Earlier today, Port Lincoln High School said farewell to its longest-serving staff member – Ms. Creena Scholz is about to commence her very well-earned retirement after a staggering 47 years at PLHS.
A well-attended celebration was staged in the Staff Room this morning to acknowledge Creena’s incredible service to our school community, and to wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life. As well as a delicious morning tea, Creena was presented with gifts, flowers, cards and farewell speeches (including a video message from former PLHS Principal Mr. Todd George).
Just to be clear, Creena has served PLHS for almost half of the 101 years that the school has been open. On behalf of the thousands of students, colleagues, parents and community members who you have supported during that immense period, thank you, Creena – wishing you a happy and healthy retirement. ST
In true Creena style, she supplied the following comprehensive summary of her long and varied career…
* In the beginning:
Started work in 1978 on a 6-month tenure at Port Lincoln High School under the Dunstan Labor Government State Unemployment Relief Scheme.
Continued to work in voluntary capacity after Scheme concluded. 2¾ years of voluntary work while actively seeking other employment.
Officially employed by Education Department on April 18, 1981.
* Library:
Making flash cards and graphics/artwork, signs and certificates covering books (specifically those with dust jackets! No-one else seemed to like covering them)
Producing audio visual items. Recording Beta then VHS video tapes, cataloguing, filing
16mm film projection and ordering/rewinding of films from SA Film Corporation weekly.
Regular thorough cleaning/ stocktaking AV equipment: carousel slide projectors, overhead projectors, reel to reel tape recorders, high speed audio cassette copying machine, film projectors, record players etc. (Low tech.)
Copyright laws and requirements training.
* Printery:
Gestetner, Fordigraph and Off Set Press printing of lessons, books – including printing, manually (fun!) collating and binding of 1982 Yearbook – following injury to D Graefe. *If ink colour changed, it would take several hours to clean all ink out of machine, using carcinogenic cleaning fluids (thanks) and hearing affected by noise of machines. (No earmuffs provided!)
Maintenance of machines as above plus Guillotine and Electric Stapler.
Photocopying and associated tasks.
Untangling paper clips, thanks to Craig and Todd.
* Special Education:
Worked with teachers Peter Meadows and Sue Wegener in old Special Education room. One on one with students – cooking, literacy and numeracy, life skills (shopping, money handling, healthy eating etc.) Stimulating and challenging working with the students.
Taught students to use my wood burning tool to decorate bread boards etc. for sale.
* Science Lab:
Worked with lab assistant Mary Lugg. Cleaning and stocktaking equipment, caring for livestock – fish, rats and axolotl. Displays.
* Book Room and then Library/Resource Centre:
Block sets of texts. Maintenance of collection. Covering, repairing and re-shelving. Cataloguing, copying (knowing copyright) and maintenance of large sheet music collection. Displays and art work around school.
Sports Day preparation. Manual input of student details, recording/scoring on day. Ordering of ribbons, organising engraving of shields and medallions.
Calligraphy and design of certificates.
Moving entire book room collection four times and rehousing in various areas. Huge job!
“Phantom” art works around school with Barb Preston – like the murals of Year 9 novel covers, painted on walls after school hours, Book Week and Welcome Back to School Displays, including robots, spaceships, castles, guess the silhouette of the staff member and ANZAC/Remembrance Day displays.
Refurbished and updated ANZAC wreath – liaised with RSL re ANZAC/ Remembrance Day commemorations.
Wood burned and hand-painted 8 bread boards with Australian wildflowers for first Muroto exchange.
* Photocopy Room:
As previously but minus Off Set Press, Gestetner and Fordigraph finally!
Introduction of photocopiers and paper folding machine. Faculty copying budget oversight. Cleaning, maintaining equipment. (Teachers – Do not open toner bottle and then shake it. Toner is super fine and will go everywhere. If toner gets wet, it will rust on clothes and every other surface. Or lean on binder with metal fittings to flatten book out for photocopying. Liable to shatter glass of copier)
Member of PAC for 3 years.
* Resource Centre/Book Room:
More involvement with Sports Day prep with Barb Preston.
Redesign and layout of Resource Centre several times. More moving of books and shelves.
One year of Library Assistant TAFE course external study. Did not complete 3 year course due to death of my father and taking on the role of carer for my mother.
Studied Modern European History as Mature Aged student – topped the class surprisingly. (Enjoyed the study and challenges of doing a Year 12 subject.)
Birthday card maker/ chocolate frog purchaser for every student.
* Printery then back to Special Ed./Room 23 before returning to Resource Centre:
Christa Nortje and Jodie McMahon Room 23 teachers, Graham Peter SSO. Class of 8 males, 2 females. Challenging behaviours – and not just from the students!
Ordering, restocking and shelving of food items for Home Ec. Washing of soiled aprons, tea towels, potholders etc.
* Support for School Sport:
Worked with Peter Tokarski. Regional and district sporting competitions for Secondary Schools Sports Association. Included work on Western Area Secondary School Athletics Carnivals. Lettering and hanging of pennants in gym.
* Admin:
Assisted with admin duties. Laminating, phone answering, school photo liaison – including organisation of visits by school photographers, issuing of Student ID/ Student Photo Packs and taking photos of new students and ordering student IDs with ID number, date of birth and library borrowing barcode numbers from EDSAS data. EDSAS/SEQTA use. Reception – answering phones, dealing with public. Stressful role, particularly when dealing with aggressive parents and not feeling comfortable with technology or receipting of money.
* Helpful, supportive colleagues much appreciated:
Moved to current spot. Feel more able to meet job requirements.
Pinning/counting Sports Day ribbons – still!
Making props, certificates etc. for Performing Arts productions and chief lolly buyer (and sampler!) for Panto.
New data systems EMS, Daymap.
“Adopt a Barra” certificates and ‘parent’ contact details for fish Year 11 Aquaculture program.
* Centenary Planning Committee:
Member of hard-working and diverse Organising Committee. Contact person for Centenary attendees and special guests, including Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia, and Chief Justice of South Australia, the Honourable Chris Kourakis. Ordered many tea towels and over 200 pavers. Did lot of interesting historical research as needed. A challenging, interesting and fulfilling 16 months of preparation for a successful weekend of celebration. Met many former staff that I had worked with over the years and caught up with old friends that I had not seen for many years, including my best friend from 1960’s Kirton Point Primary School. It was an honour and overwhelming to be asked to serve on the Centenary committee and I was humbled to receive the Rowan Ramsey (Federal Member of Parliament for Grey) School Community Award and gold pen at 2023 Graduation.
* Worked with:
10 Principals and several Acting Principals
8 Librarians
4 Special Ed. Teachers
Hundreds of teaching and SSO staff colleagues
46+ years later, the next stage begins…