Northern Academy’s Executive Head’s dream of a school of choice

Entering the premises of Northern Academy Secondary School in Suid Street the silence makes it nearly impossible to believe that behind the classroom walls the futures of 2 300 learners are being shaped.
Executive Head of Northern Academy, Chris Jansen van Rensburg (35) believes discipline to be one of the most important factors in any school and contributes significantly to his dream and vision of creating a school of choice.
“It should not only be the dream of a principal and educators but also that of the parents for every learner to achieve his or her full potential. We are also aiming at changing the perception of many parents who think that there is no future for their children no matter their educational level. Our educational systems allows for learners to develop to their full potential no matter their background,” Jansen van Rensburg emphasises.
Adding to his vision is maintaining a 100% pass rate in all grades and creating an environment of quality education for all.
Touching on the subject of challenges, especially in a school with such a high number of learners, Jansen van Rensburg indicated that social media was playing a huge part in learners trying to live up to different role models.
“Who are their role models in today’s modern society? People with money, flashy cars and those doing drugs or successful business people with a family? The perception that education is also easier than in the past is also a challenge. It doesn’t get easier and at the end every learner is writing the same exam,” he said.
The challenge of discipline is something Jansen van Rensburg emphasised as a less worrying factor at Northern Academy. “We believe in a positive disciplinary system. Learners should understand their mistakes and know that there will be consequences. Considering the number of learners our discipline is considered good. Discipline is all about being positively educated,” Jansen van Rensburg said.
A person being appointed as executive head should have certain characteristics in order to run such a large school. Jansen van Rensburg’s opinion is that an executive head should be someone with a vision who allows educators and parents to share and believe in that vision despite the challenges to overcome and compromises to be made.
Jansen van Rensburg was appointed as Executive Head in March 2018. He completed his matric at Hoërskool Noorderland and started a career in the IT industry which also saw him educating learners in IT on a part-time basis at Noorderland.
In 2011 he joined Northern Academy as educator while completing his bachelor’s degree in Education with University of South Africa. In 2017 he had already been appointed as acting principal of the secondary school which was followed by his recent appointment a year later.
At home Jansen van Rensburg is a family man with three children and enjoys karate as hobby. He is a sensei at a local club and boasts his fifth black belt (fifth Dan).

Story and photo: RC Myburgh
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