It’s the end of an era at Warringa Park School this week.
Teacher Heather Pilcher is retiring today (Wednesday) after 31 years at the Hoppers Crossing school, which caters for students who have an intellectual disability.
Mrs Pilcher went to teacher’s college straight out of high school, and started her career in mainstream primary schools in Strathmore and Hadfield before taking a break from teaching to have her kids.
When her kids started school, Mrs Pilcher spent a year doing casual work before going full-time.
“It was very, very different when I first started here.
“The perception of special ed in the ’70s and early ’80s was very much that the children can’t learn much, they won’t ever be able to read, write, get a job, those sorts of things.
“That perception is going now, very much so.
“There’s so much more support for them now, which is great. These kids can learn, even if it’s only learning to get themselves dressed. That’s what made it really worthwhile.
“Now this very much operates like a mainstream school.
“The kids are great and it’s just so rewarding to see even just the tiniest little step that they make.
“To see the way the older students blossom when they start working in the [school] cafe, it just makes it all worthwhile.”
Mrs Pilcher said she plans to enjoy retirement by spending more time with her family, including the newest addition to her family, a grandson.
