Girvin bids farewell to Hillcrest High
Craig Girvin has been at Hillcrest High School for 37 years and has served as the school principal for the past 22 years.
HILLCREST High School’s beloved principal, Craig Girvin is retiring after almost four decades at the school.
He has served as the school principal for the past 22 years. Girvin was scheduled to retire in 2020 but stayed on as the country was faced with the Covid-19 crisis.
“I have mixed feelings, I am looking forward to my freedom and being flexible but inevitably I will miss the buzz of the school, the learners and the staff. This has been my second home for the past 37 years,” he said.
The dedicated principal who has made an impact in many lives said he has always wanted to be a teacher, “I have never seriously seen myself doing anything else,” he said.
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Girvin studied for a BSc (Hons) degree and followed this with a higher diploma in education at the then University of Natal between 1978 and 1982. In 1994 he completed and M.Phil degree in education management at the University of Cape Town.
After finishing his initial degree, he had to do two years of national services at the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape.
In 1985, Girvin started his teaching career as a geography teacher at Hillcrest High School and little did he know that it was going to be his second home.
He continued teaching the subject until 2019, “I did that because I joined the industry to teach and I enjoyed it, the only reason I stopped was because I thought I was going to retire in 2020,” he said.
On his bucket list, the principal said he loves travelling and is looking forward to explore more countries and cultures.
“Being a teacher, means you can only travel during school holidays, which is more expensive,” he smiled. He particularly enjoyed travelling to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. “The people there were so warm and welcoming, even though the shadow of the war which had previously ravaged the area was still evident,” he said.
With his freedom and more time on his hands, Girvin said he also has many things at his home which needs his attention. His retirement also means, he can go back to singing again.
“I love singing and work has certainly impacted that part of my life,” he said.
He was a member of the Durban Symphonic Choir, ran the Kloof Methodist Church Choir for over 20 years and and still runs the school choir. “With the winter season around the corner, I will also be able to sleep in longer. I got to school at 06:00 each day,” he said.
Being part of a caring school
The school is now filled with 1 100 learners and according to Girvin, the school reflects the ‘real South Africa’ and prepares children to interact with the broad cross-section of South African society.
“This is a caring school, which is one of things I value most. We have all races, all cultures, wealthy, poor,” he said.
Teaching has been the greatest privilege for the headmaster as he said teachers can make a difference in people’s lives, adding that it delights him to bump into a former learners who thank him for the positive impact he made to their lives.
“A teacher is a mentor, role model a facilitator, a teacher can be friendly but never a friend,” advised Girvin.
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He also advised students to achieve a balance at school, focusing on their academics but also taking part in part in extra mural activities, “as the saying goes ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’.
Girvin thanked the community support for the past years. “With the staff, parents and learners support, we have made the school a better place which I am proud to have been part of.
“I hope the acting principal will get the same support and respect. I look forward to reading of the school’s continued progress in the future.”
He reminded everyone of the school motto, ‘if it is to be, it is up to me’.
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