“I started at Germiston High School in 1990 fresh out of university.
“I remember when I came for the interview there was a nameplate on the principal’s desk reading Peter Goosen, which was my late father’s name.
“I knew then that this is where I was meant to be.”
These were the words of Germiston High School’s new principal Renée Goosen, who officially took the post as the school’s principal on March 1, after 28 years at the school, with the full support of her family and the school.
“My journey with the school started with a post level one or entry-level teaching position.
“I went on to become the head of department (HOD) for the English department,” she remembered fondly when she sat down with the GCN at the school last Tuesday.
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Renée then decided to move to another school, but after just six months she returned to Germiston High School, where she happily remains.
“I went straight back into being the HOD and became deputy principal in 2005 and was acting principal, along with Gill Galiani, until March 1,” she said.
“As I have been able to progress and move from position to position within the school I have never felt stagnant.
“I have had the opportunity to learn and grow as a person and grow with the school.”
When asked if being deputy principal prepared her for the challenges she has faced as principal she said, “It has prepared me to a certain extent but there are still aspects that as deputy I was not fully involved in like finances and budgeting, as well as a number of management responsibilities which are solely the responsibility of the principal.
“So I have had to learn quite a lot but this has been a welcome challenge, a challenge that is made easier by my wonderful team.
“Our school’s finance team is wonderful and incredibly competent and supportive, as is my management team.
“They are people who have been with the school for many years, they know the school, the systems, policies and procedures and this gives me the confidence to delegate work and know the job will get done, which is fantastic,” she said.
When asked if the children were supportive of her new appointment Renée said with a smile, “Yes.”
“I think the children went through a period where they were uncertain and restless and wanted clarity as it took a year to appoint a new principal.
“They wanted to know, as did the staff if someone completely new would be appointed to the position, someone who may potentially change things at the school, so it was an uncertain time,” she continued.
“But since I was officially appointed the children have been so kind and friendly.
“They will pop into my office to say congratulations.
“The school’s press club has interviewed me and I have had numerous meetings with the representative council of learners (RCL) and we are on the same page, so I feel the channels of communication are wide open which is nice.”
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When asked what she has planned for the school Renée made it clear her main focus is academic excellence and maintaining the standard of the school.
“The aim is always to achieve a 100 per cent pass rate and to help us reach this we do have intervention plans in place, not just for the matrics but for all the grades, to get them on par.
“We are an E-learning school so the technology aspect has been a challenge for some staff members, because it is sometimes difficult to merge the new ways with the old methodology of teaching especially if you are set in your ways, but access to new resources and the internet I feel will help to bring about academic excellence,” she said.
Another plan for the school Renée hopes to implement is to keep the classes as small as possible.
“This is only possible if we have the parents’ co-operation in paying school fees.
“These fees will allow us to hire more staff which will make it possible to keep the classes small and give individual attention which is so important,” she said.
In addition to academics, Renée will continue to focus on the school’s extramural activities, which include not only sports but cultural activities as well.
“We reintroduced rugby to the school which the boys are really enjoying and we find the sport is helping to create a lot of school spirit along with our netball, basketball and rowing which are all strong sports.
“On the cultural front our choir has been doing very well and we will continue with the Eisteddfod and we hope to reintroduce drama,” Renée said.
Renée also plans to focus on staff development.
“To me what is very important is staff development.
“We have a number of young teachers and I want them to grow and develop with the school as I did,” she said.
On top of all this Renée wants the learners of the school to become responsible, self-supporting citizens of the country.
“It is part of our vision as a school that when the learners leave here they are able to stand on their own two feet and contribute to the country and, therefore, uplift the country as a whole.”
Renée really has hit the ground running with her new position and in parting shared, “I want a school that is filled with acceptance and tolerance, non-discrimination and consideration of others.
“I want a school where our commonality is humanity and we see each other as human beings and we, therefore, treat each other the way we want to be treated – with respect.”
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