\u201cI started at Germiston High School in 1990 fresh out of university.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember when I came for the interview there was a nameplate on the principal\u2019s desk reading Peter Goosen, which was my late father\u2019s name.<\/p>
\u201cI knew then that this is where I was meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
These were the words of Germiston High School\u2019s new principal Ren\u00e9e Goosen, who officially took the post as the school\u2019s principal on March 1, after 28 years at the school, with the full support of her family and the school.<\/p>
\u201cMy journey with the school started with a post level one or entry-level teaching position.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went on to become the head of department (HOD) for the English department,\u201d she remembered fondly when she sat down with the GCN at the school last Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Ren\u00e9e then decided to move to another school, but after just six months she returned to Germiston High School, where she happily remains.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went straight back into being the HOD and became deputy principal in 2005 and was acting principal, along with Gill Galiani, until March 1,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I have been able to progress and move from position to position within the school I have never felt stagnant.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had the opportunity to learn and grow as a person and grow with the school.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if being deputy principal prepared her for the challenges she has faced as principal she said, \u201cIt has prepared me to a certain extent but there are still aspects that as deputy I was not fully involved in like finances and budgeting, as well as a number of management responsibilities which are solely the responsibility of the principal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I have had to learn quite a lot but this has been a welcome challenge, a challenge that is made easier by my wonderful team.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur school\u2019s finance team is wonderful and incredibly competent and supportive, as is my management team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are people who have been with the school for many years, they know the school, the systems, policies and procedures and this gives me the confidence to delegate work and know the job will get done, which is fantastic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
When asked if the children were supportive of her new appointment Ren\u00e9e said with a smile, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the children went through a period where they were uncertain and restless and wanted clarity as it took a year to appoint a new principal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey wanted to know, as did the staff if someone completely new would be appointed to the position, someone who may potentially change things at the school, so it was an uncertain time,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut since I was officially appointed the children have been so kind and friendly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will pop into my office to say congratulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe school\u2019s press club has interviewed me and I have had numerous meetings with the representative council of learners (RCL) and we are on the same page, so I feel the channels of communication are wide open which is nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what she has planned for the school Ren\u00e9e made it clear her main focus is academic excellence and maintaining the standard of the school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim is always to achieve a 100 per cent pass rate and to help us reach this we do have intervention plans in place, not just for the matrics but for all the grades, to get them on par.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are an E-learning school so the technology aspect has been a challenge for some staff members, because it is sometimes difficult to merge the new ways with the old methodology of teaching especially if you are set in your ways, but access to new resources and the internet I feel will help to bring about academic excellence,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Another plan for the school Ren\u00e9e hopes to implement is to keep the classes as small as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is only possible if we have the parents\u2019 co-operation in paying school fees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese fees will allow us to hire more staff which will make it possible to keep the classes small and give individual attention which is so important,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In addition to academics, Ren\u00e9e will continue to focus on the school\u2019s extramural activities, which include not only sports but cultural activities as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe reintroduced rugby to the school which the boys are really enjoying and we find the sport is helping to create a lot of school spirit along with our netball, basketball and rowing which are all strong sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the cultural front our choir has been doing very well and we will continue with the Eisteddfod and we hope to reintroduce drama,\u201d Ren\u00e9e said.<\/p>\n
Ren\u00e9e also plans to focus on staff development.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me what is very important is staff development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a number of young teachers and I want them to grow and develop with the school as I did,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
On top of all this Ren\u00e9e wants the learners of the school to become responsible, self-supporting citizens of the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is part of our vision as a school that when the learners leave here they are able to stand on their own two feet and contribute to the country and, therefore, uplift the country as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ren\u00e9e really has hit the ground running with her new position and in parting shared, \u201cI want a school that is filled with acceptance and tolerance, non-discrimination and consideration of others.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want a school where our commonality is humanity and we see each other as human beings and we, therefore, treat each other the way we want to be treated \u2013 with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n