After more than 30 years of teaching, Eastleigh Primary School principal Belinda Cooke-Tonnesen stepped down from her position at the end of July.
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On July 30, after 38 years and 7 months, Belinda bid the family of Eastleigh Primary School farewell.
Having joined the school in 1984 Eastleigh Primary School was the first and only school Belinda worked at.
“The odd part is I don’t think it’s quite hit me yet.
“Although on paper I’m retiring I think it is going to take a while for me to realise that I don’t need to be as involved because I am planning things for the coming weeks,” said Belinda.
“I think when I am not so busy and jumping around tending to school things it will hit me.”
In the coming weeks, Belinda plans to visit the school to ensure a smooth transition for the acting principal and current deputy of EPS Hanelene Muller.
Speaking about her retirement plans, Belinda hopes to relax and become as stress-free as possible.
Belinda hopes to continue the Grade 7 Girls Club, a support structure she created for learners.
Having already submitted a proposal to the school’s governing body, Belinda hopes to continue interacting with and supporting learners as best she can.
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Belinda explained she covers topics of health, wellness and lifestyle with them.
“We do a bit of fitness dance, exercise and then they provide me with topics to discuss. When I say anything goes, I mean anything goes. We speak openly and honestly and that’s where it stays.”
Belinda said this support structure was created in response to help guide the youth.
Besides helping learners, Belinda plans to breathe life into the school’s aviary.
As an avid bird watcher and photographer, she plans to re-establish the aviary.
“My mother, Dawn, was mad about animals, especially birds – so I picked that up from her. While Dawn worked at Eastleigh, she took over the aviary.”
Belinda also plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps to do community outreach work at Edenvale Care Centre Hospice.
At the centre, Belinda plans to do volunteer work and assist administrator Marlene Hooper and encourage school involvement.
Looking back, Belinda believes one of the greatest impacts she had at the school was creating an empathetic and mindful environment.
“As a school, you have to be mindful of what issues families or learners are facing and dealing with.
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“I have told teachers that they have to re-assess situations before throwing the rules at learners. You have to abide by the rules, but you have to be open and understanding.”
Another success the school achieved under Belinda’s leadership was the construction of a staff room.
Constructed in 2018/19, the staff room gave teachers their own private space. The staff had to previously make use of a classroom and the school hall.
Next on the school’s list of goals is to construct two specialised classrooms – a science lab and an art room.
In a final message to the school, Belinda said she felt privileged to have led such an exciting and vibrant school.
“At EPS, we are proud of our caring, inclusive ethos where we set high standards and expectations for our learners to achieve and behave their very best.
“We believe in the holistic development of learners and encourage learner participation.”
Belinda said the school believes education is the most powerful tool society can use to shape children’s view of the world and the vision they hold for themselves.
She encouraged the EPS family to strive for success and to aim high.
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