VPHS
Mrs Stephi Russell
Mrs Stephi Russell with husband Ken at the graduation of their
daughter, Kelly
ing is about so much more than just the classroom.
A subject specialist, she truly believes that her students need to grow as people. On that note, she has
loved her classroom itself and is so grateful that she
has been able to do what she likes in it.
Mrs Russell is putting down her pens and putting
up her feet after seventeen years of teaching Biology, now Life Science, at Victoria Park. The Russell family had moved here from the then Transvaal,
now Gauteng, where she had been teaching at King
Edward School, among other schools, and what a
blessing that has been for us!
She has been a wonderfully loyal colleague to her
school, fully committed to the VP ethos and dear
friend to many, spending many Friday afternoons
sharing our lives and laughing uproariously. She has
a naughty and infectious sense of humour, a particular charm and is a well-respected people’s person
who genuinely cares about others.
This perfectly groomed and gracious lady, with the
softly spoken voice soon crept into our hearts. Steffi, as we know her, has been involved with Interact
for many years and was even presented with the
coveted Paul Harris award for her service to Rotary.
Passionate about charity and service, Mrs Russell
drives the grocery collection for our support staff
each year, making up enormous Christmas boxes.
Her friends will often tease her about her seductive
Marilyn Monroe voice as she advertised such things
as Winter Woolly Week.
For years she has been the teacher in charge of the
student teachers and new members of staff, often
imparting pearls of wisdom in her quiet way. She
has been involved in many areas of school life, even
as hockey and girls’ soccer manageress, as well as
helping with tennis.
As long as I can remember she has been the lady
grade head of Grade 8, serving as serene and caring
mommy to all the new little ones to our school, ensuring that the Staff is rewarding her grade 8s with
merits for good work. At the annual grade 8 camps
she took the role of chief cook and bottle washer,
always mucking in where needed and showing concern for all and sundry.
Proud and loving mother to daughter Kelly, who has
become a doctor, we have shared in both Russell
parents’ delight at her achievement. Steffi is also a
lover of travel, providing her friends with many interesting and amusing stories.
Her colleague, Mrs Monteith, has the following to
say about Steff:
“Knowing Mrs Russell for the past 8 years has been
Mrs Russell is an absolute team player and “old
school” in her work ethic, fully aware that teach-
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