GALLERY: Laerskool Fontainebleau says a final goodbye

In a touching ceremony on 25 June, the staff of Laerskool Fontainebleau bid a sad but fond farewell to general worker Phillip Nkoko. He had been with the school since 1993 and was responsible for much of the building and maintenance that has taken place over the years. Lucy Sethumule, who has been with the school for 38 years, was happy to act as tour guide and pointed out some of Phillip’s efforts. The beautiful wrought-iron sculpture that greets guests as they enter the premises is his and he built it from the ground up, stone work and all. There is also an outside area that he had paved in its entirety and it’s flawless. Not one brick is out of place or not level.

“Phillip is a perfectionist” added Nicolette van der Watt, school teacher and media liaison. “Everything he does has to be done right!” She shows a laminated and bound print out of his farewell slideshow which is shown later with the aptly-chosen Simply the Best playing in the background. “We’ve taken photos of him with varying projects he’s done round the school and added messages from the staff. We bound and laminated it so he’ll have something to keep.”

The spread laid in the teacher’s room was beautiful. As the staff entered there was an atmosphere of sadness. Principal Arno Faber said a few words and presented Nkoko with his gift. Then the slideshow started. There were a few laughs, people whispered as they pointed to certain pictures, seeming to share a fond memory.

Van der Watt indicated that the staff turnover is low so the majority of the time when someone leaves, there is a farewell do. For the most part teachers stay until retirement. If they leave after a few short years it’s generally because of circumstances like moving away. So now that it’s time for Phillip Nkoko to move on, his absence will be felt acutely.