Local principal credits mentorship for teaching her to go all out for her learners
Aphane says she’s especially pleased with how the programme has helped with what she defines as a “lack of teamwork among the staff members”.
An Atteridgeville school principal says that her work on a school leadership programme is bearing fruit for her learners.
Matseke primary school principal Ivy Aphane is part of Citizen Leader Lab, formerly Symphonia for South Africa, a school leadership programme that pairs principals with business leaders on a 12-month leadership mentorship programme.
The business leaders get to impart the knowledge and expertise gained in the corporate world to the principals and also apply it to a school setting.
Aphane is being mentored by Gaongalelwe Dire, a finance manager at Bestmed medical scheme.
She says she’s especially pleased with how the programme has helped what she defines as a “lack of teamwork among staff”.
“I see the staff embracing our school’s motto of ‘Unity is Strength’ and working together to achieve our common goals. Their participation in extra and co-curricular school activities has improved.
“Throughout the programme, Gaongalelwe has been my guide on how to do this. She has helped me to understand what it means to work interdependently,’’ says Aphane.
The leadership programme believes that through these partnerships, principals gain the skills needed to lead change in their schools.
Business leaders also get to polish their own leadership skills within a complex and challenging environment.
Atteridgeville is known for various social ills such as poverty, omnipresent violence, substance abuse and xenophobia.
Aphane says the programme assisted in paving a way for dealing with such issues in Matseke.
“I am now able to think outside the box whenever we are facing a challenge. I can come up with solutions instead of doing nothing,” Aphane continues.
Matseke now operates two food gardens, thanks to sponsorships Aphane secured.
Many of Matseke learners were affected by floods in Atteridgeville and consequently lost their uniforms so Aphane reached out to the school’s alumni to ask for help in a heartfelt letter.
“I wasn’t content with the situation. I decided to do something about it.
“We received such a positive response with our alumni providing 5 000 school uniforms. Four of the students were given new school uniforms. The school also received 50 pairs of school shoes. I credit this success to the skills and knowledge I learnt on the programme,’’ Aphane concludes.
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