Interview date: November 22, 2002
Interviewer: Enoch Lau
Transcribed by Enoch Lau from the taped copy

Interview:
NB: How do you say "I love green cheese" in Lebanese?
GR: (something in Lebanese)
NB: What were your first impressions of Fort Street when you first came here in 1998?
GR: It was a very, very different school. The minute I walked in, I was surprised to hear the music. That was very unfamiliar from where I come from, from the school I came from. It was a very different environment, very different types of students; it took me a while to settle in, but I enjoyed every minute of it, and I am sure that I will never ever meet a school like this.
NB: So what is the best thing about Fort Street that you will miss when you leave?
GR: OK, I will miss basically the intelligence, the tact, the co-ed environment, the maturity of the kids. I'll miss the creativity. I'll miss most their independence, their social skills; I'll miss the mix in the classroom. I'll miss now the staff. It's the whole thing - it's just a superb school, and I'm very sorry that I'm leaving it, but people have to move on.
NB: What's the most annoying thing about Fort Street?
GR: The most annoying thing about Fort Street is the hard work that teachers seem to get stuck into. I mean, sometimes, at times, I will even lose time with my family, because I have to do this for the students. However, the rewards after are really good. The other thing that sometimes might be a little annoying is that some students are very, very confident in terms of what they do and sometimes it might come across as a bit annoying to the teachers…
NB: Especially in computing?
GR: Especially in computing. But, however, it's the strategies that the teachers take in order to utilise that confidence in a good way. So if you're honest from the beginning, you would say to the students, "Alright, this is how much I know. I might need your help in other things." I think usually students in this school react well to that, it's much better than going into the classroom and saying, "Right, I am the teacher. I know everything, and you're going to listen to me." It doesn't work - ok, especially in technology, especially in maths, and all subjects I think, because they are very, very mature and intelligent students that I think they sometimes know much more than the teacher.
NB: Do you have any parting words to say to the school community? Any final words?
GR: OK, Fort Street, I have enjoyed every single minute of my four years in this school. I have learnt a lot from you; I have matured professionally, through the students, through the parents and through the staff. It has been very enjoyable; I will not regret ever coming here, no matter how hard I work sometimes, and no matter how difficult it became in some situations, but I am very happy with all the achievements that the students have gotten so far. I'm really thrilled at the support, I'm really, really, very happy, and I cannot adequately describe in words of what it means for students to appreciate a teacher. It makes the whole difference. It gives me the drive, and the motivation to move further in my career, and all I have to do when I'm angry is to think of the good times I have here, and the appreciation the students have for me and for the school. It's really good. Thank you for all your support and I'll hope I'll see you soon in the near future. Thank you.
NB: One last question. What is the Windows API?
GR: What? (laughter) Enoch, you're embarrassing. What does it stand for? Tell me.
NB: Application Programming Interface.
GR: Ah, right, OK. He's the excellent person here. Right, you know more than me Enoch, what can I say? All right, thank you.
NB: Thank you.

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Interview date: November 22, 2002
Interviewer: Angela Diec
Transcribed by Angela Diec

NB: Hi, Mr Rezcallah, seeing how you're leaving soon, I'm sure that the whole student body would like to know more about you…you know, the REAL facts that you have never told us! So can I have an interview with you?

Mr R: Yes, of course.

NB: What's your full name?

Mr R: George Albert Rezcallah.

NB: What was the last school that you abandoned for Fort St?

Mr R: Liverpool Boys High School.

NB: Ok, now for some personal questions… What would you do with your last $10?

Mr R: I would take my family out and spend it in whatever way they wanted.

NB: Yes, I'm sure you would be able to use it wisely seeing how you're a Maths teacher and all. What colour would you dye your hair?

Mr R: Well…that is IF I had any hair. Dark Brown I suppose.

NB: Why dark brown though? Why not something daring like red?

Mr R: Because…I think dark brown suits me more, I like it.

NB: What can't you say no to?

Mr R: Having a good time.

NB: What is the most annoying thing?

Mr R: The worst thing that could happen is when you try to talk and no one listens to you. As a teacher, that annoys me the most.

NB: What would you be if you weren't a teacher?

Mr R: I would be involved in a family business, I do not know doing what but that's probably what I would be doing instead.

NB: What is your favourite word or saying?

Mr R: JALLA! ("Come on/Hurry up" in Arabic)

NB: What is your favourite Maths equation?

Mr R: Hmm…that's a tough question, there are so many. Ok write down this one, oh wait, maybe not, this one is easier, I can derive almost any equation from this one… sin2x + cos2x = 1

NB: Well, now some questions about life, yours and the students in general. Describe Fort St Life in a few words.

Mr R: Challenging, Interesting, creative, enjoyable. You know, sometimes even I think Maths is hard to enjoy and can be a pain to teach, but I have really enjoyed teaching it here at Fort St.

NB: What do you like most about this school?

Mr R: The mix of student is really great. I enjoy the intelligence and tolerance in students; it is hard to find that in other schools. I also like the environment that it's surrounded in, the trees and green everywhere, it really is a good school.

NB: Yeah it is. What is the most inspiring thing to you?

Mr R: My faith - it inspires me to go on even during the bad times…

NB: Any pearls of wisdom you would like to give to the students before you leave?

Mr R: Yes, Never Settle For Less Than Your Best.

NB: Thank you Mr Rezcallah. I'm sure all the students that have had the privilege of having you as their Maths teacher will really miss you. Although you are not here anymore to guide us I'm sure that the knowledge that we have acquired over the time that we have had you will be of great assistance to us in the HSC and the future. As a representative of NotaBene and Fort Street, we wish you the best of luck in the future, and Thank You for everything.