POLOKWANE – Sandy and her husband, John, were members of the Capricorn High School board, John being the chairperson, for several years before they and like-minded board members contemplated the idea of an independent preparatory school.
Not long after this idea took root, Mitchell House Preparatory School was born in 1994 and was accommodated in one of the residences at Capricorn High School.
In 2004 Sandy and John took a leap of faith to build the purpose-made campus which now houses the school.
This was followed by the establishment of a college in 2008 where Sandy, who had found retirement inadequate to her energy needs, took the fledgling college under her wing.
Mitchell House Headmaster, Andrew Cook, appointed Sandy as the director of studies at the college after he was appointed headmaster of the school in 2010.
“It was a recognition of her leadership abilities, not only academically but also towards learners and teaching staff. She was tireless in her organisation of the college and was influential in the establishment of an ethos of service in the school.
“Children vied to be involved in her community service club which regularly collected more money for Cansa than any other corporate in the city. She made learners feel the nobility of putting service before self. All the major decisions taken in moulding the college would have gone through her caring hands. She had high standards of behaviour herself and demanded similar standards from those who worked with her – teacher and learner. She was at her best when one realised without any flourish, learners would acknowledge her gentleness as well as her toughness.
“She embodied all that is best in educational leadership and was loyal to a wonderful degree,” he said.
He told Review Sandy had the task of leading the college to its first cohort of matriculants in 2012, and their superb performance set the standard for years to come. Sandy requested to extend her service by one year and Andrew said 2013 was her lap of honour and swan song.
“She was both formidable and vulnerable, a joy to work with and a loyal friend. We will miss her physical presence but her spirit will live on at Mitchell House. We wish her family comfort in this time of grief; may she rest in peace.”
Mitchell House will have a memorial service for Sandy on Monday, 12 February at 10:00 at the Garden of Remembrance.
