GEORGE NEWS - Holy Cross Primary School's popular Grade 7 teacher, Leon Prezens - known to all as "Mr P" - will be retiring at the end of the year after 24 years at the school. While Mr P has no immediate dreams for the future, he would like to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
However, he and his wife Joleen plan to visit their son in Sweden, from where they will be going to Japan to watch the World Rugby Tournament in the hope that South Africa will bring back the cup and glory to South Africa!
Born in Cape Town, Mr P acquired his Primary Teachers' Certificate and Primary Teacher's Diploma at Hewat Training College. He also completed his BA degree, studying part-time through Unisa, majoring in English, natural sciences, geography and pedagogy.
He met Joleen in 1973 while they were aspirant teachers in Cape Town. In January 1976 he started teaching at Norma Road Primary, but soon he moved to George and after a two-year engagement, he and Joleen tied the knot in the St Mark's Cathedral in the summer of 1978. They have two children and four grandchildren.
He taught at George High School until 1992 and was then promoted to principal at Klipdrift Primary School - a post he held until his early retirement at the end of 1993.
In 1995 he joined Holy Cross. The principal, Jane Askew, said not only has he been an outstanding teacher, head of department, chairman of the former National Union of Educators (NUE) Southern Cape and shop steward of Naptosa, he was also a very competent rugby, cricket and chess coach.
"When the school called on his services, whether as master of ceremonies, the voice of reason at meetings, or as singer, actor or comedian, he would readily avail himself. Who could ever forget his impersonation of Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard at the local school plays?" she said.
Askew wished him a happy step into retirement. "Goodbye Tension, Hello Pension! Enjoy this new and exciting chapter in your life!"
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