LEADERS
Staff News 2021 Rustenburg had a bumper crop of newbies at the start of this year. In the wake of the retirement of three Heads of Departments and changes in many other spheres, it was bound to happen. The English Department had an overhaul. In March Ms Lindsay de Klerk returned to school following the birth of her little girl, Rory to take up her position as Head of English. At the end of the second term we were extremely sad to say goodbye to the indefatigable Ms Megan Paton as she departed for the UK with her husband and three young children. She was replaced by Ms Gillian Lucas who had initially joined us in April to teach Support English. Ms Lucas’s position was taken over by intern, Mr Adam ThomasJames. We were lucky to secure the expertise of Dr Marcus Melck to take over as Head of History in January. We also welcomed intern Mr Roscoe George to the History department in May. Ms Christelle Grimbeek joined the Geography department in January. The Afrikaans department has also seen a few changes this year. While we awaited the arrival of the new incumbent, retired teacher Mr Pieter Smith came to our aid. Mr. Shaun Klaasen started in May and has filled the space admirably. At the end of Term 2, we saw Ms Johandrie Oosthuizen leave us to take over as Head of Subject at Herzlia. In her position we recruited retired teacher, Ms Ruth Mőller until a permanent appointment could be made. At the end of the year, Ms Helene Swanson retires. We wish her every happiness as she starts a new path outside of school. We were delighted to have Ms Caesar promoted to an HOD post effective from September. The core purpose of her role is transformation, communication (on transformation initiatives) and creating opportunities for the personal development of all learners and staff in the school. Sadly, Ms Nokutula Dyonase was ill for an extended period. She was substituted by intern, Ms Zohra Damon who blossomed into a very fine teacher. Joining the ranks in the Maths Department is Mr Umar Samandarov and Ms Tasneem Shaboodien who teaches Mathematics, General and Life Sciences. The Life Sciences Department lost a determined, energetic teacher in Ms Rebecca Goble when she took a position at a neighbouring school in April. In her place we gained the delightful Ms. Brigitta Hopley. Part-time Dance teacher, Ms Megan Black, left at the end of the second term. Ms Wiaam Jacobs joined our school as part of the “President’s Initiative to Create Employment for Teachers and School Assistants” in November 2020. She is training as a teacher of Dance and she was, therefore, well placed to take over Grade 9 Dance for the remainder of the year. Ms Sanda Sogoni joined our Counselling team this year. Kind, sensible and always ready to lend a helping hand, she is an asset to the school.
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The Sport Department grew by one at the start of the year with the appointment of Mr Olu Ncukana who was already known to the school as a hockey coach. Ms. Nolundi Blayi left in April and her sunny personality, infectious laugh, helpful demeanour and sheer joie de vivre is something for which she will be remembered. Her position was taken over by Ms Palesa Hlela, also a livewire with a big personality. Ms Hlela moved from Howick, KZN. We hope she will be very happy at Rustenburg. On the administrative side, Ms Nomazizi Sapepa moved into the reception area from the Head of the Cleaning Squad. With her excellent interpersonal skills, she has made a difference to the face of our school as she bustles about her day with a warm, friendly smile. In January Ms Geila Wills moved to assist Campus Manager, Mr Mhlanga Nombewu. She deals with venue hire and administering the facilities. The challenging role of Fundraising and Communication was taken over by Ms Ulpha Edries, who has already done an amazing job. The Accounts Department sports a brand new look as we bid farewell to Ms Lynda Niddrie and Ms Morag Rijs. Ms Mariam Naidoo heads it up and is ably assisted by Ms Anne Quinlan and Ms Meria Ferreira who keep our finances ticking over smoothly. After fifteen years of tirelessly caring for our boarders, Ms Karin Evans retires from Erinville at the end of the year. Café Primo has moved on. Rustenburg started their own coffee cart and we welcome new barista, Ms Nora Jimu. Having grown tired of waiting for the Covid-19 pandemic to pass, Ms Emma Boshoff dashed off and married her fiancé, Dr Nick Sokolsky, without a big ceremony. Mr Murray Buitendag, who had to postpone his wedding in September 2020, has now set his sights on September 2021. Ms Megan Bell and Ms Brigitta Hopley are engaged to be married. Not to be outdone, Erinville Hostel’s Ms Michele Bakker announced her engagement to Mr Kevin Farrow on 25 August. Congratulations to Mr Checkson Mwale and his wife who recently became parents to a little girl, Selah. She is a sister to five-year-old Theophilus. The Music Department is also excited to announce an addition. On her birthday, 26 August, Ms. Olivia Herrendoerfer and her husband welcomed another little girl, Asher to join daughter, Anaiyah (5) and son, Khanya (3). Ms Cara Pearce takes over Ms Herrendoerfer’s position until the end of the year. More happy news from the Music Department is that Ms Juanita Atkinson completed her Masters Degree in Socio-Education through UNISA. The topic of her research was “The school as Socialization agent in Contemporary Society”. We are incredibly proud of this achievement. 2021 has been a year of highs and the lows. We miss those who left us and rejoice in those who joined. Like schools the world over, at Rustenburg we have learned to roll with the punches and appreciate more keenly every privilege we enjoy. Jackie Weston
