Being an educator and leader of Edenvale High School was described by Dr Larry Harmer as being some of the best years of his life.
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This description comes as Harmer recently announced his retirement as principal as he steps away from Edenvale High School.
“It’s been the most fantastic time of my life. I don’t know if many people can say that but particularly the last 17 years leading the school was very special.”
Harmer, a former learner of Jeppe Boys High School, said after matriculating and obtaining his teaching qualification from Wits he started teaching physical education at his alma mater in 1983.
He taught there for four years before moving to Edenvale High at the end of 1986.
Harmer explained that the path that led him to become an educator was a strange occurrence.
“I was at Wits to apply for engineering because my dad was an engineer and a friend of mine told me he was going to become a physical education teacher.”
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Thinking it was a great idea, Harmer changed queues on the spot.
“When my dad found out he told me he wasn’t going to pay for me to become a teacher but I obtained a full bursary and the rest is history,” said a smiling Harmer.
“I loved every minute of my decision and my career.”
After moving to Edenvale High, Harmer became head of the department for life orientation.
Although he told the Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS that he originally had plans to return to Jeppe with his HOD title, Harmer decided to stay at Edenvale.
“I enjoyed the challenges that the school posed.”
Harmer said there was a negative perception of learners who attended the school.
“Community members perceived the school to be ba. I came from a boy’s school and you can’t get naughtier than that.”
Harmer said initially he found the transition to Edenvale difficult but embraced the change.
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“The discipline was found to be somewhat lacking but we put measures into place to remedy the shortcomings.
I think the biggest thing back then was that there weren’t enough male teachers in the school.”
Harmer said once he became deputy principal, he felt empowered to change the school.
“I was told that I had all these weird and wonderful ideas.”
In 2005 he was promoted to principal of the school and for him, that was the turning point of the school.
He said that is when the ‘good to great’ philosophy kicked in.
“I read a book by Jim Collins called Good to Great. I still read it. It says that good is the enemy of great and that has always stuck with me.”
Harmer said he has included those words in his speeches to encourage the school to grow to the next level.
He said comparing the school from when he first arrived to where it is today is unreal.
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“Twenty years ago Edenvale High was one of the average schools in Gauteng and now we are known as one of the top schools.”
He said what has made the school a success is the correct balance of discipline, qualified staff and learners working in partnership.
“I don’t think many people can say it, and maybe it was because I was headmaster at Edenvale High, but I looked forward to coming in to work every day.”
Highlighting memories, Harmer said a special day for him was when he bid farewell to the entire school at the end of October.
He said the learners gave him a walk of honour from the hall to his office while each class wrote a card to him.
Harmer remembered when he was hospitalised in 2015 after breaking his neck
“The learners at the time and all the local schools rallied behind me in the hope of making a difference.”
“While I was recovering, they sent their love and support despite me not being at the school and that was special.”
With his last day at Edenvale High set for December 15, Harmer said although next year will be a massive change, several doors have already opened.
As his last day December 15 approaches Dr Harmer said he also plans to focus more on his sport which includes CrossFit and cycling.
“I know whatever I do it will be in the field of academics because that is what I know.”
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Although the interview process for his replacement has started with internal and external applicants, Harmer said the announcement of who will lead the school will only be made next year.
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