FAREWELL Carol

“Carol’s calm, wise leadership brought stability, excellence, and care to the running of our beloved Prep School. Her quiet confidence is not to be underestimated. She has a deep understanding and knowledge of learning and of the broader education field, which underpins her ability to look at both the details and the bigger picture for each student at our school. She holds each discussion with empathy and insight, considering all viewpoints and always keeping the student’s well-being at the centre of the decisions made. Carol is a woman of deep faith and compassion and has made such a positive impact to the lives of teachers, students and families over the years. Her understanding approach, wisdom, warmth and kindness will surely be missed.”

Rabia Edries

“The increasing complexity of the art and science of education demands of practitioners and participants to be flexible, hugely compassionate, patient and conferred with a remarkable insight into human traits unique to everyone. Carol te Water abundantly embodies these admirable qualities and used these wonderful talents to mould and lead a school of primary learning of great excellence and standing. Girls, teachers, and parents, who were embraced by Carol were blessed beyond measure. Carol’s touch can be detected all over the warmth and humanity which permeates the marvellous Prep School. We wish her well in the rest and recuperation which she so richly deserves after her sacrifices to our beloved space, St Cyprian’s Preparatory School.”

Chris Steyn

“In Carol, we were blessed to have a leader with a joyful outlook on life. Through the plentiful highlights and inevitable challenges of the past 7 years, her light always shone from within. Celebrating the collective joys together and encouraging everyone through the tough times characterized the way she led. Her integrity could be relied on by all and her kindness and respect were sincerely felt. Carol’s unwavering support and appreciation of the Music Department went a long way in allowing our students to have a positive musical experience and flourish as young musicians. Carol, your name means joyful song – we will miss you and think of you as we continue to sing joyfully in the Prep School. We promise to invite you to the next Interhouse singing event!”

Annamarie Gelderblom

“I have had the privilege of teaching alongside Carol since the day she started at St Cyprians in 2016. What a wonderful head and leader she has been. I have taught under many heads in my time, some average, some terrible, but mostly those whom I can place in the ‘Top Drawer’ category. Carol belongs in the ‘Top Drawer’ amongst the Royal Dalton and Italian Spode, the Bone China! Like the afore-mentioned porcelain, she has class and dignity.

Carol has a leadership style which embraces all of her staff, from middle management to the interns or first year teacher just starting out. A servant leader, Carol is humble and unassuming with neither agenda nor ego. She leads alongside her team and is an enabler in the best sense of the word. She welcomes and encourages open communication, honest conversations and varying viewpoints. She creates a platform and a place of freedom for her staff to explore their own strengths and to take risks when implementing new and innovative ideas and policies. Then she makes it clear that she is always there in genuine support. I believe there is nothing that gives her more pleasure as a head than to see her teachers (and the girls) flourish, and then to make a ‘big deal’ when they achieve, affirming her staff and girls at every opportunity.

Carol’s gentleness and empathy are a true reflection of her living her faith daily. A great listener, whose door is always open, she has endless patience when her colleagues need to get something off their chests! But don’t be deceived! A stronger person, with the ability to go on regardless of the personal pain or challenge she may be coping with, you will not meet. She leads with a calm presence even when under immense duress. Then there is that sense of humour and a little twist of naughtiness and mischief! Carol embraces all personalities who are free to express themselves and be themselves. She loves those of us who are quiet and reflective and allows us to be. But she also appreciates those of us who are noisy and disturb the peace, and she always has a come-back line, never letting an opportunity pass by to have a good laugh.

Carol, thank you for the huge contribution you have made towards my happiness at St Cyprian’s School! Put your feet up, enjoy earlier GnTees each evening and absolutely love your well-deserved retirement!”

Les Harwin

“I have had the privilege of knowing Carol for 17 years. Our teaching journey together has led us to St Cyprian’s School where she, as Head of Prep, has curated an environment of excellence nourishing the school family so that teachers and pupils can flourish and bloom. This is most felt in the Arts and Culture department which I have been part of. Carol has always given me and other teachers the freedom to grow and explore and together we have created a rich and vibrant performing arts world for the children in her care to enjoy, explore and thrive in. I am always grateful for her unrelenting spirit and enthusiasm for life and for education and will always appreciate her trust in me as a friend and as a teacher. I wish her well for a much-deserved rest.”

Alyxia Geanotes

“Working with Carol for the last 7 years has been absolutely wonderful! Fundamentally, it’s because Carol is kind, compassionate, cheerful, warm and friendly and always ready for a hug.

In a busy school, I’ve observed how Carol is very calm no matter what emergency comes her way. I know I can walk into her office at any time and say, ‘Carol this is the story’. She will listen, advise, and always help with whatever needs to be done. While I am flapping around, Carol will be the one to keep me grounded, no matter what. Her open-door policy towards colleagues, parents and girls is to be admired, even up to the point where girls will come to her to call moms and dads when I am not around. She will assist everyone and do so with the greatest of pleasure.

I’ve worked with several heads before Carol, but what sets apart my relationship with her is a genuine care at a personal level that I hope will last forever. I will miss my chats with her. She will be in my heart forever and I hope she will enjoy the next chapter of her life.”

Feroza Jappie