A preschool’s past, present and future

Posted on 4 April, 2019

In her 46 years of teaching at Red Hill’s French-Australian Preschool, Valerie Forner has seen generations come and go, but she has never forgotten a face.

“I never forget the children who come here, even when they grow to become adults and bring their own kids in,” Valerie says.

“I have always loved these kids dearly and treated them like my own. Even when I go on holidays, I miss them. I can’t help it – I’ve never seen what I do as ‘work.’”

Her impressive memory aside, it’s a remarkable feat in itself that Valerie has been with the not-for-profit preschool and childcare since it opened its doors back in 1973, watching on as the children she teaches grow and have children of their own – many of whom then follow in their parent’s footsteps and join the school.

Over the years the preschool has become an integral part of Canberra’s multilingual community, offering progressive immersion in French language and culture for children between three and five years of age.

Photo by Ben Bundy – Aquila Pro Foto

Many of the children are fluent in more than two languages – walking in and out of the school gates you are met with a pleasant fusion of Arabic, French, Greek and Italian.

Valerie herself is fluent in Arabic, Greek, Italian and French: born in Egypt, she and her grandmother immigrated to Australia in the mid 1960s.

Originally settling in Sydney, she travelled to Canberra “just to see the snow” but ended up meeting her husband – “a blonde- haired, blue-eyed Italian,” and the rest as they say, is history.

Already fluent in French and with a few years teaching experience under her belt, the newly opened French Australian Preschool was a natural choice for a job.

She can still recall her first day, when the school looked very different to what it is now.

“It was very tiny compared to now, there were only a few rooms,” she says.

“Many mothers didn’t work back then so the children struggled more to settle in because they had never been to a childcare before. When I comfort them I have always told them, ‘you’ll only ever have one mummy and I can’t replace her. But I love you and care for you, and you are safe with me.’ It takes them a while but they always settle.”

Valerie admits she never thought she’d stay as long as she did. “I kept saying I’ll just stay another couple years, then a few years would pass and then 46 years passed,” she laughs.

“I stay here for the children. My grandchildren are all grown now, so I enjoy this age. They are very vulnerable when they are three, they need that gentle care.”

Photo by Ben Bundy – Aquila Pro Foto

It’s clear the infatuation is mutual when Valerie and I meet – during our interview, several children come up for a hug or to show her a painting. After all these years, Valerie’s warmth and nurturing nature has never waned.

They key to it all, she says, is “patience.”

“To succeed at this kind of role, it requires a lot of nurturing and patience, if you do that they will remember you forever,” she says.

“If you have any problems that morning, you leave them at the door. The children, they are very perceptive and can tell if you’re in a bad mood – they pick up on that.”

Valerie’s love of the job was no more clear than a few years ago, when she was told that new changes would mean all teaching staff would require a diploma in childhood – something that wasn’t required when she first began teaching. At the age of 69, it would have been easy to call it a day and retire, but the thought never crossed her mind. Instead, she undertook what was to be a two-year course – and completed it in just six months. As she hadn’t ever used computers, everything was scrupulously handwritten, surprising her lecturer at the time.

“I think I shocked everyone,” she laughs.

“The choice to stop working never crossed my mind. Why would I want to do that when I love every day?”

In that time, more changes have been in store for the school Valerie so fiercely loves. Currently, it urgently needs to raise $1.6 million so that it can undertake essential renovations to meet Australian building standards.

“As a not-for-profit association, the school is not eligible for government funding and requires community support,” says Véronique Danjou, Director of the preschool.

The original preschool building

The school recently completed stage one of the renovations, adding new classrooms to replace the outdated demountable building, and the front of the existing building has been extended to include an office and welcome area for parents and visitors.

“Stage two includes the much-needed renovation of the existing building, this includes classroom joinery, carpets and flooring, bathroom fixtures and appliances,” says Véronique.

“A substantial amount of community support is needed. We have so many families who have come through with all these beautiful memories here, and the 50th Anniversary of the preschool is coming in 2023. We would love for the renovations to be done to celebrate this milestone.”

Valerie is hopeful she can continue to see the school she loves flourish.

“The word retire isn’t really in my vocabulary I don’t think – I hope I’ll be working with these kids for years to come.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donate

To donate to the preschool building fund, head to frenchaustralianpreschool.com.au orgivenow.com.au

Grants

Public grants may assist with covering some the building project costs. If you hear of a grant that may be suitable for the school to apply, please email faps.fundraising@gmail.com

Direct Donation or Sponsorship

The school is open to direct donation, sponsorship and in-kind donation and available for any conversation where support may be provided. Please contact faps.fundraising@gmail.com

Buy a brick

Current and former families are encouraged to “Buy A Brick” which provides a lasting memory of their contribution to the school. Families can either submit a simple drawing or their names to be imprinted on the brick. Forms are available from the school or via the FAPS website frenchaustralianpreschool.com.au