New Forest High principal bids farewell after two decades
In 1997 she joined New Forest High School, were she served as the deputy principal before becoming the first female principal of a co-educational high school in Durban in 2003.
IT was a bitter-sweet day for New Forest High School’s principal for the past two decades, Cherie Pet, who bid farewell to her colleagues and learners as headed into retirement recently.
Pet,64, of Queensburgh retired after 42 years in the education sector.
Talking about her journey, Pet said after she completed her matric at Port Shepstone High School, she went on to complete her Bachelors of Social Science, majoring in biological sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1978.
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She thereafter completed her Diploma in Teaching and took up her first post as a Biology teacher at Brettonwood High School in 1981.
During her time at the school she was promoted to the Department Head of Sciences and completed her Bachelors of Education.
In 1997 she joined New Forest High School, were she served as the deputy principal before becoming the first female principal of a co-educational high school in Durban in 2003.
“ I had chosen to join the school as I admired the then-principal, Mr Smith, and wanted to work with him as he was a good man . Over the years I learnt a lot from him and after he retired I was promoted to the position as principal. It has been a wonderful 20-year-long journey,” she said.
Pet, who also taught life science, natural science and mathematics, said while academics was a priority, it was not the only focus.
“For the teachers and myself our aim has always been trying to get children to think critically and engage. While we are proud of their results, it was not our only focus. We did not want to just churn out good results, but also for them to be good people. Our journey has been much about giving them good values and encouraging them to always be good humans especially in their communities,” she said.
Pet said she was also involved in various extra-mural activities such as athletics, swimming, the environment club, fashion shows, school plays and musicals, matric dances, leadership training and numerous educational excursions and extension programmes.
“I believe it is often in these programmes that happen outside the classroom that the children learn some of their most important lessons and this is something I encourage all schools to provide to ensure a fully rounded curriculum,” she said.
Under her leadership, the school has also introduced various teaching and learning strategies such as Thinking Schools and Kagan Methodology and became part of the Allan Grey Top 100 Schools Circle of Excellence and the Inkanyezi Programme.
Pet said she would miss the companionship she shared with her colleagues. “I have developed great relationships not just with the teachers but also the admin team, support staff and management. It has always been nice to interact and share jokes, smiles and frustration. I am grateful to everyone I have worked with over the last 42 years,” she said.
Pet said her advice to teachers and learners was to never miss an opportunity.
“I have told my colleagues and learners to take a chance if an opportunity comes their way as life is too short. I know the younger generation are quite hesitant and question if they can do it, but I say take the opportunity as you will grow from it.
“As I bid farewell to the learners I told them that life is a growth journey and that the more positive experiences you have and positive things you engage with, will make a difference as you will feel more fulfilled and happy, which is very important,” she said.
The mother of two said her future plans were to focus on herself. “While I don’t know any definite plans, I decided that this will be my ‘yes’ year. I have dedicated over 4o years to my career and my family, but now I want to do all the things I did not get a chance to do because of my commitments,” she said.
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