Mom, 36, goes back to high school
POLISHING your shoes for the first day of school and putting on your uniform can be exciting experiences for those entering the education system for the first time.
But for Lindsay Mcintyre, 36, it was especially stirring as she was going back to complete her matric which she was unable to obtain in 1999.
The mother of two dropped out after falling pregnant with her first son, and after losing her job last year she decided it was time to dust off her school shoes and find out whether it would be possible to go back to Lavender Hill High School, and pick up where she left off.
After chatting to principal Faseeg Manie, she was told she could join the class of 17- and 18-year-old-pupils, but would need to suit up in uniform and be prepared to be treated like any other pupil.
“It’s weird, people would stare at me in the mornings because I am an old lady in a school uniform.
“The principal asked me if I could do night school or go to college, but I would have to do three subjects this year and three next year and I didn’t have the time to do that.
“He told me that if he enrolled me as a learner, I would have to wear a uniform and I would be treated like a 17 year old.
“I was okay with that, I just had to humble myself.
“My son was very embarrassed and said ‘Mommy, don’t come and pick me up from school in your uniform’,” said Mcintyre.
Manie said he had no hesitation in accepting Mcintyre back because many people in the Lavender Hill community had made mistakes but they didn’t always come back to correct them.
“She showed the requisite determination, perseverance and work ethic to pass the interview. She is not the first person in her thirties to be given a chance by us.
“She was a role model to the others and she asked for no favours. She is going to be the motivational speaker for our Grade 12 pupils this year,” said Manie.