Susan Lowy (nee Rosen) worked for KU Children’s Services over a period of 27 years. Her son, Simon, and daughter, Jessica, attended KU services and now her granddaughter, Piper, is on a waiting list to start at KU. Susan shared some of her memories with Alumni Connect.

“I started working for KU in 1972 and left in 1999 to pursue a career as a librarian. During those years I married my husband in 1973 and took a few breaks to travel overseas and care for my young family.

Beginning my career as a teacher, I worked at KU Sunbeam in Alexandria, KU Peter Pan in La Perouse, and KU Frank Saywell in Surry Hills from 1972 to 1974.

In 1975 I was appointed Director at KU Leichhardt Preschool and remained there until the end of 1976.

I then travelled overseas and returned in 1978 to take up casual teaching until a permanent position became available. I remember working at KU Palmer Street in Darlinghurst, at KU Maybanke in Pyrmont, and KU John J. Carroll in Surry Hills to name a few.

During 1980 to 1985 I stepped away from work. My husband and I adopted two babies from Colombia, our son, Simon in 1980 and our daughter, Jessica in 1982. Simon attended KU Rushcutters Bay Preschool in 1984-85 and Jessica in 1986-87.

I resumed working part-time in 1986 at several KU services as a support teacher for children with additional needs until 1997. This is when I would have met and worked with Marcia Burgess, whose legacy is now the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation.

In my final years at KU, I held a job share position as a teacher three days a week at KU Rushcutters Bay Preschool from 1998-99 and did a stint at KU Leichhardt, before resigning to pursue my interests to work as a librarian.

I have many wonderful memories of firstly working for KU, and then of my children Simon and Jessica attending KU Rushcutters Bay who enjoyed their time there. Now my 2-year-old granddaughter, Piper, is on a waiting list to enrol at KU Rushcutters Bay in 2025!

I came from quite a sheltered life and through KU I met and worked with families and staff from all walks of life. Some of those highlights for me were:

  • having to design and build a new sandpit at KU Leichhardt Preschool, and I think the result was excellent;
  • at my wedding in 1973 I was surprised by a group of children and their parents who came to see me as a bride;
  • working with a child with severe cerebral palsy who absolutely loved interacting and observing her peers;
  • music time with Elaine Keating at KU Frank Saywell; and
  • over the years working with longstanding KU Directors including Elaine Keating, Beth Manning and Katie Cassim.”

Susan joined the KU Alumni in 2022 after making a tribute gift on behalf of a friend to KU Marcia Burgess Foundation.

Thank you, Susan, for sharing your story with Alumni Connect.

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