Teacher cited for commitment to education and church ministry
Though attending Avondale was a “family expectation,” Narece Thapa (nee Charleson) saw her education as training for mission and adventure. Both came soon after Thapa, the recipient of a citation from the Class of 1986 at Homecoming this year, graduated with a Bachelor of Education (English). She would volunteer as a language teacher in Nepal for a year with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency.
The next two years saw Thapa teach at Lilydale Adventist Academy in Victoria before she returned to Nepal, this time working with the British Council. She married Mahesh Thapa in 1990 and taught language for the next five years in Kathmandu, with a prince of the Nepalese royal family as one of her pupils.
After the Thapas returned to Australia, Narece completed a Graduate Diploma of Education (TESOL) at the University of South Australia before beginning casual and part-time teaching at Central Coast Adventist School (CCAS). She received her Graduate Certificate of Education (Special Education) in 2001 and moved into a role in the special needs and the gifted and talented programs at the school, before becoming the Head of English in 2006. She continues to work at CCAS as an English teacher and a year coordinator.
As the mother of four boys—Kiran, Sunjay, Sachin and Tashi—Thapa’s adult life “has been centred around my kids and their interests.” But she still finds time for hobbies and ministry and, in particular, prayer—Thapa leads prayer teams at both Haven Campus Church and CCAS. Her continued goal in life: “Learning to pray God’s will into our family, school, community and church—and noticing what the Holy Spirit is doing.”
The Class of 1986 honours Narece Thapa for service to Adventist education and commitment to local church ministry.
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