SIR John Adamson High School is very proud of Mrs Trynie Oosthuizen, who was awarded the National Award for Excellence in Office Administration – Office Based Personnel by the SAOU on June 27.
She was appointed on June 1, 1994 at Sir John Adamson High School as the ‘photocopier’, and soon she became involved in all spheres of the school. Over the years she took on additional duties, which were not included in her job description.
She joined the editorial committee for the annual Magazine in 1998 and commenced typing all the articles. She then took it upon herself to do the photography, and in 2006 made the proposal to the principal to do the design and layout as well as photography of the magazine. This initiative, one of many, saves the school approximately R50 000 annually, and these additional challenges required her to work many hours overtime. Every year, with her creative flair, she improves on the quality and layout, and compliments on the magazine came from far and wide. “We believe that other schools have adopted this strategy as well to save funds.”
Her other initiatives include obtaining a Code 10 driver’s licence, which qualified her to drive the school’s 26-seater bus, and as a result started transporting learners to sporting and cultural events. Through her love of being involved in all sporting activities, Trynie saw a need and introduced Touch Rugby as a new sporting code. This sport, offered to both girls and boys, has grown in leaps and bounds, and 53 learners have achieved Provincial colours in the last seven years. The Touch Rugby teams have won their leagues several times, and the sport was awarded Activity of the Year in 2009. It is not often that you will find a secretary coaching a sport and driving for others codes.
Trynie is multi-talented and her other skills include piano playing and sewing. She often conducts the choir and organises musical items for various functions. Musical productions became an annual event, and she produced the majority of the costumes as well as props.
Trynie is also responsible for the administering of the School Communicator and the web page. She is the secretary for the governing body and the non-teaching staff representative. She has assisted teachers with technology in the classroom.
Trynie is a principal’s and a school’s dream. She uses her initiative and is always looking to do things better, cheaper and smarter.
She loves a challenge and nothing to her is impossible.
Because of her passion for the school and the learners, she has gone way beyond her duties of an office-based staff member. “We value her services to such an extent that she is quite irreplaceable and we cannot complete any job without her talents. She is an inspiration to all, and her continual striving for excellence makes her a vital cog in this large school of ours. We want to congratulate her on this wonderful achievement,” said Principal Mr M W Meyers.
