Durban High School welcomes new principal

THERE is a new man at the helm at Durban High School. Tony Pinheiro took up his new post as the scholl’s 15th headmaster at start of the new school term.

Mr Pinheiro, who has a Bachelor of Education (Honours Degree), and is known to have a particular interest in Educational Management and Law, as well as Sociological trends, began his teaching career in 1992. He joined Glenwood High School in April 1994.

As the Senior Deputy Principal at Glenwood High, he has served as Acting Principal since February 2016.

This was Mr Pinheiro’s second prolonged stint as Acting Principal. Previously, the Department of Education selected and seconded him to the role of Acting Principal of Brettonwood High School at a time when Brettonwood was in dire straits. Mr Pinheiro did an excellent job steadying the ship before handing over to the new principal.

ALSO READ: Maths and science centre opens at DHS

DHS Governing Body chairman, Mr Winston Owen, said despite Mr Pinheiro having spent 23 years at “our rival”school”, his laudable track record speaks for itself.

“Not only did he do a great job as Acting Head at both Brettonwood and Glenwood, but he was also responsible for introducing the advanced academic programme to Glenwood which led to them being licensed by Cambridge University to run the Cambridge programme, enabling matriculants to have easier access to top overseas universities.”

“Tony Pinheiro has palpable leadership energy. He is a futurist and a visionary, but understands the importance of the traditional values of a great school like DHS. Through the selection process, it became clear to us that he was the right person to lead this fine school with a great history, into a magnificent future,” said Owen.

Mr Pinheiro is married to Colleen, a highly respected educationist herself. His daughter, Cassandra, is in her Honours year as a Bachelor of Science student at Stellenbosch University, while his son Dominic is currently a 1st year student at Tukkies.

Mr Pinheiro is an avid reader and accomplished chess player and enjoys both travel and sport. He was the 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket coach at Glenwood for a number of years.

A special assembly at the school on Wednesday, 19 April, Mr Owen thanked Mr Alan Norton for serving as Acting Headmaster before officially introducing Mr Pinheiro to the staff and boys.

ALSO READ: New post for Glenwood’s acting head

In his address to learners and staff, Mr Pinheiro emphasised his deep-seated belief in the importance of values and principles and shared that his vision for the school to return it to being the top school in South Africa. In addition, he mentioned the significance of traditional boys’ schools and that every young boy should understand what it is to be a real man.

He highlighted that each and every learner should have a deep respect for the teaching profession and value their teachers. He then left the young men with a number of quotes, one being “You make a choice and your choice makes you.”

Mr Pinheiro ended the assembly stating that he was honoured to serve as the new Headmaster of Durban High School.