Beloved school admin personnel retires
Discovery Primary School bids farewell to Belinda Faill, who has retired after 30 years of service.
It was an emotional and bittersweet moment at Discovery Primary on May 30, as colleagues and learners said their goodbyes to Belinda Faill, a dedicated administration personnel who has retired after 30 years of service.
At the Roodepoort Record’s arrival, it was clear that she was dearly loved by everyone. Learners were coming to the front office bearing gifts, others were preparing poems, and her colleagues were trying to hold back their tears.
Belinda’s connection to the school goes way back. She attended Discovery Primary herself in 1971, and her mother and children also went to the school.
“I was appointed in 1996 by the school governing body, and in 2003 I was appointed by the Gauteng Department of Education.
“Throughout the years, the school became a second home for me. I made friends and met kind people, and the staff became my extended family,” said Belinda.
“My roles included admissions co-ordinator, personal assistant and everything admin.
“This new chapter of my life I’m dedicating to spending time with family, but leaving, I know I will always have a home and people who love me,” she added.
Her colleagues described her as an incredible person and someone who went above and beyond for others.
“She’s very fun, and whenever there’s a challenge, she would just say ‘smile’ and ‘wave’.
“Parents loved her to bits, and we will miss her voice during intercom announcements,” her colleagues Brenda van der Merwe, Nondumiso Mkhwanazi, and Wendy Pona said.
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On behalf of the school and the school governing body, principal Raymond Peters said it’s a lifetime that she has dedicated to the school.
“Bittersweet is an understatement; it’s nostalgic thinking about the years of loyal service and dedication she has put into the school.
“We wish her all the best, and the lifetime tip we have for her is, ‘Belinda, do you’,” he said.
The school also hosted a farewell ceremony for her on Saturday, May 31, with a black and gold theme.
