Laerskool Ermelo’s principal, Mr Roelof Ferreira, is retiring after 17 years.

Mr Ferreira, who grew up and matriculated in Vereeniging, said the decision to become a teacher was actually in the spur of the moment – during his last term in matric.

He went on to study at the Potchefstroom Onderwyskollege and completed his studies in 1980.

Mr Ferreira was then appointed in a permanent departmental post at Laerskool Pretoria-Oos, but in an unexpected turn of events, he had to complete his compulsory two-year military service and was sent to the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn instead.

He became a full Lieutenant in 1981.

“I wanted to complete my second year of military service in Pretoria, but they had other plans for me and I had to stay in Infantry School.

“Nevertheless, It was a year that I really enjoyed and I grew fond of Oudtshoorn and its surroundings,” Mr Ferreira said.

He eventually began teaching at Laerskool Pretoria-Oos in 1983, but he had the desire to one day become the principal of a school.

After applying for promotional posts, he was appointed Head of the Department Educational Guidance at Laerskool Ermelo in 1989.

Through hard work and perseverance, Mr Ferreira was ultimately appointed principal (post level three) of Laerskool Ermelo on 27 May 2004.

According to him, the biggest challenge he had – at that stage, was to initiate discipline and to motivate learners and teachers alike, to perform and strive for the highest possible standards.

Additionally, improving the school’s sport and overall facilities were also a priority.

He said a definite highlight of his career was when other schools began recognising their sports teams as competitors to be reckoned with.

“On the academic side, the school is doing their best to keep a very high standard of education.

“Discipline was and still remains of utmost importance to me because, without discipline, you cannot achieve good results,” Mr Ferreira said.

Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.