THE beginning of the third term will be the start of a whole new chapter for Janine Houston as she has been appointed as the new principal for Sarnia Primary School.
She is taking over from Peter O’Neill who retired last year after leading the school for 21 years. Houston said she started working at the school doing locum work and came on board full time in 2016.
“I taught Grade Six Afrikaans, English and Art. After a few years I was promoted to being department head.”
She said she feels she has huge shoes to fill taking over from O’Neil as he was a great leader.
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“He left the school running so well and I will ensure that his legacy, values and principles continue. The best part is that we are still in contact. I work very well with deputy principal, Ingrid Jorgensen, who has been acting principal in the interim.
Houston has always had a passion for teaching and had not a single doubt in her mind about her future in education. She studied Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban campus for three years.
“I did my fourth year at Edgewood College which was all about gaining more practical experience on how to teach.”
She said in those days one was posted at any school and she was supposed to teach in KwaMbonambi, a town in King Cetshwayo District Municipality
Although she specialised in the Intermediate Phase, after graduating, she received a call from Heather Wilson who was a principal at
Carrington Heights Junior Primary School where she was offered a position to teach the Grade 3s.
“It worked as an absolute blessing for me as I learnt so much from her.”
The Kloof resident also taught at Glenmore Primary School where she acted as HOD for six months.
From 1996 to 2013, she taught at Thomas More College, “It was a small school at the time. The staff and parents invested a lot of hours in making the school what it is today, it really started from humble beginnings and I have to say I am proud of the work that was done in unity.
“When my children were in school and started playing sport in KZN and SA teams, I took a break from teaching to support and travel with them but also did lots of locum teaching in between – once a teacher, always a teacher,” she said.
Learnt from the best
Houston also learnt a lot about teaching from her mother who was also an educator.
“She was not so keen on me being a teacher but I must say she is and has been my biggest supporter and is very proud of me,” she said with a smile.
Speaking about her mother she said she was an inspiration and a phenomenal teacher. She was a single parent, taught at Hillary Primary School and did everything to the best of her ability.
Houston grew up in the Queensburgh area and matriculated at Queensburgh Girls’ High School.
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As an educator, she said every day is different. “My passion is to make learning interesting and for a child to express their opinion.
Children need to also understand that it is okay if you do not get something right the first time. Learning is a process and we need to explore different options.”
As a principal she said she will continue interacting with the children even though she won’t be teaching them as much.
“I won’t be able to succeed alone! I need the staff and the parents to work with me as we are all working towards a common goal. Consistency and open communication are vital. I am grateful for the support from my family as teaching takes a lot of time away from them,” she said.
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