Primary School in Walmer, where he spent 41 years of his 51- year teaching career.

Loved by all, staff and past and present pupils, including Port Elizabeth comedian Gino Fabbri, sent the "legendary teacher" off with a bang at a farewell party at the school pavilion last night.

Having been in the profession for more than half a century, Faiers taught Fabbri, his children, his uncle and most of his cousins.

Asked what he would remember most about his teacher, Fabbri said: "In the 1980s, he had the task of handing out the 'jacks' and I'm sure many will remember his thin little whippy cane.

"My own butt certainly does.

"He has always been upbeat and friendly, a valuable trait to have when teaching for so long," Fabbri said.

Faiers started his Clarendon Park journey as deputy principal in 1973.

In his teaching career, he has taught a wide variety of subjects including mathematics, Afrikaans, geography, and, in more recent years, technology.

Sad to see him leave, Clarendon Park principal Adam Lones said with his building experience and eye for detail, Faiers had been at the forefront of many of the school's upgrades.

The swimming pool, library, additional classroom, the Clarries Pavilion, the Jubilee Gallery and the aftercare centre were just some of the major projects completed under his careful eye.

"Les Faiers loves people and, because of this, he has been perfectly suited to a teaching career where he has been able to interact with staff, pupils and parents," Lones said.

"His great sense of humour, his loyalty and his enthusiasm are some of the qualities that have made him a teacher par excellence.

"Although he will still be around to help with the maintenance of our campus, his days as an educator come to a close.

"All those who have come into contact with Les, whether as a pupil, staff member or parent, will be richer for it, and we wish him everything of the best in his well-earned retirement," he said.

While Faiers is excited about the prospects that retirement might hold, he admits he will miss his Clarendon Park family.

Among other charity work, his future plans include doing handyman tasks at the school and in his community.

"Now that I will have more time on my hands, I want to use it to help others," he said.

"I certainly will miss the teaching, but I had a good journey.

"The best of my highlights, of course, was seeing past pupils achieve success and come back to say thank you for their teachers' contributions."

His advice to young, aspiring teachers is simple.

"Do a course on patience," he said jokingly. "But just go in there and enjoy it.

"Troubles will come, but it's part of the challenge." - Alvené du Plessis