18
Mrs Freer
Initially joining us as a French teacher over 12 years ago,
Mrs Freer single handedly introduced Spanish to SirWilliam
Borlase, developing a thriving department. She spent a
year as an exchange teacher in Spain at the school with
which we subsequently had an exchange for a number of
years. As if establishing a new subject wasn't enough, Mrs
Freer then went on to become Head of Year for year 12 and
then year 13, and there are many old Borlasians who will
gratefully remember her dedication in supporting them
through their UCAS applications.
Always very active, Mrs Freer is also an excellent tennis
player, playing regularly at the weekend at Bisham
Abbey during her time at Borlase, and doing her utmost
to persuade other staff to join in staff tennis on a Friday
evening after school. She also accompanied a World
Challenge expedition to South America, where her
knowledge of the language was invaluable, and I know
that she really appreciated the ski trips in which she
participated, latterly also with her husband Garry.
Mrs Freer was also an avid supporter of all performing arts
activities in Borlase, most notably Music, where she always
supported concerts, not least the choir performances
conducted by her dear friendMelanie McFarlane. Since her
marriage, Mrs Freer gradually reduced her working hours
to spend more time on her husband, home and pets, and
since leaving us last Christmas, has been active in house
renovations and private tutoring. We shall miss Mrs Freer’s
permanently sunny disposition and her genuine fondness
for her colleagues and all those she has taught. However
we suspect that she is now so busy in her new life, that she
is probably wondering how she ever had time to work.
Mrs Hopper
Mrs Stacey
I joined Borlase in January 1998, initially as Receptionist.
In those days, I was based in what is now known
imaginatively as ‘the old reception’ in the little office which
now doubles up as an interview room and lost property
store. In those days, it wasn’t much more glamorous, and
my most abiding memory is of how cold it was; I had to go
out and buy myself a whole set of polo necked jumpers
just so I could get through the days.
After about three months, I escaped into my current office
when I was promoted to the position of Dr Holding’s PA
– a job I have done ever since. The job title might have
stayed the same – but the duties of the job have changed
considerably. I was oneof four administration staff (another
was Mrs Haynes who has been at Borlase even longer
than I have) and this little team did all of the jobs that
are now completed by something like thirty people. For
example, we actually made the school homework diaries
and I remember the whole of my office being covered in
bits of paper, and madly stapling the booklets together to
get them ready for the new school year. We organised all
the cakes and refreshments for school events, and literally
cut and stuck together the programmes for school drama
and music performances. It was hard work, but I enjoyed it
immensely because it meant that I got to work with many
more of the pupils and staff than I do today. Everybody
has a most embarrassing moment, and mine came when
I deleted everything from my computer by mistake
with Dr Holding looking over my shoulder. It took the IT
department all day to get everything sorted out.
These days, like many of us, I seem to spend much of my
time looking at a computer screen. The nature of my job,
and also those of the staff of any school, has changed
as we strive to meet deadlines. Jobs are much more
compartmentalised and I do miss that interaction with the
staff and students that took place in the ‘old days’. I was
going to write the ‘good old days’ there, but that suggests
that my job nowadays isn’t enjoyable. It is; it’s just different.
In September, when you are all walking back through the
gates, I’ll be enjoying my retirement. Not that I’m going to
be relaxing, as I will be busy running a Bed and Breakfast
with my husband. As I write this, the sun is shining outside
and I am looking forward to spending time away from my
desk and office, but I know I’m going to miss school life: I’ll
miss all the wonderful school plays and concerts, including
those by my favourite musical performers, the Borlase
Gospel Choir. Then there are the small everyday pleasures,
like sitting in the Cloisters on a sunny day at coffee break
– or taking Henry for a walk. But I will especially miss some
of the wonderful people I’ve worked with over the past
fifteen years.
