Dear Mr Duffy.
The teacher who inspired my career choice!
Welcome to Denyse Whelan’s Substack. It’s great to have you here.
Dear Mr Duffy,
Way back in 1960 when I was in your Year 5 class at Balgowlah Heights Public School, you noticed ‘something’ in and about me that ended up being SO significant that I followed the career path of being a K-6 Teacher.
I remain incredibly grateful that you noted in this ‘new to the school’ 10 year old an interest in helping ‘little kids’. My skills in reading also found me a new role once you moved from our classroom to the newly established School Library in the following year.
You made a new role, for me, and I was a Library Prefect. I got to do a lot of admin but generally I enjoyed helping and could feel the rewards ‘teaching’ others brought.
I had moved from Wollongong in late 1959 being one of the ‘three top’ students in my grade to Sydney’s Northern Beaches area where I was “but one of MANY”.
It helped me become more integrated into the social fabric of a primary school in its senior years and I know that led me to other things.
In fact, even though I wasn’t really ‘churchy’ the local community-based Congregational Church attracted our family as a base and I joined the choir and by age 13 or so became a Sunday School Teacher.
Once I entered High School (that is a WHOLE other story) I was already baby-sitting my parents’ friends’ young kids for an evening or over night. I enjoyed the interactions and the TEACHING part of it.
The one thing I need to add before I finish is that whilst there was no family history of those in an education career my father did champion education for women…in the 1960s I reckon he was a rarity.
And when, after LOVING the social side of being a teenager in high school, I finally realised SOME STUDY was needed for the newly minted Higher School Certificate in 1967 (first cohort of 6 years of high school) I would, over time be offered a N.S.W. Education Department Scholarship to study K-6 Teaching.
This offer came with the 3 year bond we signed and for that we were PAID each fortnight of the 2 years of Teacher’s College, and then guaranteed a teaching position once we graduated.
But you knew that part, right, because of your teacher training too.
Maybe you don’t know this bit.
When I got a late entry into Balmain Teachers College in April 1968, the ‘practicum’ period was about to start. I was placed in ‘the school nearest home’. Balgowlah Heights P.S. And it was to a Year 3 class…IN THE SAME classroom where you taught Year 5 and I became very interested in becoming a teacher!
So, again, THANKS Mr Duffy,
It’s a bit late for you to see this but you are in my heart and memories forever,
Warmest Wishes,
Denyse Simpson.
Photo Memories From This Time In My Life.
A Career Path I Have NEVER regretted taking…
Thanks Mr Duffy!
Warm wishes,
Denyse
That is lovely. I still remember the names of the teachers who made a difference to me, although I bet they don't remember my name.
This is so beautiful, Denyse ❤️ I love that Mr Duffy didn't just see who you were... he saw who you could become. And through you, that gift has rippled out to generations of children.