Awards for local principals
2005-08-18
TWO local school principals have been honoured with the Incentive for Excellence Awards. Claude de Jager of Amstelhof Primary and Laetitia Williams of Ronwe Primary are two of only six principals in the Western Cape who are to be honoured in this way by the Shuttleworth Foundation.
School principals have the gargantuan task of balancing policies, curriculae, administration and human development, all on a daily basis.
The success of a school, however, depends heavily on the principal’s ability to succeed in this task. Low morale amongst educators has been identified as a factor contributing to the poor education of learners.
It is thus vital that the principal who leads the team of educators is able to raise their confidence and drive them to educate to the very best of their abilities.
The Shuttleworth Foundation has launched a project intended to recognise and reward excellence amongst school principals in the Western Cape, in a bid to raise morale and inspire other educators to strive for the same quality of education.
The School Principals Incentive for Excellence Award primarily acknowledges the principal’s contribution to their school, showcases their good work and inspires them to continue practising at the highest standard possible.
A total of 31 nominations were received in the Western Cape.
The nominations came from diverse areas, including rural and urban schools and were evaluated thoroughly, placing an emphasis on what the principals had accomplished, rather than on their future plans. Evidence of their achievements was examined and weighed.
This ranged from an improved attendance or pass rate, to fundraising initiatives spearheaded by the principal, to improving the extra-curriculae facilities in the school.
Improved functionality in administration and building strong parent-teacher-pupil relationships were also aspects that were carefully considered.
Ultimately, the Shuttleworth Foundation identified six schools, whose principals they especially wished to reward.
Each principal will be awarded R5 000 with their school receiving R15 000 at a ceremony to take place at their respective schools.
The Shuttleworth Foundation is committed to finding innovative ways of improving the standard of education in South Africa.
By strengthening the leader and the team that manage the school, this is one way that the Foundation is helping to build structures in which the learners’ interests are prioritised, creating new possibilities and improving their prospects.
De Jager’s award was presented on Monday, while the Foundation will visit Williams at Ronwe on 29 August.
De Jager was nominated by Jo Collett, formerly from the Centre for Cognitive Development.
She said she wrote tothe Foundation because of all the "passion and energy" she experienced at the school.
Dedicated
"You are very, incredibly special!" she told the pupils, adding that they were indeed lucky to have such a dedicated principal and staff.
Zeenat Patel-Kaskar, programme manager for the Shuttleworth Foundation, congratulated the staff. Mark Shuttleworth had expressed his regret of not being able to attend the function.
De Jager thanked his staff: "I'm only the captain of the first team. This trophy is for all of you. Thank you for the way in which you embarked on each new venture.
He also thanked his family: "You have to share me with 750 children."
And to the pupils: "I love you very much. You have a big responsibility to take this community, but also the country, to greater heights!"
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