STAFF REPORT 2008
“To a mind of flint, the teacher must be iron, and strike sparks .To the empty pitcher, the teacher becomes a well. To the fallow mind, a planter of seeds. To the cluttered mind, a gardener to weed, shape, and clear a space for growing.”
What an awesome responsibility rests on the shoulders of teachers! The staff faced all challenges posed by the newly- implemented FET curriculum in true Victorian spirit, often agonizing over syllabi and departmental expectations. However, they have with true commitment, tried to “strike sparks”, and “plant seeds” and in so doing, have tried to foster academic excellence in a nurturing and caring environment.
Victoria Park welcomed several new members of staff this year. Ms Jennifer McGrath was appointed in Mrs Jacqui Rennie’s place after her unexpected resignation at the end of last year to join her husband who had received a wonderful job opportunity in America–an offer he “couldn’t refuse.” Mrs McGrath, who teaches visual art and design, has wide experience both as a teacher and a graphic designer. She is undeniably a wonderful asset to the art department.
Mr Kenneth-John Snodgrass, who was a learnership student at Victoria Park last year, was appointed to teach English. His imposing presence belies the fact that he is, in reality, a gentle giant, unless he is on the rugby field! He has an impressive track record, having represented Eastern Province from 2003 to 2005, the Falcons and the Spears Super 14 in 2006 and NMMU’s first team from 2003 to 2007. His unashamed passion for the sport has spilled over to the team he coached this year. Another former PGCE student, Mr Ryan Thatcher, accepted a post to teach Business Studies and EMS, and like Mr Snodgrass is “sport crazy” and his skills have been used to coach both junior hockey and cricket.
Hockey at Victoria Park has benefited greatly by the admirable skills and vast experience of new staff members, Mr Ryan Hendry and Mrs Gail Taylor. Mr Hendry, who teaches EMS, Technology, Tourism and Business Studies, has excelled as a sportsman and has represented various provinces in an impressive number of sports: hockey, soccer, squash, swimming, gymnastics, cricket, table tennis diving and biathlon! In addition to coaching hockey and cricket at Victoria Park, he is also the coach of the Old Grey Premier Ladies’ team and the EP U18 Girls’ team. He is extremely proud of the two National U17 players and the five National U18 players who have emerged from the latter team. Mrs Gail Taylor represented Eastern Province as a Victoria Park pupil and then went on to being a member of the senior provincial team and the South African U23 hockey squad. She is also an ex EP Schools’ coach and selector and has been responsible for the coaching of the 2nd Girls’ team this year. She teaches CAT and we are delighted to welcome her back as part of the VP family.
Ex Victorian, Michelle Kietzmann, joined the staff as a teacher of Physical Science, Natural Science and Technology. She loves horse- riding and show- jumping and is currently studying towards an MSc in Zoology. The other young lady who joined the staff is Miss Theresa Heugh who, after completing her degree and a stint overseas, decided to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher. She is completing her PGCE through Unisa and teaches English and Arts and Culture. She was involved with debating and proved to be a most enthusiastic hockey coach.
Former Dux of the school, Michael Theron, who has in the past served as a part-time teacher of Studies, was appointed to fill a position to teach Economics, Physical Science and Mathematics. His dream is to go into full-time ministry as his special interest lies in Theology and Philosophy. He is already actively involved in church work, teaching confirmation classes and producing theological writings. His challenges lie in “internalizing the reality of God in a world unreceptive of religion” and in “educating consciences”.
At the end of last year, it was decided to start a Steel Band at the school and Miss Catherine Hill who matriculated at Victoria Park in 2007, was employed to teach interested musicians the necessary skills to play the pans. She is a talented and versatile musician, and has, despite her age, coped admirably in teaching the band, assisting in voice training and teaching Arts and Culture. She has been involved in various local musical productions: she took part in the Gilbert and Sullivan production of Guys & Dolls and has started rehearsals for Showtime 2009 in a supporting lead role. She hopes to pursue her interest in singing and musical theatre next year when she commences her studies in Media, Communication and Culture at NMMU.
When Mr Eddie Prinsloo left at the end of the first term to venture into the corporate world, Mrs Kumi Moodley, who is completing her MBA thesis, joined the staff to teach Economics, Business Studies and EMS. Prior to her venture into education, she was a team leader of Care Risk managers for two hospitals in Cape Town and it is therefore not surprising that she has taken over the First Aid portfolio. She says that teaching will hopefully allow her to fulfil her desire to “motivate” and “inspire” her learners to develop and fulfil their true potential.
Mr Derek Dickason, who stepped in last year to help out in a temporary capacity, was again lured out of retirement to teach English in Miss Katherine Owalsky’s place when she decided to leave teaching and to do events organising in the “shop ‘til you drop” mecca of the world-Dubai.
Learnership students who joined us this year are Mrs Cheryl Watkins (Accounting and Economics), Miss Marlou Rupp (English and Life Orientation), Miss Catherine Hustler (Business Studies and Mathematical Literacy), Mr Eugene Marais (English and Mathematics) and Mr Ryan Louw (Mathematical Literacy and Life Orientation). They were a wonderfully enthusiastic group and made valuable contributions both in the classroom and on the sports fields. We wish them success in the future and are confident that they will all become fine teachers.
Miss Owalsky was not the only staff member bitten by the travel bug. Three members of the English department flitted off to exciting destinations. Mrs Janis Webb went on a fun-filled cruise on the Eastern Mediterranean with her sister. The 12-storey luxury liner docked at various ports but visits to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini were memorable highlights. Mrs Mariette van der Walt joined her cousin in England and was delighted to be able to visit “Shakespeare’s world” in Stratford-Upon-Avon and the new Globe Theatre on the banks of the Thames. Seeing the musical, Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre in London was “an absolute highlight”. After sightseeing in England, they went on a European bus tour, visiting Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Rome and Amsterdam. The works of Michelangelo-the Sistine Chapel in Rome and the stature of David in Florence-were awe-inspiring. Ms Paulet Meyer “treated” herself to a holiday in Serbia and Montenegro and her many unforgettable experiences are detailed in a separate report.
The birth of Mrs Sharon Hodgson’s first grandchild, Jenna-May, was enough motivation for the proud granny to wing her way to England. She spent three and a half precious weeks with her and describes her as being “too cute”.
Miss Tracey Kendall visited Germany at the end of last year and is planning another trip at the end of this year – to meet her “potential in-laws”. Thereafter, she and the special man in her life plan to go to “some exotic destination”. Sounds wonderful!
Victoria Park staff members have excelled in various cultural and sporting arenas. Miss Tracey Kendall played in the band for Guys & Dolls and Mr Marlon Louis was involved with both Showtime 2008 and Mandy Gurr’s Thumbs Up benefit concert. He has also been appointed as a consultant for Showtime 2009. Mr Robert Welsh, a veteran of various surf ski races, enjoyed success by winning and being placed in several Masters’ paddling events this year. One of our learnership students, Mr Ryan Louw, who assisted him with paddling at school, went to Ireland to race the Liffey Descent, a 30km river race which he and his younger brother won. Thereafter they went to Serbia where they competed in the World Student Games, finishing 6th in the 500m event and 7th in the 1000m event. Our own Iron Man, Mr Mark Barry, successfully competed in his second Iron Man competition in Port Elizabeth and in the Half Iron Man competition in East London. The latter event is a first for South Africa as part of a 5-year deal with Triangle Sport. Miss Brigitte Köhne was again selected for the PEFA ladies’ district soccer team.
In addition to Miss Kietzmann and Miss Heugh, two other staff members are currently furthering their academic studies. Mr Cobus Steyn is busy with his Master’s degree in History, Miss Brigitte Köhne is completing the second year of her PGCE and Mrs Judy Nel is in the second year of her BEd degree.
Mr Brett Lehman became the proud daddy of a bouncing, long-awaited son in December 2007 and is delighted that he is going to welcome a second baby into the family early next year. He seems to have inspired the “stork” to work overtime! Mr Mark Barry and his wife were overjoyed when they heard the wonderful news that they are expecting a “laatlammetjie” and Mrs Judy Nel too, is pregnant with her second child. Mrs Jenni Deale became the “ecstatic” first-time granny of Chase and Leonelle, born within two weeks of each other, and Mr Bernard Roos became a grandpa when his daughter, Janine-D gave birth to angelic-faced Hannah.
Mrs Hodgson’s daughter Lee became engaged and wedding bells rang for Mandy and Keryn,, daughters of Mrs Deale and Mrs Brauteseth respectively. One of the eligible bachelors on the staff also decided that a “truly good wife is more precious than gems” and Mr Conrad Ferreira plans to tie the knot with Miss Karen Snowball in April next year.
Sadly, two members of staff suffered bereavement this year. Mrs Welinda van der Merwe’s husband, Banie, died suddenly after a brief illness and Mrs Gail Taylor’s husband, Tony, too, died unexpectedly. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them as they grieve. We hope that precious memories will sustain them in this sad time.
We bid a sad farewell to Mrs Linda Lubbe who is relocating to Pretoria as her husband has been transferred. She has been an inspirational art teacher and will be sorely missed. We wish her happiness and exciting new challenges and know that she will treasure “all the fun and laughter shared in the art room.”
This year marks the 10th year of service for Mrs Nomsa Mafeke, the 20th year for Mrs Sharon Hodgson and Mr Bernard Roos and the 25th for Mrs Janis Webb. Tributes to them have separate coverage. We commend them for their commitment and loyalty to the school.
“To all, the teacher is a mirror that shows not only the self but the path and its choices, the task and its demands-the difficulties, the joys.”
DONNELL GOLDBERG
