At our Staff year-end function, we proudly presented long service awards to two staffmembers – Mr Freddie Siyema (25 years) and English Teacher Mrs Jeanne Rankin (15 years). Unfortunately Mrs Rankin was unwell, but Mr Jan de Waal (Chairman of the Board) was able to honour Mr Siyema.
An excerpt from Mrs Rankin:
“At the end of 2025, I shall be saying farewell to my pupils at Cannons Creek as well as ending my teaching career. Many precious and fond memories abide with me from 1984 until 2025. One of the most delightful chances has been teaching the children / teenagers of my past pupils from my very first teaching post. Full circle – therefore it seems a fitting completion.
I’ve loved teaching my subject and tried to do it so that it would be easier for my pupils to remember the work, often adopting styles perhaps questionable? My weight on a table? This is not my idea: garnered from Robin Williams in “Dead Poets’ Society” and my Latin Prof Smuts illustrating Daedalus and Icarus’s flight.
Atmosphere is everything and that is why I tried to create a suitable one for dramatic moments in “Romeo and Juliet”, “Macbeth”, “Hamlet” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”. To copy the atmosphere of “Buckingham Palace” proved tricky as I considered the setting questionable at times?
My colleagues will be missed. What fun we’ve had in the staffroom. What laughter! And that has helped to lighten some dreary times as Life does send those our ways. But Teaching is NEVER BORING!”
An excerpt from Mr Siyema:
“It’s been a long time I’ve been here at the school. I’m here from the time it started. At the time it started, there was nothing. No girls, no boys. There was no fence, no paving, nothing, it was all just sand. Now it’s much better, it’s bigger now. There’s been a lot of change. A lot of people here now. It’s a busy place. Thank you.”
Read more about Cannons staff, here.