Noorderland’s new principal to focus on 100% matric pass rate

Noorderland High School’s former acting principal Thabo Ratema was appointed permanently as principal from 1 February and has many plans for the school. Ratema started working at Noorderland as head of department of commercial subjects on 1 April 2007. He was appointed as acting principal at the beginning of last year and says he looks …

March 8, 2018

2 minutes read

Noorderland High School’s former acting principal Thabo Ratema was appointed permanently as principal from 1 February and has many plans for the school.
Ratema started working at Noorderland as head of department of commercial subjects on
1 April 2007.
He was appointed as acting principal at the beginning of last year and says he looks forward to the challenge of being principal in a permanent capacity.
“My focus this year will be on achieving a 100% matric pass rate, so academics will be in the spotlight. We are planning various study camps including Easter, winter and spring during which the Grade 12s will stay on the premises in the hostel to ensure they have no distractions from their studies,” he said.
Ratema added that Grades 8 to 11 extra Mathematics classes are also in the pipeline. Currently all Grade 12s attend extra afternoon classes from Mondays to Thursdays.
Asked about the main challenges he faces, he laughed confidently and said “There are no insurmountable challenges facing us right now. We are a well-balanced, multi-nation team and function like a family”.
His future plans entail ensuring that the hostels on the property are fully utilised so that learners can live there during school time and be able to study without any distractions that might interfere were they living at home.
Ratema thanked the school governing body for putting their trust in him. “It is an honour that they have put their trust in me to take care of their children. While their children are at school I will be the parent in their absence.” He also thanked all the personnel at the school for their hard work and dedication.
“And last but definitely not least, my thanks goes to the learners because without them I wouldn’t have a school to run.”
He also welcomed Shirley Matji as his right hand in her capacity as newly-appointed deputy principal and said he knows she will add more value to the team.
Matji was previously an educator in Mookgophong and besides being deputy principal also teaches Grade 9 English, Sepedi and economic management sciences. She said she is delighted to be on board the Noorderland team and looks forward to the year ahead.