When Liz Chiarentin closes the gate of Wallsend Community Preschool for the final time on Monday, she’ll be leaving her beloved workplace with a collection of more than 33 years worth of fond memories.
Saying farewell to the learning space she has called her second home for three decades though, will not be an easy task.
After a career that began on 1 February 1988, Liz says it is the sounds of children’s laughter that she will miss the most.
“I just love children’s voices,” she said.
“I love their stories, I love their smiles, and I love the sounds they make when they’re playing.”
The mother-of-three has seen many changes in the early education realm since she began her career.
“Early childhood is forever changing and that’s why I have lasted 33 years,” she said.
“It’s not a job you can get bored at. There are new things being introduced all the time.”
According to Liz, education for three to five year olds has advanced over the years.
“Programs that encourage self-choices and resilience have brought about a massive change and I’ve really enjoyed that,” she said.
“We also cater more to working families now.”
Liz admits she has also enjoyed growing alongside the industry.
“I’ve seen children, their parents and their grandparents come through this preschool,” she explained.
“People bring photos of their preschool days to show me and there I am.
“My hairdos have changed a lot over the years, that’s for sure. I started in 1988 remember, so it was all big, frizzy hair back then.”
And while she says she’s happy if those perms are forgotten, she does harbour a quiet hope that she is remembered for her empathy.
“I feel very grateful that I have done what I wanted in my life. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved,” she told Newcastle Weekly.
“I’d like to be remembered as someone who was accepting of all and non-judgemental.
“We work with a very diverse range of people, and you have to have the skills to make everybody feel welcome. I’ve always wanted people to feel that I do that, staff included.
“We all have tough days and we need to look after each other and support each other. I hope my legacy is as a team-member. I think I’d be most proud of that.”
Preschool is the last step before school, but it’s not only the three R’s that Liz believes youngsters must master before they leave her care.
“It’s about teaching them resilience to cope with everything that school will bring,” she said.
“It’s not necessarily about learning your ABCs, it’s more about them feeling confident in themselves to cope with that next step, those new challenges, those new social situations, and the new playgrounds.”
So, when she closes the gate on the Douglas Street address that she first entered when she was 23 and recently married on Monday 13 December, Liz says she will do so with fond memories of the 2287 postcode.
“When I first walked in here all those years ago I felt it was such a beautiful community and I really believe in community,” she said.
“Wallsend is such a beautiful community, it’s always been like that.”
On Wednesday 24 November Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery submitted a community recognition statement about Liz Chiarentin at the first session of the 57th parliament.
The statement detailed Liz’s respected career and her dedication to the children and families of the local community.
“Liz demonstrates an unwavering commitment to teaching,” it read.
“Her integral partnerships with colleagues have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of families.”
“Her warm, empathetic, calm and gentle disposition, along with her flexibility and openness to the pursuit of quality, has resulted in a stellar career in early education.
“Children, families, staff and management, both past, present and future of Wallsend Community Preschool, are indebted to Liz for her contribution to the service and the integral role that she has played over her 33 years employment.”
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