After 38 years in education, the Principal of Millenium Primary School, Eugene Grobler, retired on Friday, August 27.
The 63-year-old Eugene said it is his love for people, children, cultural activities and sport that led him to becoming an educator.
“Education is a calling! It gave me the opportunity to express myself fully.”
He studied at the Goudstad Onderwyskollege where he met his wife, Carine. He furthered his studies part time and finished his degree and honours degree at the then RAU (University of Johannesburg). In 1983 he started his career as a teacher at Laerskool Culembeeck.
In 1989 he was promoted to head of department at Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys, and later to deputy principal of the same school.
“I was very involved in rugby and cricket, and coached a number of regional teams,” Eugene said, and added that he was also the secretary of the Johannesburgse Afrikaanse Kunsvereniging.
When he was younger he was a provincial referee for primary school rugby, and served on the Golden Lions rugby management for many years.
On July 1, 1997 he was transferred to the Krugersdorp-Oos Primary School, and in 2000 Luipaardsvlei Primary and Krugersdorp-Oos Primary combined to become Millenium Primary School.
“It was an honour to serve the community as principal for more than 24 years. I was the longest-serving principal in Krugersdorp.”
There are so many memories, but he will never forget the children’s spontaneity and love. “I met so many wonderful parents and people from the community, and had an unbelievable team of dynamic staff that always went the extra mile. You become very attached to one another after working together for so long.”
So what does the future look like for Eugene? He explained that he would be leaving for Botswana soon on a 4×4 tour. He looks forward to spending time with his children in Cape Town and Centurion, and plans on travelling the country.
His message to the learners, parents and staff of Millenium is a simple one.
“May the sun that rise every day, shine bright on everyone. May the staff send the children into the world with empathy, honesty, integrity, humbleness and good manners. Start every day by thanking the Lord because without him we are nothing. I place Millenium and its people in the Lord’s hands. My best wishes for your road ahead.”
