Exciting start for Unity College

CHARTWELL – Special needs school Unity College opens for the 2020 academic year with a brand new principal, Retha van Niekerk, at the helm.

January 26, 2020

Robyn Kirk 1 minute read

Avumile Vilakazi and Akira Chubane, both new in the intermediate phase at Unity College, smile for the camera on their new school grounds. Photo: Robyn Kirk

It wasn’t just children that had their first day at a new school recently – the new principal for Unity College also had her first day at the start of the 2020 academic year.

Retha van Niekerk, who took up her new position when the school opened on 14 January, is excited to face the challenge of her new role as well as help special-needs children become independent and equipped to face the rest of their lives.

Retha van Niekerk has her first day of school too – she started her first day as principal of Unity College on 14 January. Photo: Robyn Kirk

With a passion for education, readers may recognise Van Niekerk from her previous role as the principal of the Bridge Assisted Learning School in Beverley. “I was very happy at the Bridge, which I helped start up and which has wonderful children and staff,” she told the Fourways Review. “But when I was approached last year about this position, I decided to to take up the challenge.

Two new teachers are welcomed to the school: Crystal Pita is a class teacher in the junior phase and said she’s been having fun with the children in her new role, while Ann Alexander teaches the intermediate phase and actually worked at Unity College about 16 years ago, recently deciding to return in 2020. Photo: Robyn Kirk

“Special needs education has always been a real interest to me, and I also studied it at a postgraduate level. My wish for this role is that each child at Unity College, as well as staff members, will get to experience a happy, fulfilled day of the year here.”

Johann du Preez-Ackerman, the manager of the new vocational training college on Unity College grounds, stands in front of the centre. The training building is currently under construction, and all going well will be open to the public in February. *Photo: Robyn Kirk*

The school sports an early intervention centre for children aged between three and seven, a junior phase for children aged between eight and 11, an intermediate phase for children aged between 11 and 15, and a senior phase for those aged from 16 to in their 20s.