Belief in faith and service kept her going during 43 years at St Thomas
After 43 years of working behind the scenes to ensure classes and the curriculum run like clockwork, St Thomas High School’s secretary will bid her beloved school farewell at the end of January.
And for 65-year-old Schauderville resident Virginia Bouwer, life after retirement will include taking care of her 97-year-old aunt Rosie Swanepoel.
Bouwer is well equipped for the role, having begun her career path after school with nursing studies in Cape Town.
“I was raised in Jameson Road where I still live. I have never married; nor do I have children.
“After attending school at St Teresa Primary and St James High School, I went to Tygerberg Hospital to start my nursing studies.
“Growing up sheltered, I was so homesick, and my father requested, in writing, my release from the programme.
“After returning home, I volunteered at St Martin de Porres Catholic Church and thereafter, as a 21-year-old, I started working at the school.”
Bouwer said it was a big adjustment starting in the position at such a young age.
“Because I was so young, the principals and staff trained me well.
“But I always knew everything at this school was about the children and the teachers.
“I have always taken a back seat running things behind the scenes.
“I must commend the teachers for making my job easier. I am truly grateful for their role in my life.”
Bouwer said her faith and Catholic foundation had kept her going throughout her decades of service at the school.
“It is not a Catholic school like in the early days, but I tried to uphold and instil certain values that I carry with me.
“If I impacted one or two people while I worked here, I will be happy.
“Personally, being the secretary of St Thomas High was to be in service to the community.”
Though she has no plans for her retirement, she said she wanted to focus on what God wanted her to do.
“I will relieve my youngest sister from taking care of my aunt. She has always been a second mother to us, so we gladly do for her what we can.”