Almarie van Zyl, the principal of Midrand High School since 2005 has retired.
Having been in education for 40 years, Van Zyl has served the school since it was built in 1993. She climbed up the ranks from head of department to deputy principal and then principal. She said she has fond memories of the challenges at the school in its early days when education and construction took place side by side on the same site.
A teacher at the school, Thomas Stroud said Van Zyl was well known for her passion in education, as well as her impeccable sense of professionalism. “Building the school into a top-notch educational institution of excellence has been a major part of her life’s work,” said Stroud.
“The significance of the school’s inception at the dawn of South Africa’s new democratic era has never been lost on Van Zyl, whose commitment to transformation has always been an unquestionably high priority.”
Of all the many accolades she has received over the years, one of her most cherished prizes is the Ubuntu Award, which she received in Midrand in 2012. The awards are run by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation whereby communities nominate and vote for individuals who have made a difference in their society.
Having been a member of the South African Principals’ Association for many years, she served as president of the Gauteng branch for most of her time as the school’s head.
Her retirement years will not be spent idly, she said. Van Zyl has been commissioned by the Gauteng Department of Education and the Matthew Goniwe Institute to assist in the training and mentoring of school principals. “All who know her agree that there can be none better qualified to carry out this process,” said Stroud.
“She will be deeply missed and will always be remembered for the sterling legacy of academic excellence and for upholding the vision of the school in all that she did; preparing our pupils to be the best for the world. We wish her all the best as she retires and for the next chapter in her life.”
The school will continue in the capable hands of acting principal, Camy Reddy.
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