On Friday evening, Premier Helen Zille presented the After-school Leadership Excellence Award to principals who are leading the way in providing creative and dynamic after school programmes at their schools.
This is the second year this special ministerial award has been presented at the WCED’s Provincial Teaching Awards ceremony and forms part of the After School Game Changer, which is focused on pupils having regular and sustained participation in quality after school programmes.
The game changer target is at least 20% – 112 000 – of no-fee and low-fee pupils attending after school activities regularly and consistently by 2019.
Roy van Rooyen, principal of Rietenbosch Primary School in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, is this year’s gold prize winner. and was awarded R20 000 in prize money.
The school serves some of the most vulnerable and poorest communities in Stellenbosch. Pupils enjoy access to a variety of after-school activities, including sport, arts and culture, life skills and academic support programmes.
This is largely the result of a number of partnerships the school has formed with the private sector, including with Stellenbosch University, which has increased opportunities available to pupils.
Mr Van Rooyen’s motto is “lead by example” and he is highly involved in sports at his school, acting as a referee at mini cricket and mini rugby matches, as well as an official at athletics meetings.
While presenting the awards, Ms Zille said: “Schools with good leadership have opened their doors to embrace a host of after school activities that help pupils to reach their full potential.
“Now in its second year, this award aims to celebrate the principals who recognise this, and who are actively building comprehensive after-school programmes.”
