HM – 2007
HEADMASTER’S REPORT ON 2007
Headmaster, Mr Mike Vermaak
2007 has been a year full of new initiatives, new syllabi, new external examining and exciting new developments in and around Victoria Park High.
After many years of dreaming, followed by major planning we have a new clubhouse, “The Victorian”, which was formally opened on 7 June 2007. Special guest, Peter Hollely, regaled us with stories from the past and cleverly linked this with the future of our school at a dignified evening to “wet the roof” of the new heart of the Dave Weinronk sporting complex. The “Victorian” has since hosted many sporting teams, parties, televised Springbok rugby games, reunion groups, steak evenings and seminars. It certainly has added tremendous value to Victoria Park High.
The music department has made rapid strides! This positive growth has resulted in us converting former ablution facilities into an extra band room. An exciting initiative has been the purchase of a set of steel pans. The calypso beat of these unique instruments will soon be livening up our functions and events. The music department has embarked upon the challenge of producing the musical “Copacabana”, a project they are tackling on their own to further promote their subject department.
By the time you read this we would have completed our first externally set Grade 11 examinations. At the time of writing we are a nervous team of educators, trying to predict what is expected of our learners in the new curriculum. This uncertainty has certainly added to the many stresses imposed upon folk during this period of radical change. The introduction of outcomes based education has replaced our old Higher and Standard Grade academic system. In theory, this is definitely a big step forward, but until there is sufficient clarity of standards and syllabi there is bound to be huge challenges.
The public sector strike affected Victoria Park for the first time ever! We did manage to keep the disruptions to a minimum and our learners have easily made up for the few days that we missed, but the relevance of the strike should not be forgotten. Almost all former “Model C” schools are facing unprecedented staff turnovers. This is due to the private sector being able to lure young teachers away from education with offers that easily beat the salary packages that teachers are earning. While this is true, we are not going to be able to maintain the high standards we are accustomed to. I fear for the future of education in South Africa, a developing country that should be doubling its efforts to educate for a brighter future. I trust that there will be a solution, in the near future, that will help us keep our top teachers in education. Ironically, if conditions do improve, there is going to be a problem for Governing Bodies when they try to match the salaries of Governing Body educators with any future increases. This challenge will put a major strain on the pockets of people who are already struggling to make ends meet.
While the politics of education has affected us on a macro level, the school is going about its daily business very successfully. Our proud “Victorians” have excelled academically, reached new sporting highs and enhanced our reputation of being a caring school by contributing to the community. I am blessed to have a uniquely spirited, competent group of passionate teachers. This awesome group of people regularly go the “extra mile” to ensure the long-term success of our young “Victorians”.
I would like to applaud my staff, thank the tireless, caring Governing Body and compliment our learners on what has been another excellent VP year.
MR M. VERMAAK
Principal
