Normally in a valedictory the guest of honour is seated up front and appreciates the specially prepared programme.

Not so with Laura Roper, for whom the students and teachers of Mucurapo Girls’ RC School organised a farewell function on Thursday, May 10, to celebrate her 35 years of teaching, 19 of which were spent at the school.

No, Laura had to be up and about, if not in the midst of the children singing, then up front conducting the choir. If you had not been invited and had just happened to pass in the church, you would not have had the faintest idea that the ceremony was being held in Laura’s honour.

The morning’s programme began before it started. Confused? What really happened is that a presentation was made to Laura before the formal proceedings began as one of her past students, now attending St Joseph’s Convent had to do her part and leave for school. So Laura got an early gift to herald the start.

This was followed by Mass celebrated by Fr Gerard Tang Choon O Carm. The Gospel of the day, very appropriate, spoke of how much Jesus loves us.

In his short but deeply spiritual homily Fr Gerard stressed on the love of God and neighbour and exhorted the congregation to put their trust in the Father.

Students of Mucurapo Girls RC School sing with Laura (centre)

Laura Roper, left, sings with her daughter Leanne and Sr Jerome

After the Mass the programme continued with what was billed “Appreciation Segment” where Andrea Stewart, one of Laura’s former colleagues, spoke about her 19 fruitful years at Mucurapo Girls’ RC.

This presentation, which highlighted the teacher emeritus’ many achievements for the school, was punctuated by profuse applause.

Perhaps the most noteworthy of her great works was the fact that she was successful in nurturing the school choir from a position of near musical nonentity to a most respected champion primary school folk choir.

Indeed, anyone who attends the Lydian Singers’ annual Christmas concert at Queen’s Hall would have enjoyed the performances of this school choir, and encored the audience’s favourite Dear Santa Claus performed by the Laura-trained young singers.

It was time for the guest of honour to reply and her words came from a sincere heart. “Because of these experiences (at the school), she confessed, I became a wiser person.” She added that she recognised the importance of an well-rounded education when she began to teach music.

She lamented that the current competitiveness in academics among students and schools has, in her opinion, decreased the value of education and consequently she would like the girls to participate more fully in the arts.

She was convinced that she built their confidence through extra-academic activities. Before concluding, she did not forget to thank Lindy-Ann Bodden-Ritch for her professional accompaniment on the piano.

When the church celebrations were over Laura, with her family, friends and teachers of the school left to continue their reminisces at a luncheon held in her honour at the Singho restaurant, Long Circular Mall.

There again you couldn’t keep her quiet for she was on the floor with her daughter Leanna and her former principal Sr Jerome Boland, the trio entertaining the guests with a melodious performance.

There is no doubt that on everybody’s mind was the question: What will the school do without Laura? Indeed one of the students in church was heard asking her teacher, “Miss, who going to teach us music?’ Perhaps Laura is still asking herself a similar question: Can I really leave Mucurapo Girls’ RC without a music teacher?

Laura, the nation thanks you for the 35 years of service as a teacher and many more years of yeoman service to the nation.