A celebration of women at De La Salle Holy Cross

To close off Women’s Month, De La Salle Holy Cross College made sure to recognise the importance of the month and honoured alumni from various years.

Using their social media platforms, the alumni shared words of teachers who inspired them.

Here is what some had to say about these special female teachers:

Claudia Da Silva, from the Class of 2016, had this to say about Colleen Manuell:
Mrs Manuell was the first teacher I had at the college in Grade R. Her kindness and gentle approach to her students is inspiring. I remember being excited every morning when entering the yellow group classroom waiting to see what fun activities she had waiting for us. When I was a little older, her smiling face encouraged us when singing in the junior school choir, a comfort for any student with stage fright. Looking back on my school career, although she was my first teacher at the college, she never ceased to say hello or ask me how school was going even up until matric. Mrs Manuell taught at the junior school for 24 years before she retired.

Bridget Shibambu, Class of 1999, had this to say about Barbra Berndsen:
Mrs Berndsen was my Grade 1 teacher and was the start of my journey with formal education. She made learning fun but created structure and stability for a little person who was new to the school, to the country and made a safe place for learning. She continues to do this as I have also had the pleasure to reconnect with her through my daughter attending the holiday club, where Mrs Berndsen has created an enjoyable programme to keep our children entertained during the school holidays.

Kathleen Genande, Class of 1994, had this to say about Debbie Harris:
Ms Harris, now the principal of the college, inspires me. She started at the college as our physical education teacher in 1983. Working her way up to principal of the college has been nothing short of inspirational and amazing and she is definitely the glue that holds the college together. I am honoured to be able to work closely with her through the Alumni Association – she inspires me every day.

Jenny Duffy, Class of 1984, had this to say about Sister Roswitha, Sister Beata-Maria and Sister Boniface:
These Sisters and all the Holy Cross Sisters who taught us in the 1980s inspired me. They left their homes and families as young women to follow their calling and vocation to come to Africa. Wonderful that we have Sisters Roswitha and Beata-Maria living back at the Holy Cross Convent in Victory Park. Such a lifetime of dedication is truly inspiring!