WINNER
Velaphi Magwa
Phillipolis High School
Free State
Velaphi Magwa heads up a Quintile 2 school with 308 learners. Since taking over in 2007, the problems that impeded good performance have reduced dramatically. Ethnic tensions, drug abuse and low parental participation have dwindled so much so that academic performance increases every year. In 2010, the general pass rate was 94%, increasing to just under 97% in 2011.
“This is because I have involved the community in taking ownership of the school,” he says. “A school is a centre for the community.” Magwa uses the government communication information service career guidance to motivate learners. The department of social development also comes to address members of the community about the social problems that hamper the education of learners.
He describes his leadership style as democratic and transparent, especially when it comes to issues of finance. “I believe in keeping people informed and having a sense of ownership of their roles in the school,” he says. As is the case with most rural areas, the school environment is marred by high rates of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and poverty.
Magwa has engaged mining company Aurora to assist with policing the community. Also, the neighbouring church donates food parcels and NGO Vroue Vereeniging in Aksie has taken it upon itself to provide support to women and young girls. Magwa wants to “thank the community, because without their support I would not have raised the profile of the school to where it is today”.
His wish is to have a further education and training college in close proximity to Philippolis High School so that matriculants have easy access to higher education.
Magwa’s approach to leading a school is based on three principles: “Be in class on time, teach and know your learners’ home situation.
SECOND PLACE
Davis Masinga
Masana High School
Mpumalanga
Although Davis Masinga has other responsibilities as a pastor and community leader, he never compromises his teaching obligation. His first choice was to study law, but he could only get a bursary to study education.
“I grabbed the chance with both my hands,” he says. Now, 21 years later, he feels as if an invisible hand of God must have directed him to teaching. Masinga has been with Masana High for the past six years and the school has since been acknowledged as one of the top performers in the region.
“I get mobbed at malls or in the street by both parents and past learners in appreciation of what we do at our school. This goes to show that we do a good job and that we left an indelible mark in their lives. Nothing could be more rewarding than this,” says Masinga. Everything boils down to his leadership style, which he says entails being a positive influence and inspiration, having the ability to get subordinates to buy into your vision, persuading rather than instructing people, and cultivating a culture of “going the extra mile”.
As a leader, Masinga ensures that he is beyond reproach so that teachers and learners can attach value to what he does.
He believes in “leading by charisma” — a leader needs to display a “good character that rubs off on the people you lead”. Masinga trained and mentored many teachers in his time and most of them now hold leadership positions at various teaching and administrative levels. He founded a home-based care programme that attends to the needs of orphans, neglected, abused and learners with HIV/Aids. The project also provides school uniforms, food and counselling.
THIRD PLACE
Somasekharan Nair
Holy Family Combined School
North West
Under the leadership of Somasekharan Nair, Holy Family Combined School seems to be on a path to great success in all respects.
He has been the principal for seven year, and during the last six the school has achieved a 100% matric pass rate. The school has been awarded a good and consistent performance rating for two years in a row. “Discipline is top priority,” says Nair. The school infrastructure is in a class of its own. What stands out the most is its R5-million soccer pitch, donated by Fifa’s Local Organising Committee in 2010. The school’s computer centre is full equipped with 30 units, courtesy of the Foundation for a Safe South Africa. Anglo Platinum has donated two photocopiers.
Learners take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as the choir. In 2010, the school earned three top spots at provincial level and placed fourth at national. “We also participate in the maths and science Olympiads,” says Nair. The school is blessed with parents who are 100% involved, not only in their children’s school work, but also in looking after the school itself. “Recently we had a raffle that raised enough money to renovate all classroom floors [28 altogether] with new tiles.” Nair’s long-term goal is to see the school achieve a 100% university entrance pass.
Excellence in Special Needs Education WINNER Leigh Dunn As a special needs trainer at Formosa Primary, Leigh Dunn is certainly an inspiration. The energy he exudes, his accomplishments so far and the vision he has in this capacity make him a beacon of hope to his learners.
They all have a wide spectrum of learning challenges, ranging from autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia and visual impairment, to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, foetal alcohol syndrome and severe mental handicaps, and come from different socio-economic backgrounds. To cater for all these special needs, Dunn designed a curriculum that is specific to each need and includes elements such as pre-reading activities, school readiness activities and learning how to handle a pen. Just one example of his innovation around the curriculum is using art to teach mathematics. Clearly, this is a momentous task for one person to deal with.
“I work closely with NGOs for expertise, support and sponsorship,” he says.
His passion to work with special needs learners has seen him invited to give presentations in Belgium and the Netherlands earlier this year. The invitation came about through a referral by the international NGO Born in Africa, which is based in Brussels. His motto? “Even the smallest star can shine in the darkness,” he says. “We should never underestimate even the least significant of our learners.” Dunn is inspired by Nelson Mandela’s childhood background of growing up in a rural area and going on to achieve greatness despite the odds. “If one man from humble beginnings can change a country, then my vision can change the world.”
He says he is happy that Parliament has employed physically challenged people, including the blind. “This gives me encouragement that in my classroom there could be world leaders in the making.”