Well done Norkem High School

VICTOR RADEBE of Norkem Park writes:

Please join me in congratulating Norkem Park High School for being awarded as Ekurhuleni’s Most Improved School for the academic year 2015, evidence being matric results performance, which improved from 82 per cent in 2014 to 89 per cent in 2015.

Back in my school days, I remember walking into my school principal’s office and being struck by a sign hanging on his wall bearing these words: “When I do right, nobody remembers, but when I do wrong, everybody remembers”.

My observation of the school between 2006 and 2014 was a sad case of a dice gamblers’ paradise. Concerned with this daily occurrence on school premises, the majority of the community searched outside of Norkem Park for the high school for their children’s futures.

One mid-morning in 2012, I picked a Norkem learner on his way “home”. Asking him why he was not at school, he said the next teacher had a double period and all she was going to do was give them something to read while she goes out to smoke. For the whole two periods?

I spoke to him about the dangers of bunking school and delivered him back at school, as he budged. This was not an isolated incident.

Mr Hasani Chauke took over as principal in the third quarter of 2014. Since then, there has been a glaring remarkable change; less loitering in and outside of the school, some of the educators are guiding classes even on weekends and learners are responding positively.

The school resembles a self-respecting learning environment. I don’t suggest they are problem-free yet, in fact logic tells me they have a lot to deal with still, but Mr Chauke has emerged as a committed leader.

Vince Lombardi, American football coach, said: “There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don’t win the game. (They’re missing) the third ingredient: if you’re going to play together as a team you’ve got to care for one another. You’ve got to love each other.

“Each player has to be thinking about the next guy and saying to himself: ‘I have to do my job well in order that he can do his…’ The difference between mediocrity and greatness is the feeling (the teammates) have for each other.”

There is a lot that detractors can berate to underrate this speech, but good educators will support good leadership in the interest of learners. Norkem High has a lot of good educators. With a dedicated principal’s support, a 100 per cent matric pass rate is a 100 per cent possible for them and learners. Henry Ford said: “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.”

I would like to implore the parents to prioritise meetings and parent consultation evenings when the principal calls them. Lack of attendance of those has proved problematic for the school as parents grew increasingly disinterested over this period.

I also want to encourage the current governing body to relentlessly support the principal’s efforts; he is proving to be a seasoned educator who cares.

Lastly, if you are in business and are reading this, consider financially supporting the school’s infrastructure. Face value evidence shows that it needs improvements. Well done Norkem High, a great future lies ahead!