Werda bids farewell to headmaster in style
"I could not have anticipated a better farewell."
IN a tribute to its soon-to-be-retiring headmaster, Danie de Goede, Werda School hosted a revue as a token of appreciation for contributing to the success of the school. “The revue was a tribute to Mr de Goede and, through the concert, we took spectators on a walk through the highlights of his life to the soundtrack of some of his personal favourite songs, performed by our learners,” said teacher at the school, Odette Strydom.
“Through this, we found it possible to thank him in a small way for all the blood, sweat and tears he has put into making a success of Werda,” she added. In total, 337 pupils participated in the concert.
According to Strydom, the revue is the best school concert to date and both shows, performed on Friday, 28 August and Saturday, 29 August, were sold out. Due to popular demand, an encore performance was held on Wednesday, 2 September. Preparation time comprised three practice sessions per week of the total six weeks. De Goede said, although he was never told that the production would be based on him, he did have his suspicions.
“I was not fully aware that the concert would be a tribute to me, but here and there I gathered that it was,” said the headmaster.
Teachers and pupils might have not done the best of jobs concealing the surprise, but De Geode said he could not have asked for a better send-off. “I could not have anticipated a better farewell. It was excellent and a very personal experience. Every moment was special: the singing, dancing and acting by the Grade 1s right through to the Grade 11s, the music, the décor and the message,” he said.
De Geode was initially a teacher at Werda in 1978 and 1979 before transferring to Voortrekker High School in July, 1979. However, he returned to Werda as deputy principal in July, 1993 until he was promoted to principal on 1 August, 1998. “I have always taught maths, but as a young teacher I also taught German. It has been a privilege to have been associated with Werda for the past 23 years. I believe that I steered the school through many difficult times, but I also shared in the many outstanding achievements of a great school. I shall miss my Werda family, but also know that the school will be in good hands once I leave. May God bless our community and the activities of Werda,” he said.
