A thorn amongst the roses
Meet Northlands Girls High School’s newest principal, Andrew Graaf.
WITH the start of a brand new school year Andrew Graaf is set to break the mould as he assumes his new role as the first male principal of the Northlands Girl’s High School.
Assuming the reins from former acting principal, Roshni Moonsamy, the Durban North resident said he is excited to build on the success of the public-based all-girls-school.
“I am inheriting a school with a long record of educational excellence. It would be a bit arrogant of me to say that I would be sweeping in here like a new broom making changes. Rather, I plan to work from within to build on the profile of the school. My mission is to build a school that truly serves the community,” he said.
The father of two (daughter, 21 and son, 24) started his career in education as an English teacher at New Forest High School in Montclair. Then in 1998 a new opportunity beckoned in the form of a deputy principal position at his former school, Alexandra High School in Pietermaritzburg. A decade later Graaf took up the principal position at the school.
However, a teaching career was never a dream of Graaf. As an aspiring actor he was exposed to the schooling world during an ‘educational tour’. “I found it fascinating and eventually become a teacher by default. Never have I doubted my choice,” he said, proudly.
“It is remarkable, that as I take on my 30th year in my education career I also take on the challenge as the first male principal of an all-girls-school. I know people will be asking ‘why?’ and ‘how it will make a difference?’ My answer is simply: why should it make a difference? And why not have a male principal for an all-girls-school? I like to think we have reached an era where we should be focussed more on the person rather than their gender,” he added.
Graaf, who has previously administered co-ed schools, said he despises any form of discrimination and strongly champions the rights of young women and girls.
“During my tenure at Alexandra I encountered some of the most dire challenges faced by women in this country. My experiences turned me into an advocate for girls’ rights. There is absolutely no reason why women or girls should ever be made to feel inferior,” he said.
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