Nicolene Thomas is the new principal of Kenton Primary School and she is looking forward to her journey.
She has been in the education industry for more than 25 years and she is still loving every second of it.
“Never in my dreams did I think that I would one day lead a school. It has always been on my list of goals, but when it came to reality I was so shocked and excited at the same time,” she said.
The RECORD visited Nicolene to chat about her career and to find out who she is.
From teacher to principal
Nicolene studied at the Rand College of Education for three years before doing her fourth year at the Normal College of Pretoria before getting her degree in BED Teaching and Learning at the University of Potchefstroom in 2001.
“I wanted to study for law, but being a teacher was always part of me as I played school-school as a child.”
Nicolene started her career as a teacher at Eden Park Primary School.
There she taught English first additional language, English home language, life orientation, mathematics, science, arts and culture and sewing.
“I was part of the school for nine years. For eight years I taught Grade Four to Seven learners and for a year I taught the Grade Three’s.”
She then left to teach English first an additional language and mathematics for the foundation phase learners at the Encochoyini Primary School in Thokoza for a year.
Thereafter she got went over to Brackenhurst Primary School where she was the head of department of the Grade Four to Seven learners.
She also taught the Grade Six learners technology and she gave natural science to the Grade Seven learners.
Nicolene got the opportunity to work as the Grade Four to Six Afrikaans and English subject head for the Johannesburg South district.
“I was responsible for training educators and I provided academic leadership in the relevant subject area.”
According to her all the different titles in her career allowed her to see the education industry in a bird’s eye view.
“I have learned a lot, I’ve met wonderful people and I accomplished wonderful things,” Nicolene added.
A working passion
The best part about her job is seeing that all the needs of the children are being met and to see their progress and growth.
“We have the future in our hands and it is our responsibility to teach them right and make sure that they get a healthy education,” she said.
As the new principal, she faces a lot of challenges, but it never kept her from finding solutions for problems.
“Challenges is what help us to grow,” she said.
One of the challenges is to refer parents to other schools due to no available space to accommodate more children.
“Our building does not allow us to facilitate more children. We are already standing on 75 staff members and 1084 children.”
Another challenge is the traffic during peak times.
“We have four gates open in the mornings and afternoons to make traffic flow gradually, but it is still a big challenge.”
Nicolene is all about making the school grow and building the school’s name with the help of her colleagues.
She has established 14 committee groups between the school’s teachers who each focus on a different aspect of the school.
“We have one group focusing on the security, another focusing on fundraising and another on sport, arts and culture. This is to allow everyone to share their ideas and have their voice heard. Decisions are made not only by me but with my family at Kenton Primary School.”
For Nicolene it is important to maintain the school’s property, keep up the standard of education and stick to the school’s morals and vision.
She is passionate about empowering academic leaders to develop strategic learning and teaching frameworks that foster continuous improvement and growth.
“I must say that I got to know all of the staff at Kenton Primary School over the last eight months and I can proudly say that they are so talented, committed and loyal. They will always go the extra mile even if it is not in their job description. We are all here on the same mission and that is to offer a safe learning space for children.”
On a personal note
Nicolene grew up in Elderado Park with her two sisters and one brother.
She went to EW Hobs Primary School and matriculated at Silver Oaks Secondary School. While studying at the Rand College of Education she met her husband, Sammy, and they have been married for 26 years.
Today she lives in Albertsdal and she is a mom of three.
In her spare time, she loves to pack up and take her family to the sea.
“We love to go out and spend quality time with each other,” said Nicolene.
They are also big on celebrating milestones and achievements.
Her sister, Georgia Bihl-Kirkwood, is her biggest inspiration as she always sees the good in everything.
“If positive were a person that would be my sister,” she added.
In the education world Ann Burger, Deon Oerson and Millicent Phillips inspire her as she looks up to them and the way they handle everything.
Nicolene lives by the following life motto: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
