Headmaster's Message Term 2 2021
As the long winter term draws to a close, I spend some time in my office reflecting on what has been a monumental term. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all students, parents, and staff members who have supported the on-going work of our leadership and teaching teams. Our St Peter’s College community continually shows great energy for learning and care for each other, with school pride regularly celebrated in a range of authentic contexts.
A big thank to you all for your continued support and encouragement of all our students at St Peter’s College. I feel very privileged and proud to be working alongside some very special and talented individuals (young people, parents and staff). As such, I am committed to secure the very best possible outcomes and successes in all that we do.
So, at this time of year we normally reflect on the Term that has past and look forward to the New Term. Personally, I am so thankful for the hard work, determination and resilience that the students and staff have shown this year despite all the unprecedented challenges, there have been many. From the COVID-19 Pandemic to the recent instability in our country which has raised levels of anxiety.
However, I take comfort in the recent address titled a “Message of Hope in these Uncertain Times” by Professor Jonathan Jansen. It was a realistic perspective regarding the challenges we are facing where he encouraged us NOT to get caught up by the Social Media hype and generalisations. As Professor Jansen reiterated: “This Too Shall Pass”!!
I cannot tell you how lovely it was to see students return to school at the end of July for the last two weeks of Term 2. There is nothing more heart-warming than the sound of laughter and chatter of our students in the classrooms, corridors and on the fields.
Teachers of all walks of life and subjects have the ability to shape opinions and help form ideas about society, life and personal goals. Teachers can also expand students' limits and push their creativity. Teaching is a tough job, but it is one where you can make the most impact in another person's life. We stood strong and brave in the midst of a pandemic. Covid-19 has forced us to make many changes since March 2020, we had school on-line, had virtual events and missed our friends. As we move forward, continue to demonstrate diligence, motivation and determination to work to the best of your ability to learn new instruction and finish the academic year.
Staff Matters:
Mrs Tebogo Maneli, has resigned and will be leaving St Peter’s College at the end of Term 2 2021. Tebogo’s inspirational approach to education has benefitted countless students and she will be leaving a lasting legacy. Personally, I thank Tebogo for her continued support of myself and the College, for which I will be ever grateful. I wish Tebogo all of the best in her future endeavours.
It is with a great deal of sadness that I inform you that our Senior Finance Manager, Cosmore Pariola has resigned and will be leaving St Peter’s College at the end of Term 2.
After a host of accomplishments, as the founding member of the St Peter’s College first stand-alone finance team after the unbundling of CSS, or Central Support Services, we want to bid farewell to Cosmore who has helped steer our finance team with her keen insight and financial expertise. During her time at St Peter’s College, Cosmore has served as a mentor to many on our staff and has never hesitated to share her knowledge. We wish Cosmore much success in her future endeavours - St Peter’s College will be poorer in her absence where she was a tireless member of the College Executive team.
We are pleased to announce Cosmore’s replacement as, Mrs Ndivhuwo (Ndi) Geraldine Nengovhela. Ndi is a registered CA(SA) with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and has been the Finance Manager at St Peter’s Prep for the past 4 years, so has extensive experience in the school finance arena. Ndi was also part of CSS so has previously worked for St Peter’s College as the Finance Manager, hence, is no stranger to the College.
Thank you to Mrs Terry Foster who served as a locum in the Business Studies department during Term 2 in the place of Mrs Cath Dracatos who was on long leave and to Mrs Vuyelwa Kekana, who was the Acting Head of Department of Business Studies during this period, for stepping into the role and for leading the department so efficiently.
Wedding Vibes: Mrs Tayla Gradwell will be getting married during the school holidays and will be returning as Mrs Barnardo. We wish Tayla and Eugene a lifetime of love and happiness.
Looking to the next few weeks, we want to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of staff, students and parents, as this is an important part of our responsibility. To help us achieve this, we have already reviewed the timings and content of lessons, and the mixture of teaching approaches. We have sent out lots of information to support the well-being of families and students and will continue to monitor this as time progresses.
Finally, I hope you have a wonderful August break; take the opportunity to learn away from your screens; have fun with your loved ones and enjoy the beautiful part of the world in which we live.
I would also like to thank the St Peter’s College Council for their hard work and tireless championing of our school and to the school leadership teams in all their efforts to ensure students have an outstanding school environment. I would also like to thank all the staff – both teaching and support staff – who make St Peter’s College the terrific school it is and a wonderful place of work and learning.
Congratulations to our students who so deserve to succeed. As the end of the 2021 academic year approaches, I am excited about our journey. Your partnership in this journey is so very important and I look forward to continuing to work with you and providing your children with an education they can be proud of.
In Futurum Fortiter