Our Lady of Fatima bids farewell to beloved principal
Dee Horsfall, who joined Fatima in 1985, had also taught and coached several sports at the school, including swimming and netball.
WITH more than 38 years of service to education, Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School recently bid farewell to school principal Dee Horsfall.
Horsfall, who joined Fatima in 1985, has taught and coached several sports at the school, including swimming and netball. She also served as deputy principal before taking over as principal for the past 11 years.
While she also taught in Harare, Zimbabwe and Inanda Seminary for five years, most of her career in education has been at Fatima.
Reflecting on her path to education, Horsfall highlighted what has been important to her.
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“I’ve always gravitated towards teaching. I had exceptional educators when I was at school who went over and above what was expected, not just from an academic perspective, but also in extra curricular programmes. I am passionate about education and young people. I feel that good educators build strong relationships with their learners. When you’re teaching and coaching, you are also mentoring and encouraging the learners to discover and reach their potential.
“Being able to coach and teach at this school has been a real blessing. Fatima also has a strong spiritual emphasis which is important to me. This school gave me the opportunity to express all the things I find important in life. It has been extremely fulfilling,” she said.
Horsfall says she hopes to travel and spend more time with her family as she retires.
“I think the time is right to move on to a new chapter. My life has always unfolded for me, so there is a sense of anticipation about what is next. I want to be more available for family. I haven’t been able to be present as much as I’d like to. I’m very confident that the school is in exceptionally good hands with Sam Beetge as Head of Primary School and Chantel Lourens as the new Principal. They are both strong women of faith and passionate about education,” she said.
Also read: St Martin’s Pre-Primary principal says farewell after three decades of service
Also on the horizon for Horsfall is the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain which she plans to walk with former educators next year.
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