HM – 2008
Headmaster’s report 2008
The way Victoria Park has experienced 2008 has, to a certain degree, been mirrored by what has happened globally. The economy of the Western world has been hit by uncertainty, changing patterns and an emergence of a new guard. Is this all bad? Uncomfortable, different, nervous . . . yes! All of this is true, but not necessarily bad.
During the course of 2007 and at the beginning of 2008 VP sadly had to say farewell to a number of staff members who have held key positions and fulfilled critical functions in and around the school. We lost a deputy, two experienced HOD’s and a number of promising young teachers. The three senior staff members represent 37% of our departmental top structure. Two of these went on retirement and the rest became assets of the business world. It is understandable that the school was hard-hit by these losses and that those remaining had a tough job maintaining the standards, passion and spirit that we have become accustomed to at Victoria Park. The harsh reality is that there have been no state bulletins allowing us to permanently fill these holes. I must commend the staff for rallying to the cause and for doing a fine holding job, while waiting for the state to allow us to plan for the future. Unfortunately in today’s highly competitive world of education, maintenance of standards is almost the same as standing still.
We also had a change of the guard with respect to the governance of the school. Our Chairman of the Governing Body, Keith Allers, and our treasurer, Braam Muller, also came to the end of their terms of office.
With the pain of change, comes the excitement of new beginnings and progress. We are extremely fortunate to have parents of the calibre of Andre Strydom and Marquis Pretorius to be able to call upon to take up the reigns. Mr Strydom has stepped up to the plate as Chairperson of the Governing Body and Mr Pretorius tackled the job of treasurer. Both have done sterling work for VP and have shown the type of passion and commitment that is both necessary and much appreciated by the VP community. Mr Strydom has brought a hands-on, no nonsense approach to the position and his support of the school and teachers has been worth its weight in gold this year.
I would like to list some of the many highlights of 2008, that are particularly special to me.
Excellent academic performances from our top matriculants. I am expecting outstanding results, especially from our top ten
VP being one of only two Eastern Cape schools in the top twenty in this year’s Life Sciences (Biology) Olympiad
One of our learners being placed fifth in the national Science Olympiad
The success of the school musical, Copacabana
The amazing participation, and quality of performances during our Arts Festival
The huge success of our boys’ and girls’ first hockey teams
The emergence of girls’ soccer at school. This young sport has made huge strides and can now claim to be the top school side in the Eastern Cape
The winning of four schools’ tennis leagues. I am now looking forward to the challenge of playing in the promotion leagues next year
The unbeaten VP first chess team
Outstanding individual swimming results at national level
When looking to the future we have to be bold and not let the economy, changing education systems and toothless education department dictate to us. We will have to strengthen our top management structure, broaden our middle management and attract young teachers of quality. The strength of VP over the last number of years came as a result of having an experienced, motivated management structure leading the way to allow new,
spirited young teachers to assert themselves.
Schools always need new projects to keep people focused and to maintain an air of development and progress. After the success of the new clubhouse, the “Victorian,” VP now needs something new to challenge us. Projects and ideas being debated are an Astroturf, a swimming complex, a sports academy, new computer classes, drama changing rooms and facilities and a new classroom block. All of these are exciting, but all of these will need us to be very bold in the current economic climate that is gripping the world.
In conclusion I would like to thank the VP family for helping making a success of a difficult year.
Mr Mike Vermaak
