Without the concierge, everything will go awry
For many students, the janitor is the most important person of their school days, someone they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Cor Lohmeijer is a janitor at De Knotwilg primary school in Amsterdam
'My wife says I might as well sleep here'
Cor Lohmeijer, caretaker at De Knotwilg primary school in Amsterdam, is a jack of all trades, so the preschoolers sometimes call him the director.
“I'm not into theory, but more into practice. When I was fifteen I stopped with the LTS and started as an apprentice plumber. Then I repaired sewing machines, filled paint jars in a factory, delivered coffee to the market and eventually became a forklift driver.
When I was 27, I fell off the roof of a truck while unloading. After seven operations on my shoulder, it turned out that I could no longer do my job. I went through the entire trajectory of sickness benefit, customization and Melkert jobs. Thirty years ago, my son was in primary school here and I volunteered to help out with some odd jobs. When they were looking for a new concierge, I was hired. Since then, no day has been the same. One minute I'm rummaging in a clogged toilet bowl and the next I'm sitting at the computer. I taught myself how to work with computers, it's not all that difficult. It's also nice that you can't plan what you're going to do one day, because things always go differently.
I live a five minute walk from the school, which means I can get there quickly. My wife sometimes says I might as well sleep here. My working days are from XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX p.m. And if there's a meeting or other gathering in the evening, I'll be there too. My wife also regularly helps out, so we work together at school on weekends. What makes the work especially enjoyable is the contact with parents, teachers and children. When I visit the preschoolers, they say: Master Cor is the director. He sees everything, knows everything and can do everything† Recently a former student came by to bring her child, who said: Master Cor, you are still here! Then I thought, now I'm getting old."
Annemieke Bakker is a janitor at IKC de IJsselhof in Zwolle
'I am seen as the face of the school, and that's how I feel'
Annemieke Bakker, janitor at IKC de IJsselhof in Zwolle, selects assistant janitors from groups 7 and 8 every year.
“My working life took place in the Blokker for 26 years. While I was still working in the store, six years ago I was asked to become a janitor at the school where I did the administration one day a week. The work seemed fun to me, so I took the plunge. It hasn't disappointed me a day. I especially love the variety and that no day is the same.
But the most fun is the contact with the children. They often help me and know where to find me if there is something wrong. Every year I choose assistant janitors from groups 7 and 8. Children who occasionally have a hard time in the classroom. They really need to apply to me for this position, write a letter and have an interview. Their duties range from picking up the paper from the classrooms to helping with the class shows. I have eleven this year. Handy, especially now that it is extra busy at the end of the school year. Like with ordering the stuff for the new school year and all other practical jobs.
I also go on a camp with group 8, three days in a camping farm in Ommen. During the camp I am responsible for the facilities part such as the shopping, although we all do that together, and as a certified emergency response officer for the first aid in case of accidents. But of course I go there for fun. I am seen as the face of the school, and that is how I feel. In 2018 I was surprised by all the children and parents in the gym when it turned out that I had become the Zwolle janitor of the year. I knew nothing. The appointment is especially dear to me because the parents had nominated me. A great moment in my career as a janitor so far.”
Harald Davidse Godfroid is a janitor at Jenaplanschool De Brug in Utrecht
'I don't have to teach them anything, I'm just there for them'
Harald Davidse Godfroid, caretaker at Jenaplanschool De Brug in Utrecht, can always be reached on one of his three telephones.
“I just put a sticker version of King on the square, a four-square ball game. The children often play it and color the boxes with chalk on the tiles, but after a rain shower it disappears again. My work goes from job to job, in and around the building. And even if I am outside, I can always be reached on one of the three telephones: landline, work mobile and private mobile. In fact, everything is mixed up. Especially now that all kinds of activities are arranged at the end of the year, such as a summer festival, and all lines are coming out with me.
Rarely can I finish a job in one go, because something always comes in between. A plaster that needs to be stuck, an IT problem, or something bigger. Like the other day when one of the class supporters called in the morning that he couldn't come because of a private situation. In addition to wanting to be there for him, we also had to ensure that his duties were taken over. The first communication often lies with me.
I've been working here for ten years now and I've gotten so much back in that time. From the teachers and parents and especially from the students. For example, there is a pupil who often comes to school in his spare time to play football or have a chat. He has lived here for two years now and his Dutch is improving by leaps and bounds. I am a part of that and that makes me proud. If the children in the class are not doing well for a while, they often come to me too: 'I'm a bit hyper, can I sweep the square.' Then I grab the brooms and we sweep together until they calm down again. The good thing is that my role is different. I don't have to teach them anything, I'm just there for them.”
You can read this article for free from the Education magazine of June. News, backgrounds and tips in your mailbox every month? Word AObmember!
