HAILED as a dedicated, passionate and determined visionary leader with flair, Gillitts Primary School principal Arti Jadoo could not hold back her tears during a gratitude and farewell lunch hosted in honour of the school’s sponsors and to celebrate her legacy.

The ceremony on Wednesday, February 12, also served as a ribbon cutting event to officially open the recently constructed school hall which served as the venue for the lunch.

Jadoo, who has worked in the education sector for over 40 years, joined the school in 2004 and took the reins in 2010.

The soon to retire principal expressed her gratitude for the privilege of leading and serving the school and its community throughout the years, as well as for the relationships forged through challenges and strengthened in shared successes.

“I am deeply thankful for the trust that has been placed in me,” said Jadoo.

She shared what she described as a “fairytale journey” since joining the school as a departmental head in 2004, till she took up the principal post in 2010 during dire times which resulted in the school being declared dysfunctional.

Despite rumours that accused her of plotting for the principal’s position and doubts based on her gender, Jadoo said she took a decisive decision to carry out the “mammoth task” of transforming the school.

“Yet through it all, my faith never wavered,” said Jadoo, who also thanked the school’s “pioneering families”, sponsors, and staff she worked with to transform “a once dysfunctional school to one of excellence” that was eventually awarded for its performance in 2019.

“Your impact will live on. Working with you has been a true joy. I will cherish our memories forever,” said Jadoo, tipping her hat to her staff.

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She further extended her appreciation to the school governing body (SGB) and added that though retiring had been a “hard decision”, she is content that she will go into it knowing “that the school is on the right path”.

Jadoo urged the school’s sponsors to continue to show their support to the staff, learners and the community.

Circuit Manager Bongumusa Ndaba labelled Jadoo as an “important figure within the education system” whose achievements do not go unnoticed.

Ndaba applauded the school for reimagining its curriculum by introducing robotics because this has become a relevant subject in modern times.

To the learners, Ndaba said: “It is important to know where you come from but that does not determine where you are going.”

Executive director at Cooke and Fuller Insurance Brokers, one of the school’s benefactors, Colleen Saunders, said after meeting Jadoo for the first time she “immediately liked her” and would over the years grow to admire the principal.

“One thing is for certain, Miss Jadoo doesn’t take no for an answer. She’s focused and determined and had a vision for the school,” said Saunders.

SGB chair Geraldine Ramsuran thanked the school’s sponsors and lauded Jadoo for her leadership which will leave an indelible mark.

“She not only educated young minds but she also touched many hearts,” said Ramsuran, who assured that Jadoo’s successor will be fully supported by the school’s dedicated, committed and loyal staff.

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