PBHS multi-talented teacher retires

PINETOWN Boys’ High School, deputy principal , Dave Aitken, has retired after 36 years service at the school.

He was appointed to Pinetown Boys’ High as a first year teacher in 1979, to teach Biology and General Science.

“I recall meeting the headmaster, Mr Nourse, who asked who I was, and without another word, led me to a Biology lab, handed me my timetable, and told me to get on with the job,” said Aitken.

He soon realised that he was the only teacher in the Biology Department with no less than twelve classes to teach, a daunting and exhaustive task for a first year teacher.

Three years later, Aitken was transferred to the Physical Science Department. He was appointed Head of Department Sciences in 1989.

“In 1997, the Education Department at that time offered severance packages to the more senior teachers. Many of the management members at Pinetown Boys’ opted to take the package, and I moved into the Deputy Principal’s position. I soon took responsibility for the academic portfolio which I have retained ever since,” he said.

In 2006, Aitken was appointed acting principal of Pinetown Boys’ High School, a role he fulfilled for four and a half years. Although he did apply for the principal’s position when it was eventually advertised, he decided to withdraw his application on personal grounds, preferring to revert to deputy principal again, once the new principal was appointed.

In all this time, he maintained an active role teaching physical science at Grade 12 level.

“I have always enjoyed teaching science. There are so many exciting ways of teaching the subject, and I thoroughly enjoyed using modern technology in the classroom in recent years to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

“The school has been in existence one year longer than I have been teaching there. I have been part of its development from what was essentially a construction site to what it is today, a thriving and vibrant institution.

““The most intimidating man I worked with was Mr Oellermann, the school’s first deputy principal. The most inspirational headmaster was undoubtedly Mr Brocklehurst. I learned some valuable lessons about teaching and management from both these men, which held me in good stead once I reached senior management positions.

Aitken was actively involved in extramural activities throughout his teaching life, the most successful being small bore rifle shooting.

“I started this sport in 1980, and with some guidance from a colleague, Gavin Mallon, the sport enjoyed considerable success, with more than a dozen boys earning their provincial colours. The sport was discontinued in 2002.

He said he would advice new teachers never to underestimate the power of influence they have on the pupils.

“They should make sure that the pupils remember them for the positive influences they had on their lives, long after they have forgotten them.

He added that his plans are to set up his home workshop and learn practical skills in woodwork and furniture restoration which he has not had time to pursue up to now.

““In addition to that, I must complete the DG Nourse Archive project that I started a year ago.

“I have collected numerous artefacts, documents and photos from the school’s past, and I am busy organising these as an archive of the history of Pinetown Boys’ High School.

He said he hope to finish this by the end of March, and that the archive will become an indispensable asset in teaching pupils about the history of their school.