By REBECCA BILLS
Teacher honoured to have ex-students’ kids in her class…
THIRTY years ago Annette Haworth commenced her first class at Mount Evelyn Memorial Preschool.
And since that day, she’s taught about 50 students a year.
“One thousand five hundred children in Mount Evelyn have gone through the centre in my time,” Ms Haworth said.
“It’s an absolute honour to have taught each one of them.”
In 1981, Ms Haworth graduated in 1981 with a diploma of teaching from the Institute of Early Childhood Development, which is now part of Melbourne University.
“I worked for a couple of years as a part-time teacher before I started at the Memorial Preschool,” she said.
“I always wanted to teach and when my children started school I went to uni full time and trained as a teacher.
“I had three children in primary school, I was completing full-time university so I think if I can do that, I can do anything.”
Ms Hawthorn said she has now reached the stage of teaching the children of her former students.
“To me, that is an absolute honour that they would bring their children back to me,” she said.
Caitlin Liistro is one mother who was taught by Ms Haworth and now has her daughter Indiana in her teaching care.
“When we were looking for a preschool for Indiana one of my first options was the Memorial Preschool but I didn’t realise Annette was still there,” she said.
“She actually recognised me before I recognised her.
“When I saw her it made it an easy choice for us in enrolling our daughter.”
Mrs Liistro said because of her own experience she knew that her daughter would be in good hands.
“It’s pretty much exactly the same at the preschool, just a few things have slightly changed – you go in and it brings back the minimal memories that are there from such a young age,” she said.
“I grew up here then I moved away for about 10 years with my husband but we decided we wanted our children to grow up with space in a leafy environment.
“Indiana loves it, she loves all the teachers and other pre-schoolers and has a great rapport with them – we really haven’t had any issues.”
Ms Haworth said what has made the past 30 years so wonderful is the friendly nature that the preschool espouses.
“It’s a community based centre and is very community minded in all we do,” she said.
“Working with the children keeps me young.
“I love the funny things children come up with, their delightful senses of humour are just wonderful.”
Ms Haworth said over the years, the building housing the preschool has not changed much.
“It’s a very old building and it still looks very similar to what it was – we’ve only really added on a veranda, some new paths and a sandpit alongside a few other little things,” she said.
“Even the actual play rooms are very similar however, in recent years, there has been a set curriculum put in place across Australia.
“What that means is what children are taught here is very similar to what they are taught in other states.”
Ms Haworth is also a member of the local Rotary Group and spends her time during the Christmas breaks working with Teachers Across Boarders where she trains preschool teachers in Cambodia.
On Sunday 27 July form 1pm to 4pm, a lunch and open day is being held at the centre so past and present students can catch up and celebrate Ms Haworth’s achievements.
For more information, call Mount Evelyn Memorial Preschool on 9736 2488.
