Celebrating Teachers

Janet Wilderspin could not be at the TOFA Stage to receive our congratulations on her long and distinguished career.

In 1977 Janet  (Clark) was appointed as the first primary school trained French teacher in WA. At the time, and up until 1995, high school language teachers would travel to their local primary schools for 2 thirty-minute lessons a week.

Janet’s dedication to teaching French led to a varied and successful career across diverse sites within the Education Department including Claremont Demonstration School, The Teaching Practice Department at the Claremont Campus of WACE, SIDE and 5 different primary schools.

One notable achievement was Janet’s creation and introduction of an excellent French program at Lake Monger Primary School. This was seen by the National Education Community as a model of best practice and was written up in the 1996 National Document of Best Practice for Languages.

Janet finished her career at Duncraig Primary School in August 2024. When word spread that she had retired, compliments and accolades poured in from former students, parents and colleagues.

Janet was, and still is, a colourful, dynamic and extremely competent exponent of learning French. Her success comes from a combination of her love of France, and all things French ( as well as German, Indonesian and Italian), her outstanding teaching ability, and her depth of understanding and compassion for the needs of the children she taught.

Nos Felicitations!