I got her permission and thus this article from what I know, and telephoned and emailed questions and answers. Goolbai is one of the friendliest of persons, accommodating, and with whom one need not be in constant contact to maintain a friendship which in my case is heavily enhanced with admiration and affectionate regard.
Deshabandu Clara Motwani had founded the school with Mr Mohandas de Mel and Goolbai had just begun her teaching career under her illustrious mother. She extended friendship to me. While Mrs Motwani, to me, was rather distant and a strict disciplinarian, Goolbai was very approachable and friendly. She taught me how to be a Principal. For instance how to handle the Staff; how to deal with parents; how to correct students without being harsh not always easy. Career : She has now retired to a well deserved period of leisure and becoming a stay-at-home wife, mother and grandmother.
I would have delayed those annual promotion tests as long as I could but parents demanded them after Grade 4. I loved teaching and continued to do so for many years even after I became Principal. History was my subject as you know since we were colleagues as teachers for many years! Happiness and fulfillment comes in many ways. In the academic sense β success of students, of course. When one sees the blossoming of children you have had under you since nursery school, satisfaction is great.
Again, when a child writes a book and dedicates it to you the compliment is so appreciated. Or when a parent tells you that you have been a really great Principal. Such moments are the golden moments.
But believe me they are offset by many contrary opinions too!! Arun Welandawe-Prematileleke in He gave the school a great deal of credit for his success because he was a boy who marched to a different drum beat from the beginning. Yet he got on famously at AIS wherehe was given space to develop in his own way.
