NEW deputy principal of Open Air School, Kevin Urbach, is enjoying what he calls this ‘new season’ of his life, following 19 years at Penzance Primary School.
Kevin, himself a Penzance Old Boy, said while he had loved his time at the school and the staff with whom he worked for 19 years, God had opened a new door for him at Open Air School.
Kevin, who attended Glenwood High School and University of Natal, was studying Town and Regional Planning, when he was approached by Derrick Nicol, a school headmaster, who asked if he had ever considered teaching as a career.
“I had completed my degree and then decided to study a higher degree in education for a year, and as a lazy varsity bum, I took the easy way out and went into teaching! Mr Nicol stuck to his word and gave me a job. He obviously saw something in me as a 22-year-old. I worked with him for five years, teaching predominantly maths and science to Grade 7s, and left when Mr Nicol retired,” he said.
Kevin moved on to Penzance Primary to work with principal Barry Swain, and later Lynne Gill, who was acting head.
“She taught me as a kid at Penzance and was always like a mother figure to me. I worked with her until Colin Madgin stepped in as principal and I was given the opportunity to lead from the front. I would never have been able to grow without him. I helped run the school for six years and it was an extreme privilege to attend the facility and work with amazing people. I was sad to leave Penzance and the new principal, Hennie Haveman, who is an awesome man, but I am grateful for this new season in my life. I walk closely with my Lord and I know He has a plan with this new position,” said Kevin.
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He said he and his wife of 19 years, Sally, never had children, but now he has 250 at Open Air School.
“I want the best for this school and have the need to grow this family. The best hours of the day are spent at so-called work, and I look at it as a triangle – with parents, teachers and children at each point, with the Lord in the middle. This school can only fly. I want to continue being refined and to grow as a person and to grow others to grow leaders. I want to leave a legacy and walk with people,” he said.
Kevin said his wife was his life and had always walked his journey with him.
“I am very fortunate to have Sally to spend life with. Other than school, I enjoy golf, although I don’t play it often and I enjoy being out in the open and love gardening and braaing,” he said.
Principal of Open Air School, Noel Moodley, said it was truly a privilege to welcome Kevin to the Open Air family and he looked forward to working with him in the years ahead.
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