For rector Bert Kozijn, Thursday’s farewell to the HWC did not begin with a final meeting or a plenary session, but with a walk through the school. Along the route, pupils and staff lined up to wave him off with applause.
Later in the day, the farewell reception followed in a packed theatre hall. There, (former) staff members, parents, pupils, Mayor Poppens, representatives of the Cedergroep and headteachers from schools in the region gathered to thank Bert for his years at the HWC.
Anyone who knows Bert knows that his involvement does not stop at the HWC. Therefore, to mark his retirement, he did not ask for a personal gift, but rather a contribution to Smile at School, the educational project in Ghana with which our school has been connected for many years.
That request did not go unanswered: thanks to generous donations, the total currently stands at over 1,300 euros; a wonderful amount raised!
In his thank-you speech to all staff, Bert said:
“It was an honour and a pleasure to have been your rector. Thank you for the good and wonderful years!”
And the feeling was entirely mutual!
