Panorama Primary officially has a new principal
Olive Siminya aims to empower, guide and create opportunities through her leadership role
Progress is marching full steam ahead with official backing.
The appointment of Panorama Primary School’s new principal has been finalised. Having served in an acting capacity since September 2021, Olive Siminya now officially takes the reigns. In doing so, Siminya becomes the first black female principal of the school since Panorama Primary’s inception in 1979.
Siminya’s first notable teaching appointment came in 1988 at Immaculata Secondary School in Diepkloof. She has always been based on the West Rand and joined Panorama in 2007, teaching technology, economic management studies, life orientation and social sciences. By 2010, she was head of department and in 2014, was given the responsibility of the deputy principal position.
“I have loved teaching since I was a young girl and I love working with young children. I knew it was my calling from the beginning,” said the principal.
Describing the official announcement as having a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders, Siminya will now focus on continuing the work already done to enhance the school’s academic and sporting excellence.
“I was happy, elated, over the moon. I am relieved that I can get on without having any doubts” she said.
One challenge Siminya wishes to address is the promotion of parental involvement. The 2020 global health panic broke the strong relationship between schools and parents, and while Siminya admits that rebuilding that relationship is going well, more can be done. “Parents and families struggled. I want ourselves and our parents to understand we form a triangle with the learners. It is a partnership that can help grow the school,” she stated.
Planning to lead with love, care and attention, Panorama’s principal aims to guide more, empowering more and open up as many opportunities for all within the school as possible. While still far into the distance, Siminya would consider it a success if she left a legacy of having empowered those around her while doing nothing but her best for the school.
