Ruan takes over as new principal of Curro Secunda

Ruan van der Merwe (34) took over the seat of executive head of Curro Secunda at the beginning of this year.

He is the head of the whole campus consisting of the pre-school, primary school and high school.

Van der Merwe began working as a science teacher at Curro Secunda eight years ago.

He grew up in Secunda and moved to Potchefstroom to study human movement sciences.

He moved back to Secunda after he completed his degree and a family member said there was an opportunity for him to work in Saudi Arabia, but Van der Merwe did not feel ready to leave the country behind, so he took a job as a student teacher at Laerskool Goedehoop instead.

After five years at Goedehoop, there was an opportunity for him at Curro Secunda in 2016 after the school just opened its doors. Van der Merwe decided to explore a new avenue.

“It was the first time that I was teaching high school learners and realised that that was where my passion lies,” said Van der Merwe.

He began climbing the ladder at Curro when he was first promoted to the grade leader of the Grade 9s, then as head of sport for the high school, heading the senior phase and eventually as head of the high school.

Van der Merwe’s vision and plans for Curro Secunda is to improve on what was already built.

“I want Curro to be the number 1 choice school in town and to be a school that stands out within the Curro group.”

In his free time, Van der Merwe enjoys practicing CrossFit with his wife, Chantel, who was also his high school sweetheart.

Van der Merwe used to run and even completed two Comrades marathons, but these days he focuses more on other sports and hobbies.

He has been a Craven Week rugby coach for the past eight years and played rugby at the university level as well as for the Sasol Rugby Club for a few years.

Van der Merwe is proud to be part of Curro Secunda’s beginning years and he is eager to continue with the good momentum that was built at Curro Secunda.