The deputy principal of Heideveld Senior Secondary School, Ingrid Tennant, has retired after 30 years at the school.
Ms Tennant joined the school in 1992 as a teacher and librarian. In 1994, she became an English and history teacher and five years later, the head of department for history. She was appointed deputy principal in 2010.
She said she had wanted to provide stability and continuity for the pupils as many already faced a lot of challenges and uncertainty at home.
Over the years, she had come to know each pupil, their struggles and achievements, she said, adding that many came from fatherless homes.
“This made learning difficult and also the job of the teachers. Boys suffered from huge self-confidence issues and they feel demoralised because their fathers want nothing to do with them.”
Ms Tennant helped to develop the school’s extra-mural activities, and she said that she would continue to run the school’s night classes in her retirement.
“I’ve really enjoyed my years at the school,” she said. “I’ve taught parents and their children. I’ve grown with the school, and I’m glad to say that with all the gangsterism and drugs in the area, we’ve protected our kids from that.”
Head of department for Afrikaans Jacqueline Kruger said the school was losing one of its best teachers as Ms Tennant had always put the pupils first.
“She started such a lot of things at our school because she believed that a child in sport is a child out of court. I taught with her for 30 years, and for those 30 years, she was the same energetic and vibrant educator. Like a magician, she weaved her magic, and today the school is a beacon of hope and inspiration in Heideveld. Heideveld Senior is so lucky to have had her.”
Principal William Meck said Ms Tennant was very helpful and loved by the community. She had mentored young staff and helped pupils in need.
“She will leave a huge gap at school,” he said, wishing her well during her retirement.