Final lap 2016

As I looked at class of 2016 this morning, I couldn't help feeling deeply saddened. I'm sad for so many reasons. Observing them I had an immense sense of loss. I doubt whether they realise how many opportunities they've allowed to go by unutilized. Opportunities that offered life changing experiences, ... ignored, unappreciated, missed, lost, gone forever!

My prayer is that on the eve of the most important exam of their life, they will be awakened by a much deeper sense of reality, knowing that they need to draw on every bit of strength within to resiliently rise above every circumstance posing a challenge to realising their short term goals of obtaining their senior certificates and in so doing unlocking the chances of a better life, beyond the restrictive boundaries of a life prone to all sorts of abuses, poverty, gangsterism, crime and all evils associated with these crippling realities. So help them God!

Tracking progress on my journey towards whole-school improvement

As I reflect on the past 18 months on this new journey on which I've been called to serve in specific schools at risk, I'm filled with immense gratitude for the opportunity to contribute in a way that is so incredibly fulfilling and provides so much joy and contentment in serving my divine purpose.

An incredible sense of belonging fills one that moment you sense "this is it", I am where I'm intended to be. Nothing beats the feeling, the energy it ignites is simply indescribable. The closest description that comes to my mind is the immense sense of comfort when I get into my preheated bed at the end of a very cold, Winter's day or the taste of English toffee frozen yoghurt on a warm, Summer's day.

That's how I've been feeling this past year and a half. Each day has provided the most incredible opportunities, whether spontaneous or planned. With every new day's challenges, I gained physical and mental strength through collaborative interventions, sourcing expertise, inviting synergised inputs, inspiring hope in what seemed hopeless situations and ultimately implementing action plans which in many cases, though not all, provided the desired outcomes. The collective experiences gained, was shaped towards enlightened perspectives of self and others, our joint fears, our joint moments of confusion, helplessness and frustration and then the adrenalin rush when that 'aha' moment arrives, the moment of enlightenment, followed by hope and faith when the possible solution is formulated and articulated.

As we navigated the ship through each of these various tides of school life, a growing awareness took shape: 'I am, because of you!' The wonderfully, divine orchestration of cause and effect, finding a common vision, joining in collaborative action in the subsequent pursuit towards understanding in times of confusion, answers to the many questions, a solution to the many challenges, and in every moment of achievement, collective celebration of courageous efforts! We are because of us!

Inspiring excellence

Amanda Gudwa 

Bottom: with Mr Qali (History teacher)and Mr Solly Mqoqi (History Subject Adviser)

Amanda Gudwa, a Gr. 11 learner at Esangweni Secondary school is the only entrant this year in the Albert Luthuli Young Historian Awards from Metropole East Education District. She selected a local resident of Khayelitsha who dedicates his life to empowering young people from his neighbourhood to become achievers in life. We are exceptionally proud of this young lady and wish her all the best on this exciting journey. A word of gratitude to her educator,  Mr Qali for his encouragement and for identifying the potential in his learners. 

I salute all educators who are willing to go that extra mile to unlock opportunities like these for their learners.

I'm in the business of inspiring legacies worth sharing

No, this is no competition aimed at a grand prize, this is merely the desire of winning more opportunities for our youth in pursuit of their destiny, a life so rewarding and fulfilling, it will unlock a treasure chest of legacies far beyond the authors' wildest imagination!

Oh my, how this thought fills me with exhilirating visions of young men and women living exemplary,  fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. I want so much to be part of this 'fairy tale' for as many of our princesses and princes as I possibly can.

So, here's to the next phase in my pursuit to living a purposeful life! Here's to building those awesome legacies worth sharing!

Masters of their own destiny

Our youth, our future: enthusiastic about personal development, in pursuit of their destiny!

For every season there's a reason

For every season there's a reason

Sounds a little cliché at first glance, but an amazingly affirmative from where I'm standing.


You see, frankly, for the past three years I've merely been "surviving", having to constantly push myself each day of every year to boldly put up the front of a 'successful', enthusiastic professional ready to take on every challenge in improving the educational outcomes of the institutions that I serve. Some challenges, I'm pleased to say, were resolved, but some sadly still hang over my head like a dark cloud, hauntingly, feeding on the energy created by crippling, fear provoking  social contexts that compares with the many horror movies created as fictitious tales to entertain.

The encounters I've had left me at a loss for words at times, at best I walked into some situations with barely my faith in a Divine God with a sweet promise of never forsaking us, for there was no manual, no guideline document, no precidence in possible appropriate practice. For the most part it had much to do with creating the appropriate response and accompanying action in the moment. Yep, building the bridge over the troubled water with each progressing step towards the opposite side. To be continued ...

a road less travelled

At the closing stages of another academic year, I reflect on a year which started on a high with an overall improvement in annual national assessments and systemic tests as well as  improved matric results in the eight high schools in my circuit. The positive outcomes of the hard work of school managers and educators alike set the scene for the road ahead.

At Metropole East, 2013 introduced a new model for circuit and component operations aimed at strengthening service delivery to all our schools. This new endeavour brings me to my topic, 'the road leas travelled'. I had no illusions about the demands posed by this new model of operations with regard to my role as Circuit Manager.Essentially it meant that I would be directly involved in supporting schools on management and governance issues as well as sourcing specialist support from the Curriculum, Special Needs Education, Corporate Services and Institutional Management Governance components. All circuit team members were re-allocated to the components of their specialism under the supervision of the respective Deputy Chief Education Specialists and Component Heads. The Circuit Manager (CM) was left with an Office Assistant shared between two Circuit Managers. The six initial circuits were halfed and a thirteenth created for special schools. On average, each subsection of these six circuits consists of a managable amount of 13 schools.

A flatter circuit management structure was created that intentionally aimed to ensure shorter turn-over rates in addressing schools' needs and specific challenges schools face. As school visits for CMs increased, time spent at the office was minimised, which might have created pressure with regard to administrative duties in the absence good time management practices. New duties for CMs include support and monitoring visits to schools, Performance Management of Principals, Recruitment and Selection processes of Principal and Deputy Principal posts, training of management and School Governing Bodies among others.

In essence, change management involves taking risks. It's about being bold enough to admit when a system has shortcomings and opting for strategic alternatives to address these, is what shapes successful organisations. Looking back on 'the road less travelled', I acknowledge all who have contributed to making this experience a much less stressful one than anticipated and much more rewarding than I've experienced over the last five years in this post. I look ahead to a new year with many more rewarding experiences as we continue our pursuit for educational excellence.