Before I became a principal, the subjects that I taught, was history and maths.
I loved history, that is why it was one of my main subjects at University.
History was something you can make alive for children to enjoy. I loved it so much more when the children sat in the class with their mouths open, as I really tried to make them live the subject.
I was always pleased when I saw them continuing with history because I knew how much they enjoyed the class.
We did many projects, and I took them to museums to see what an interesting subject it really was.
I really enjoyed the maths as well because to me it was very important that a child should know his multiplication tables and have the basic facts and know the formulas.
This meant that they would never struggle later in life as the basics were the most important part of maths.
We did fun things to learn multiplication tables and all the children in my classes I believe, never forgot their multiplication tables and facts that were drilled into them without them really realising what was happening.
If you make children enjoy your classes you make them hungry for more.
This is what happened with the history as well.
I will never forget one day a girl that was a first year student at University came to me and said. She loved history so much that she took it as her main subject and she is so sad, because now she realised that she did not really like it that much it was the classes that she enjoyed when I taught her.
I said you must look at it as if it is the way we did it in our class and if you start really thinking you will find it is very interesting, and facts that happened in the past that will always be there.
She looked at me and smiled. You still know how to make history interesting. I will go on with it and think about your words every time I get frustrated.
It is important to make children want more of that which you are teaching, they must start thinking how to get further with the subject as school because they enjoyed it so much.
There is not much that is nicer, than seeing an old pupil who remembers you and says they loved school.
After going on pension we moved down to the Wild Coast, and we built a house with a very nice sea view.
This was always my dream and I must say it is the best thing we did.
Now in school holidays when we walk on the beach, especially in December, it is unbelievable how many of the people come up to me and say sir do you remember me, I was at school where you were principal or teacher.
I do not always remember them all because over a period of 30 years you cannot remember them all but I always try to make them think I do as it makes them feel good.
When they have children, I always say you look just like your mother or father looked when they were at school.
Funny how true it actually is as we know that children, often look just like their parent.
Hope you enjoyed my true school story.
Have a wonderful day here from the Wild Coast.
