With a rich history spanning 140 years, Erica Girls’ Primary School has become a mainstay of many Nelson Mandela Bay families, with 11 former pupils now working at the school.
Teacher Carol Hickson, who finished her primary school education at Erica in 1969 when it was still situated in Richmond Hill, started teaching at the school in 1984.
Hickson followed in the footsteps of her mother, Eben, and aunt Evelyn Joubert, having both attended the school, which is now based in Mount Croix.
Hickson’s sister, Prof Janet Wesson, niece Angela le Grange Hatlen, and daughter Stephanie Will, also attended the school, with Will later joining the teaching staff.
“I am so proud to be part of a school that celebrates families,” Hickson said.
Another stalwart who celebrates 11 years of teaching music at Erica, Sheilagh Thorn, said that last year, while the school marked its 140th anniversary, she had also celebrated her 40-year reunion.
“The reunion of the class of 1983 brought back so many memories.
“For me, Erica was certainly a place where I was encouraged to be myself, nurture my talents and strive to achieve my dreams.
“All my teachers were an inspiration to me in many ways, as each made their subject come alive.
“I am incredibly privileged to now be enriching the lives of our young girls through music, and it is so rewarding to see some of our ex-pupils form careers in music or the arts,” Thorn said.
Now in her 12th year of teaching at Erica, mom of two Lauren Jean Stevens said after being appointed at the school in her first teaching post as a grade 6 teacher, she now found great fulfilment teaching the grade 4s.
“I love them,” she said.
Stevens and her sister both attended Erica from grades R to seven.
“My mom always loved the feel and atmosphere of this particular all-girls school and from day one I was happy and never looked back.
“The caring nurturing staff gave me the best foundation I could have asked for.
“I knew that if I had to teach, then I had to teach at Erica.
“I turned down another opportunity to give back to the school and pupils I always loved,” Stevens said.
Passionate about education, former Erica pupil Jeanne Bell, who qualified in public relations at the then PE Technikon, said she always wanted to work at a school and Erica was just the right place for her.
“I longed for many years to work in a school for two main reasons; to be able to be more available to my own children, and because being able to be a positive impact on young lives is a privilege.”
For the past six years she has worked at her alma mater in administration, marketing, and in parent committees.
“For fun I try to be the IT manager too,” Bell said.
Carla Jean Howitz finished her primary school education at Erica in 2003 and returned as a teacher in 2016.
The first in her family to attend Erica, she was soon followed by her three cousins.
“My parents were both teachers so I could take a few pages out their books.
“I have also learnt a lot from educators who have been at Erica for a lot longer than I have.
“I chose Erica because it is a warm and inviting workspace.
“We are like one big family, learners included,” Horwitz said.
Following in the footsteps of her mother and aunt, who also attended Erica, Candice Truter has been teaching at the school since 2009.
“From when I was a little girl, I always wanted to a be a teacher.
“A few teachers inspired me along the way.
“My grade 5 teacher particularly stands out to me.
“I feel that she saw the potential I had and made me believe in myself,” Truter said.
Kendall Westcott started teaching at Erica in 2020 and has not looked back.
“We moved here from Joburg and my mom knew she wanted to send me to her old school, as she had so many fond memories there,” Westcott said.
Another teacher who started at Erica this year, Anna-Maria George, finished her primary education at the school in 2005.
She is now the school’s counsellor.
“I have always loved helping people, but helping people with their thoughts and emotions feels like my calling in life.
“That’s why I chose and enjoy this career.
“It was an easy choice to return to Erica as a staff member.
“The staff are incredible and the school has changed so much, but in the best way,” George added.
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