A historic moment for Laerskool President Pretorius

When she first set foot in Laerskool President Pretorius 37 years ago, Vanessa Stewart never imagined that she would one day be the school principal.

“I grew from an uncertain and hopeful new teacher into the person I am today. That person is the first female principal in the 125-year history of Laerskool President Pretorius, and what a journey it has been!” she said.

Stewart started as a foundation-phase teacher at the school and worked her way up to being the departmental head of the Foundation Phase in 2016. With her sons having attended the school, it was Stewart’s responsibility to ensure that the Foundation Phase had all the necessary resources available. She kept up to date with the latest developments by setting an example. She attended all the workshops she could to learn new and fun ways of improving education and bettering the holistic learning of the phase and the appropriate discipline methods.

Just three years after landing the position of departmental head, Stewart once again proved that she was a force to be reckoned with and was promoted to deputy principal. “A few months after our principal resigned, I was placed in the position of acting principal,” she said. “I knew the honour this role held, and I took all the responsibility bestowed upon me very seriously,” she added.

Stewart says that during this role, she improved the school’s infrastructure, equipment, and facilities and added additional classes with the help of the Department of Education. She noted that, in the role of an acting principal, it was important for her to make the educators feel more visible, heard and valued. “Alone, we do so little but together we can achieve much. I wanted us to achieve the best,” she said.

Much to Stewart’s delight, together, they did achieve the best. On Monday, 10 October 2022, she received the magnificent news that she, out of all the potential candidates, had been chosen to be the principal of Laerskool President Pretorius. “It was a 10/10 day,” she exclaimed.

“This is an incredible honour. I am humbled and take the mantle upon myself with grace and dignity. I could not have done it without the assistance of the school governing body, senior management team, the Department of Education, my dear family and friends, and last, but certainly not least, my incredibly talented, dedicated and brilliant staff at Laerskool President Pretorius,” she said.

As the principal of Laerskool President Pretorius, Stewart truly believes that she has the most fantastic staff. “Thanks to them and their belief in me and willingness, I sit in this position of authority. I will strive to give only my best and take Laerskool President Pretorius to new heights,” she said proudly.