New deputy principal stands out

Laerskool Piet Hugo newly-appointed deputy principal Corlie Breedt (32) is actually an attorney but she says after being part of the legal fraternity for a year, she decided it wasn’t for her.
“So in May 2009 when I was offered the position of computer educator at Pietersburg English Medium Primary School (Pemps), I jumped at it. From there I never looked back,” she recalls.
She taught at Pemps until the end of 2016. At the beginning of last year she joined the Piet Hugo team as department head of the intersen and senior phases. Clearly she made a huge success of her job as just a year later she has been appointed deputy principal.
Along with her duties as deputy principal and her teaching obligations, she also has a husband, Erik, and two children, a daughter age five years and a son age three years to attend to. “I am enormously grateful to my husband for being so patient and supportive of me,” she adds.
Breedt describes her job as being to help the principal to manage the school. She shares principal Werner Christou’s vision for the school to develop and expand it. “I agree with his ideals and want to be a part of fulfilling them.”
She says one priority will always be to improve on the learners’ results each year. “Educators need to ensure that the children understand what they are learning. To this end, we (educators) are constantly challenged to find ways to cater for children who have differing levels of intellect. We need to work out study plans to accommodate everyone as well as keep them interested and stimulated. That way we can get the best out of them,” Breedt explains.
It is also imperative to ensure quality exam papers are presented. “This is quite a challenge in a dual medium school as the textbooks vary and often the content varies enormously. We need to present the same work to every learner, so use the different textbooks to summarise and create a balanced lesson or exam paper.”
The only way they as a school can reach their goals is to work as a team, she says. “Teamwork and keeping the personnel positive count for a lot. Then every personnel member gives more of themselves. As management we listen to every and seriously consider their input.”
Regarding sports and culture, she says they always strive to improve. “Soccer and hockey were introduced fairly recently, so we will be focusing on these sports this year. We also offer rugby, netball and athletics, and our learners take part in the Eisteddfod and Bosveld Arts Festival annually. This year we will also be holding a Revue.”
She also mentions that the department has done some renovations and built another two classrooms for them.
As far as challenges go, she says no one day in education is the same and each day presents its own challenges. “But I am ready for them,” she says positively.
Breedt’s strengths she lists as strong human relations, being able to perform well under pressure, good time management and conflict resoluttion. “My weak points are that I am fussy and a perfectionist, which irritates people sometimes. And I don’t always believe in myself enough.”
Her favourite quote is “Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” She says adults and children firstly need to accept themselves and then they will be able to accept others. “This can make a huge difference in school and community, for example at schools where there is bullying – the more accepting children are of themselves and each other the less bullying there will be.”
Breedt’s commitment and caring for the children, personnel and school shines from her like a beacon.
Referring to her appointment, Christou says he looks forward to having her on the team. “She has amazing potential and will grow with the school. Plus she is an excellent teacher!”

Story and photo: KAREN VENTER
>>karen@observer.co.za