The View

Farewell


After a combined 57 years of service, Mount Carmel College were saddened to farewell Sheryl Woulleman-King and Rosie Lynch.  The whole College formed a guard of honour to farewell Sheryl and Rosie on 2nd August, children from all year levels and staff had a tear in their eye as they said thank you to two very special people.  They both felt like movie stars as the whole College applauded them for the gifts they had brought to the College, it was a really beautiful memory for Sheryl, Rosie and the whole school community.

 

Sheryl has worked in many different roles during her 34 years of service, including teacher’s aide, canteen helper, clerical assistant and keeping the College clean. When she started at the College, the school was run by the Sisters of Charity and Sheryl cleaned the school by herself. After 4 years of doing this, Sheryl asked Sr Maria if she could work with the children and from there, the first teacher’s aide at Mount Carmel was born. Sheryl admits that this was a big step for her, but the best that she could ever have done. Sheryl also put many hours of work into attaining her Diploma of Child Care,  the children at Before School care were always very pleased to have Sheryl as the first person they saw in the morning. 

 

Sheryl said that her fondest memories of her time at Mount Carmel include:

  • The Teddy Bears Picnic at the Botanical Gardens with Ida Saracino and her students
  • Going to Battery Point Park with Ida Saracino, Michelle Wall and their students all dressed up as pirates with broken arms and legs
  • Being outside at lunchtime with the early years students and telling stories
  • Friendships with staff and students, some of which have become her family. When people ask Sheryl if she has had any children, she replies “yes, I have thousands”.

Sheryl has seen many changes and transformations throughout her time at Mount Carmel and never thought she would be at the school for as long as she had.

 

Rosie started at Mount Carmel in 1998 and has enjoyed her time at the school, made many friends, takes with her a lot of memorable moments, sad, happy, ups and downs….all of which she would never have had any other way. Like Sheryl, Rosie also considers Mount Carmel as her family with its wonderful students, staff and atmosphere. 

 

Rosie has such high praise for Sheryl who has been a great supervisor, friend and offsider. She likens Sheryl to a roadmap – teachers would go to her for anything and everything, she knew where to go, what to do, where everything goes and could find anything. Anything you needed to know, you just had to ask Sheryl, nothing was too much trouble.

 

Sheryl and Rosie took such pride in their work and kept everything in immaculate condition, they did little things to help people and went that extra mile to make sure everything was done. They are already being missed, but we understand they too are ready for a new chapter in their story. We know they will still visit and remain important members of our school community in years to come.