Samantha takes the lead at Crawford Preparatory North Coast

Crawford Preparatory North Coast has a new face ready to greet students and parents.

With a total of 26 years’ worth of experience in the education sector, newly-appointed school head Samantha Smit says that what she finds most important in life is a combination of respect and empathy, which she intends to see instilled in her pupils.

Hailing from Salt Rock, Samantha started her career as an accounting and business studies teacher, later moving on to lead management teams, including that of academics in the role of deputy head at Advtech School in Ruimsig.

“I then became head of high school and eventually executive head at Curro schools, with the position of executive head at Curro Mount Richmore.”

Smit said she is most drawn to the academic offering at Crawford North Coast.

“The IB Primary Years programme, offered at the Preparatory is an international curriculum and teaching model. The inquiry-based programme lends itself to integration across the curriculum meaning that pupils take ownership of their learning. Pupils make their own decisions about what, why and how they learn as co-collaborators in their learning community.”

Smit says being both a wife and mother have impacted her role as a principal because they keep her grounded in the real world.

Her plans for Crawford North Coast, she says, are to create more awareness in the community of the curriculum being offered and would like the school to become the school of choice for parents, teachers and pupils.

“This curriculum is trans-disciplinary. It transcends traditional boundaries between subject areas. The kids explore themes of global significance; who they are, where they are in place and time, how they express themselves, how the world works, how they organise themselves and share the planet.

“I am not sure that many people are aware of this amazing curriculum followed at the school, so I would really like for parents and children in the community to experience this learning. We will be hosting our first online lesson to all prospective grade 1s and 4s to start off with.

“Education allows you to impact life lessons and further to influence children’s behaviours, strengths, weaknesses and imaginations,” said Smit, who is also passionate about outreach and community projects.

With qualities often found in a leader, Smit exhibits courage and is passionate about teaching and learning – while understanding the importance of relationships and empowering pupils and fellow staff.

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