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International Award for EISL Student |
Farewell to Mrs Chinn |
By Ms Durham
My first meeting with Jean Chinn was in the summer of 1993. Having just
arrived to start a new life in Portugal, I was told about an International
School just down the road from where I was staying. Now, having worked
for most of my career in deprived areas my idea of an International School
was of something similar to Eton. An image presented itself to me of
croquet on the lawns, cricket afternoons, straw hats and elocution lessons.
So, I dressed accordingly: flowing, flowery frock and wide-brimmed hat (I
could not find white gloves, fortunately!).
Off I went to talk my way into this prestigious establishment. My attempts
at a cultured accent lasted about five seconds and my Northern upbringing
was soon revealed.
Well, either Jean thought I looked like Joyce Grenfell (that
famous raconteur of infant teacher stories) or I could perhaps become a much
needed floral addition to the grounds or that if I was a female middle-aged
teacher from the North there was a good chance I could teach. I like
to think the latter but I was grateful for both the job and the fact that
she managed to keep a straight face throughout the interview.
I soon realised that this was a very special person indeed and the last ten
years have been the most rewarding and enjoyable of my lengthy career.
Her tenacity, commitment and inspiration have been the driving force behind
the phenomenal growth of the school. Long gone are the days when we
could transport the whole school to the beach for an end of year activity
day. School productions have become legendary on the Algarve.
I have fond memories of watching “Oliver”, ”Aladdin”, “Cinderella” “My Fair
Lady” and “The Wizard of Oz” (after making about twenty outfits I never wanted
to see another Munchkin – although I must admit the image of Harvey Martin
in a Munchkin outfit still makes me smile.
There have been bad times of course, like bomb scares, arson attacks and even
personal attacks but Jean has never flinched from defending the school, the
children and the staff. The only occasion I can recall whereby her
courage failed her was when D. Ana Maria discovered a snake in her office
(which was where the sixth form room is now). D. Ana Maria was directed,
in a tremulous voice, to go and check that it had gone. The next image
was of D. Ana Maria sprinting to the top patio and being rapidly overtaken
by the Headteacher. The speeds achieved by the Olympic hopefuls have
yet to be challenged at EISL!
As well as good times we have had tough times (nobody likes a success story)
and morale has often been low, only to be lifted time and again by Jean’s
reassurance, leadership and humour(often outrageous). Children, staff
and many parents will miss her because she is an impossible act to follow.
However, little does she know just how many school camping trips to France
are being hatched at this very moment. We wish Jean, Greg, Greta, Pulga
and the cats a very happy “retirement” in France.
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