Former English educator and principal Sandra Gous dies
Born on a farm just outside Benoni, she started her primary education in 1948 at St Dunstan's, where she formed a lifelong friendship with Mignonne Farquharson, who wrote her biography in the book.
Former principal of St Dunstan’s College and author of The Memorial, A history of St Dunstan’s Memorial Diocesan School Sandra Gous died on May 6.
Born on a farm just outside Benoni, she started her primary education in 1948 at St Dunstan’s, where she formed a lifelong friendship with Mignonne Farquharson, who wrote her biography in the book.
Sandra was appointed as the Bishop’s house captain and, in her final year, was the principal’s prefect, which allowed her to learn more about Ernest Butler, the principal at the time.
She completed her schooling at Benoni High School and obtained her teaching diploma at the Johannesburg College of Education in 1962, where she later obtained a BA Honours in English, studying part-time through Unisa.
Sandra never lost touch with St Dunstan’s or Benoni, and with the growth of the pre-school and college, she took the post of principal of the college in May 1996 and, in 1998, saw its first group of matric learners pass.
Michelle Heyns, a teacher at Benoni High, described Sandra as kind and insightful.
“She taught me English in my senior years and sent me to the Highveld Festival, where learners were exposed to writing workshops, poetry performances and plays.
“Her recognition of my creative side – which led to my love for writing – inspired me to become a teacher and to touch the lives of children in the same way as she touched mine.”
Michelle now teaches English in what she thinks is the same classroom Sandra taught in.
Sandra retired from teaching and moved to Onrus, outside Hermanus in Cape Town.
Information: Mignonne Farquharson
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