In the spotlight: Get to know Sonja van Aswegen

Sonja van Aswegen is the head of Curro Helderwyk school. The Alberton resident has been the principal of the school since October 2014. She has been married to Kevin for nearly 32 years and has one son, Elandré (26).

• Provide a brief description of your career history: Where and when did you start, which subjects did you teach, which grade?

I believe my teaching career has almost come full circle.

I started at Hoër Handelskool Boksburg in January 1987.

In 1992 the school moved to Sunward Park and was renamed Hoërskool Oosterlig.

I was an English teacher for the FET phase until I moved to Eden College in Lyndhurst, Johannesburg, in 2006.

I now teach life orientation to the Grade Eight learners at Helderwyk – as this enables me to get to know all the learners in our school.

• What inspired you to join this profession?

This has never been an easy question to answer.

I was registered for a different degree, but woke up one morning, went to school and asked my guidance teacher for assistance to register for my BA Ed.

I believe that teaching is my true calling in life.

• How would your learners describe you?

Strict but fair.

• When you were in school, what subject provided the best learning experience for you?

Definitely English.

Literature and poetry were platforms for so many meaningful conversations about life.

• What do you like most about your job?

Going to school every day with the expectation of doing something meaningful in developing our youth to become the best versions of themselves.

• Is there any advice you would give to a person starting out in your chosen career?

You need to be called to be a teacher.

Know that rewards will come with hard work.

Know yourself before you decide which phase you would want to teach; not everyone can be high school educators and likewise nor everybody can be primary school educators.

• What do you see on the horizon for your line of work?

Being in education for more than three decades, I have been part of an amazing journey.

I see learners being guided and skilled to become game changers in the 21st century.

• Do you have any hobbies or special interests?

When I have the time I love reading almost anything I can lay my hands on.

I love entertaining and cooking and I am always looking for new recipes and table settings.

I also love flower arranging, but unfortunately seldom get the opportunity to do so.

• Who or what inspires you?

Both my parents played an important role in my life.

My dad especially inspired me to believe in myself and be the best possible me.

People who have made a success of their lives, despite odds being against them also inspire me.

• What do you feel you have bragging rights to?

I do not feel as if I have bragging rights to anything. We are who we are because of our Maker.

• What is your favourite thing about Brakpan?

All the wonderful friends I have who live in Brakpan and many early childhood memories.

Also read: A rainbow nation hits Curro

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