Education stalwart retires
HAVING served in the education sector for 44 years, retiring Bay Primary
School principal V Moodley was filled with mixed emotions as he bid farewell to his staff, pupils and the community recently.
The education stalwart, who served at the Brackenham-based school for 26 years, has been hailed as an exceptional leader, mentor, and visionary who always went the extra mile.
Moodley joined Bay Primary School in 1997 and was instrumental in the school's inception, as well as the development of the community and its neighbouring areas.
With a high focus on pupil development and staff empowerment, many teachers attested to their leader’s encouragement to keep building capacity through life-long learning.
Speaking at his retirement function, Moodley said his entire life journey was managed, controlled, and directed by the will of God, and he was grateful to everyone who journeyed with him.
A dedicated path in education
From humble beginnings, Moodley remembers his mother earning R5 a week, and presenting him with R10 after he matriculated from Montarena Secondary School in 1976.
He was sent from KZN to study at Transvaal College of Education until 1979, earning a teaching diploma in senior primary.
He began teaching the following year at Singh Primary in Germiston, focusing on children in special education.
A commitment to lifelong learning saw Moodley complete a diploma in specialised education, medical aspects, and a BA degree with honours before taking up his penultimate post at Montford Primary in KZN.
He thanked his wife Lorraine for standing by him through challenges, including heart surgery, and his daughter Micalia who has grown to be his best friend.
The family has relocated to Durban where Lorraine has taken up a teaching post while Moodley enjoys time off.
Department of Education King Cetshwayo District circuit manager Thembeka Mlambo thanked Moodley for his years of service and for being an asset in the education fraternity.