At Southern Cross Schools we are extremely fortunate to have the best drama teacher any school could ever wish for. Maureen Lahoud is not only incredibly talented and deeply passionate, but she absolutely loves what she does. Her love of expression is like a magical spell which she casts on all the children who work with her.
From her elaborate and vibrant school productions, that just get better and better, to the individual and group Eisteddfod pieces that she helps the children and learners with, Maureen is an absolute gem. Her brilliance and creativity, her zealous approach to everything she does is contagious and we just adore having her as part of our school.
In her own words she explains why she is so passionate and how she instils this in her students…..
My first teaching experience was in KwaZulu-Natal for four years, just after I had graduated with my Drama Honours degree in 1982. I was privileged to work for Professor Sneddon, the incredible woman who actually got drama accepted as a subject in schools and universities.
I taught dance and drama in studios that I established along the coast in KwaZulu-Natal from Redhill to Tongaat, as well as for schools in Pinetown and Westville. (It helped me pay back my degree fees). I was tempted to study Paediatric Psychology but chose to use myPsychology degree and dance and drama qualifications to work with children directly in the field.
Everyone is insecure in some way or another. Everyone has talents that they are not aware of or some have ideas that they have talents they actually don’t have. I feel blessed to have been given a glorious gift of recognising these talents.
I like to understand each child and know their limits.
I like to have fun with the children while we explore their individuality and not pressurise them with judgement or rejection.
This is a very emotional and sensitive area, so building a child’s confidence in themselves is very specific to each child. Age, religion, race and social background.
Just believing in them is essential.
And I can never be false, because children know. They have instincts like animals, so you cannot pretend. It has to be real, sometimes cruel, but always honest.
This is a delicate question, because having watched many children at other schools in the 2021 Eisteddfod, I realise there is so much talent everywhere in this town. The difference is, who is driving them? How long will they pursue their journey to develop their talents?
It is necessary to understand that the drama curriculum at SCS is not to develop actors or stage performers. It is to grow children to be confident in LIFE.
From Grade 1 right up to Grade 7, I reiterate that we are preparing the children for life skills.
Whether to practice being a doctor, headmaster, lawyer, sales rep, guide or politician, we all communicate, and we need to do this confidently.
And maybe it might be on TV or the stage.
Can you ever imagine watching a child who does not belong to you, grow up from Grade 000 and graduate in Grade 7 and you have been part of their development! It is the most incredible journey. It is a phenomenal experience, and the best part is when the children start teaching you. That is how we grow.
