“It is a privilege to have been appointed as one of the school’s Deputy Principals and I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Ben Botha.
Ben has been teaching for 27 years, of which 26 have been at Hoërskool Die Burger, where he has been the Head of the Technical Department for the past 11 years. “I have been acting as Deputy Principal since last year October and was formally appointed on 1 August. I want to thank the School Governing Body, teachers and parents for their faith in my ability,” he said with a big smile.
Ben added that being one of the school’s Deputy Principals will be a huge responsibility and he is aware of the challenges he will have to face. “I am looking forward to taking on this huge task and I believe I will be able to make a difference. It will take some time, but every procedure that is put in place will contribute to this,” he said.
He would love to see the school being restored to its former glory, and would be working hard to achieve this and said, “I have been at the school for many years, and have witnessed as it slipped backwards. I have seen what mistakes have been made, and believe that I have learned from them to make a difference going forward.”
Ashley Clapper, who has also been appointed as a Deputy Principal, has been teaching for 29 years, of which 11 have been at Die Burger. Before being appointed as a Deputy, he was the Head of the Humanities Department. “I am very excited about being appointed, because I really wanted this post. I am looking forward to shouldering the responsibility and taking up all the challenges that come with it,” he said.
He echoed most of Ben’s sentiments, adding that the biggest difference he would love to see during his term, is better results, from Grade 8 to Grade 12, and said, “I would also love to see more parent involvement, as I believe that this will contribute hugely towards the solution to most of the problems we are experiencing currently.”
The message the two new deputies would like to convey is simple, “Let us forget about the past and start with a clean slate. Everyone, from the teachers, to the parents and community, must join hands and be willing to walk the path together, to ensure we bring about the change we all want to see. We believe that, if we have the assistance of all role-players, we will be able to change the school’s image for the better,” they said.
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