Tribute to retiring teachers |03 November 2005

Special awards were also given to teachers with the longest years of service and also to those who are retiring.

Today we present the profiles of the teachers who are retiring. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and Youth, staff, parents and students of the respective schools wish the teachers a happy and well deserved retirement.

Ginette Philoe

Ms Ginette Philoe joined the teaching profession in 1960 straight after her secondary education. Seven years later, she signed on for a two-year course at the Teacher Training College to build on the experience she had gathered.

During the 45 years of service, Ms Philoe taught at various schools on Mahe from Les Mamelles to Bel Eau, La Rosiere, and Bel Ombre and back to La Rosiere in 1997. Two years after her return at the school, she was appointed to the post of Professional Development Facilitator, a responsibility she still holds today. As PDF, Ms Philoe ensures that the professional development plan of her school is effectively implemented.

For most of her career Ms Philoe was a language teacher, who especially enjoys speaking French and she is also a member of ‘Association d’enseignants de Francais’ (L’ASEF). As she leaves the teaching profession, her colleagues at La Rosiere School say she will always be remembered by her famous words of advice whenever they were feeling down – ‘On doit continuer.’

Anne Souris

Anne Souris became a teacher in 1961 at the tender age of 16. Though she did not have any teaching experience she accepted to take over the responsibility for a P6 class at Anse Boileau.

For ten years she taught at different levels at the school from P1 to P6 before proceeding to the Teacher Training College to acquire her teacher’s certificate. After her graduation she returned to Anse Boileau School where she worked mainly with P6 students.

After 20 years of teaching at P1 to P6, in 1981 Mrs Souris took up the challenge to teach at P7 and P8 levels, which is today known as secondary 1 and secondary 2. She taught mainly French and Religious Education and after three years she opted to teach only Religious Education as there were very few teachers teaching this subject.

Mrs Souris says her greatest achievement in teaching is to see so many of her past students as successful citizens.

Winnie Charlette

Mrs Winnie Charlette’s career in teaching started 43 years ago as a supply teacher at Cascade School. In 1970 she joined the Teacher Training College for two years to become a qualified teacher. After her studies she was posted at St John’s Bosco School, presently known as Belonie School.

Ms Charlette also worked at Bel Eau Annexe for some years until its closure earlier this year. She was then transferred to Bel Eau Main, where she is teaching at P3 level.

The Bel Eau School management and her colleagues say she is a very hard working teacher with a pleasant personality who is always punctual for work.

Jeanne Lablache

St Joseph’s primary school at Grand Anse Praslin will always have a special place in the heart of Mrs Jeanne Lablache because it is where she took up her first teaching post 36 years ago. She was a supply teacher at the school until 1972 when she enrolled at the Teacher Training College.

Two years later, upon completion of her training, she returned to St Joseph’s primary school. She taught there for 18 years before she was posted to Grand Anse Praslin primary school where she has been teaching up to now.

During her career as a teacher, Mrs Lablache has always taught at P1 and P2 levels. Her colleagues describe her as someone who is easy to get along with and who is also well respected by all her pupils. 

Rita Albert

Mrs Rita Albert began teaching in 1980 as an auxiliary at Bel Eau crèche. Three years later she took a break from her job and resumed work in 1984 as an auxiliary at the school for the Exceptional Child. Mrs Albert’s enthusiasm and devotion to her career was rewarded in 1994 when she was promoted to the rank of supply teacher.

In her new post she was responsible to teach the deaf and mentally retarded children. She says working with children with disabilities is very challenging but at the same time it is very enjoyable and satisfying.