enlarge picture () Jan Freeman left Island School at the end of the Summer Term of 1999, after teaching here for 26 years. This photo was taken at the farewell dinner organized by her "Freeman Girls".

I feel like a cat! I've had five lives at Island School.

My first 'life' began in 1973 when I arrived from England to teach PE. However, I was also accidentally assigned to history! Mr. Rivers-Moore, then principal, had misread geography for history! (He's a scientist.) After only two weeks teaching, I had an eight week 'holiday' recovering from a serious back injury! Not an auspicious start for a PE teacher.

In 1977, 'life two' started. I became Head of Girls PE and finally taught my 'other love' - geography.

In Easter 1981, I returned to England for a term's sabbatical to research Pastoral Care and Counselling. In my third life I became Head of Einstein with Mr. James in 1982. Soon after he left Einstein for Deputy Principal in the school - he clearly couldn't keep up with the pace of a PE teacher/House staff.

'Life four' began in 1983 when I permanently hung up my trainers and persuaded Mr. Massingham I should teach full-time geography. Luckily, with the rapid growth of students wishing to take this GCSE, he didn't have much choice!

My 'fifth' and latest 'life'at Island School began in September 1993 when I became Deputy Principal, a job vastly different from all the others.

My 'Five Lives' highlights:

• IS Girls' Swimming teams winning the A, B, C grades and Overall Championships every year from 1973-1983.
• IS Girls' Athletics team winning the Overall Championships every year from 1973-1983.
• Taking part in IS's Music and Staff Revels.
• Einstein wining the 1992 Overall House Competition Cup.
• Formation and expansion of the Islanders Association, and the contact it gives me with my old students.

One of numerous Island School sports teams.

I love:

• geography field trips to Guilin and Chiang Mai, and even to Central and Sai Kung!
• my 14 years of trying to conduct Junior Choir (many thanks to the real maestro, Mr. Tait, for keeping everyone together).
• watching every school production since 1973.
• watching or participating in every school music concert.
• seeing cheerful faces in classrooms and corridors around IS.
• eating mooncakes or mince pies with the Office staff.
• the last external exam, on the last morning of the last term in June.

Thank you, Island School, for 25 fantastic years and five very different lives. I have been privileged to work in such a happy, successful school, in this unique place.

Jan Freeman
Deputy Principal
1993-99

Having escaped the proverbial frying pan, Jan is now running the Islanders for old students and teachers. Her sixth life at Island School!

Editor

http://www.ishk.org/files/five_lives_9911.html

To re-enter this site without logging in again please bookmark the Home Page. If you have forgotten your password and would like to reset it please visit the password reset page.