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Interview with Vivien Cassar Vice-President of MACP
by Silvia Galea
SG : Good morning Vivien. We met several years ago for the first time when you visited me as a
counsellor on behalf of a client at my place of work. Tell me a bit more about yourself.
VC: I cannot but start from my ‘unusual’ childhood because it had an enormous impact on me and who I
am. Since my father was in the British army we travelled around a lot. I changed 4 primary schools and 2
secondary schools during my school life. Of the latter, one was a boarding school
in Germany and my GCE’s were done in Singapore where we spent three years.
Now I am retired from the education division where I was a teacher of Maths and
later a counsellor.
SG: How did that change come about
VC: Well when I got married in the early seventies married women had to resign
from service and I did likewise although I taught for a year at a church school.
When the children started coming (we have four) I was at home for 14 years doing part time teaching
of English as a foreign language to German students mainly. I enjoyed it tremendously, it was exhilarating
meeting so many people from different backgrounds but after a while I felt the urge to go back
to schools. Being away for such a long time I felt I needed some kind of refresher course. At the time a
course for a diploma in guidance and counselling was open and I applied.
SG:What does being retired mean to you
VC: I can’t say I really retired! I lectured at university, did work for the education division and long life
learning sector besides voluntary counselling with an NGO. It is surprising how much work there is
around for experienced people in the field of education. And the field of education and counselling really
complement each other. Of course we are also always planning activities for our four grandchildren.
Another aspect is trips abroad that are not limited to school holidays.
SG: How does your counselling in the voluntary sector differ from the work in a school setting.
VC: First of all I am working more with adults. This is the other side of the story, so it gives an interesting
aspect of the fuller picture. I feel I can really guide parents in a way that I would not have been able to if
I had not had the experience of listening ‘through the eyes’ of the youngsters I worked with in schools. A
big thanks goes to them for providing such a wealth of narratives.
SG: What characteristics do you believe have enhanced your work
VC: I believe that the continuous training I have had through both education and counselling workshops,
conferences and seminars have helped me to reflect continuously on my practice. Through these
I have had feedback on various aspects of my work. Perhaps the ones I appreciate being blessed with are
enthusiasm, sunny disposition, creativity and caring. It is important to be passionate about what you do
otherwise it falls flat. Of course a number of people have been influential in shaping who I am, not least
MACP Newsletter - July 2013
3