Joanne Glendinning’s new appointment as headmistress of Auckland Park Preparatory School (APPS) is one she describes as both an honour and a privilege – one that will see her incorporate three core principles: collaboration, care, and community.

She has been in education for more than 30 years, with her first year of teaching in 1994. Since then, she has taught in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States.

Teaching, she said, had always suited her: “The variety of your day, that every day is different with so much complexity, has just always interested me. This, along with the love of children.”

Read more: Civilian Crime Intelligence Network recognises SCP Security as one of Gauteng’s top companies

While studying, she had the choice between occupational therapy (OT) and teaching, but ultimately chose the classroom.

“While I love the work that OTs do, I much prefer a class dynamic to a one-on-one.”

Becoming a principal was never quite her intention. She attributed her growth in the field, in part, to her personality – one that naturally shares ideas, steps up, and at times leads without a title.

These traits have seen Glendinning offered opportunities and invited into leadership roles. But, as she points out, there comes a time when big roles become the next step, even though she would have been quite happy to continue her role as deputy head of junior school and academics at Pridwin Preparatory School.

Being a principal, more specifically, one at APPS, is a role that resonates with her because of the type of school it is: a stand-alone preparatory school. She believes deeply in the values of a prep school.

She also feels that a traditional Christian school, one that embraces the values of character, culture, care, and spirituality regardless of religion, balanced with innovation and teaching, is something that truly appeals to her.

Having spent years at Pridwin, an all-boys school, and now at APPS, an all-girls school, the shift is quite apparent and presents a small learning curve. However, before her time at Pridwin, she taught at co-ed schools.

“Children are changing, and girls are probably a little bit different alone than they are in a mixed classroom, but I believe that children are as different from each other as they are from the opposite sex. So it is important we get to know everybody for who they are, regardless of gender.”

Also read: Young scientists converge at Wits Flower Hall for the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists

Having been at the school for less than a month, Glendinning is currently in her ‘looking and learning’ phase. She acknowledges that for 104 years, people have poured care and thought into how things operate at the school.

“Rather than have knee-jerk reactions to things that may not need fixing, I am going to take my time and really get to know the status quo and then make an intentional plan going forward.”

Even so, her long-term goal is a school of excellence, where the girls are academically stretched, but also supported and nurtured so they have the confidence to sit with the discomfort of being stretched.

In her short time so far, parents have welcomed her warmly, the girls have sent her lovely letters, and she has already begun making connections with the staff, people she not only looks forward to working with but believes will be key in bringing to life the world-class education she dreams of.

When learners engage, she hopes that they feel known and seen for who they are.

“Not only that I see them for who they are, but I like who they are, and they must also feel fun.”

She adds that she has quite a dry sense of humour and believes schools should be a little bit playful. She plans to use that humour to connect with the girls.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates