By Ariann Khoo (26S06B), Tara Teo (26A01D), Tomi Peh (26S06P)
How often do we pause to appreciate the silent backbone of our school — the non-teaching staff who make learning possible?
As Teachers’ Day draws near, Raffles Press delves into the lives of these unsung heroes: Ms Jossy (Admin staff), Ms Nurul and Mdm Lai (Science Lab staff), and Ms Winnie (Cleaning staff), exploring their daily routine, the challenges that they face, and their lives beyond their roles here in RI.
At first glance, Ms Jossy maintains a quiet demeanor. Her kind eyes and her gentle smile lay four years of dedication as a non- teaching staff, a role she has embraced, having worked in the accounting and business industry previously. Her day begins early at 7.30am, where she juggles everything from reporting the attendance for the teachers, replenishing the staff pantry, to managing the homework submission corner in the day.
Having been previously stationed at the library, she fondly recalls the tranquility within its walls and the almost meditative and therapeutic process of sorting through shelves of books. Yet, with her curious mind and an adventurous spirit for exploration, she welcomed the opportunity to step out from the quiet shelves and into the heart of our school life– working closely with the teachers and discovering how the school runs on a more intricate level.
When asked what was one moment– big or small– that gave her the greatest sense of satisfaction in her line of work or what was most meaningful about her job, she replied simply, the act of fulfilling the requests of others, to be able to serve and the ability to be of help and support was what she responded with such fluidity and grace.
This same steady dedication to serving the school is what spurs her to overcome whatever challenge she faces. When the teachers requested a Chinese book for the library that couldn’t be locally sourced and was out of print, Ms Jossy didn’t just give up. After hours of searching, she found the book sold in a Taiwan bookshop, but learnt that it could not be shipped to Singapore.
Many would have given up at this point. Still, she persisted in making it happen, eventually asking her husband who was in Taiwan to hand carry back the book. It is her simple but mighty belief that “anything can be done” that fuels her to go above and beyond in every single task.
The fact that non-teaching staff are so overlooked should be a sobering reality. They rally wholeheartedly behind the school community, but in truth, not many even know them by name, let alone appreciate them for all that they do. Our teachers are greatly loved: we shower them with gifts, cards, even nominate them for countless awards, but what about our non-teaching staff?
For each of the things we take for granted, a great deal of care and consideration is needed to make them happen, oftentimes more than we are willing to extend to these staff.
