Val Myers – Food Technician
Murray Saunders
Val Myers commenced at PLC in February 1996 as a part-time Canteen Assistant. After five years in this position, she took on the role of Food and Textile Assistant, which she held until she left PLC.
Commencing in January 1990, Mr Saunders was a much loved and respected English teacher who had significant impact on staff and students during his time at PLC. He mostly taught Year 12 English and General English but never taught Year 7 English in his entire time at the School.
With a background in window dressing, Val used her creative skills in her position PLC. For each ‘Food’ class she would arrange fresh produce for students as though it was on display; from lemons beautifully placed in a wicker basket to vegetables strategically displayed on the bench top. She also made sure she saved the School money by visiting fresh food markets ensuring produce was the best quality and the best possible price! Arts Day was a particular favourite for Val. She loved setting up and presenting tables with coloured tablecloths covered with beautiful student work. She was incredibly generous with her time for Arts Day. Each year, Val would deliver to PLC staff the Home Economics Department’s student Christmas gifts of homemade pickles, chutneys and jams. She would also share little ‘tastes’ of food that had been prepared by students in class. To staff, Val would always make a point of recommending great recipes and would attach a copy of a good recipe on the back of any invoice sent to Accounts! She loved to share. Val’s two daughters, Kate (1998) and Lauren (1999) attended PLC. We farewelled Val in November 2019 after a magnificent tenure of almost 23 years. We thank Val for her dedication and commitment to PLC and wish her well for the future.
A key to his teaching was his ability to communicate with the students and clearly explain what they needed to know and how to improve. He cared; he listened and knew the girls as individuals. He engaged even the most reluctant students and even if they didn’t love English they loved his classes, coming away with more knowledge and skills, and a better understanding of the world than they started with. The girls saw being in Mr Saunders class as a ‘rite of passage’ at PLC. Known for his wonderful stories and great sense of humour, they especially enjoyed reading his feedback on their work, such as ‘good without being brilliant’ and ‘confused and confusing.’ For 28 of his 29 years at PLC, Mr Saunders held the position of Ferguson House Advisor. In this role he willingly and bravely put himself out there doing most things girls asked. He dressed up, danced, sung and acted his way into their hearts. In the 1993 Staff Concert, he danced Swan Lake in a pink tutu with two of his male colleagues and later broke his ankle in a staff/student soccer game. He participated wholeheartedly in PLC life. As a colleague, he was supportive, encouraging and generous with his time, knowledge and resources. He mentored and influenced staff, giving great advice and guidance, inspiring others to be the best teacher they could be. Mr Saunders was a genuine and humble role model to PLC staff. After 29 years of dedicated and dependable service, Mr Saunders retired from PLC at the end of Term 1, 2019. We thank Mr Saunders for his significant, genuine and passionate teaching which instilled a love of literature and critical thinking in his students. We wish him all the very best as he enjoys retirement.
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