Charles van Vuuren is retiring from his position as school principal at Standerton Primary School after 40 years of teaching and raising the next generation.

Van Vuuren was born and raised in Standerton. He matriculated at Standerton High School in 1979 and obtained his degree in education through Goudstad Onderwys College.

Van Vuuren decided to study education late in his matric year, after one of his friends convinced him to study teaching with him.

“In the end, my friend did not study education, but I continued with my studies and have not regretted it for one day,” said Van Vuuren.

He started his journey at SPS in 1986 as a mathematics teacher and has been at the school since then. He became a department head in 1989 and the school’s principal in 2007.

During his time at SPS, he enjoyed the school’s sports scene. He especially loved watching the learners play cricket. Many sports stars walked the halls of SPS during his time as principal, including David Wiese, Gary van Aswegen, Mfundo Ndlovu, and JC Ritchie.

He said the most important thing when running a primary school is discipline.

“Children need to learn at a young age that respect is earned,” said Van Vuuren.

He believes that having fewer children in the classes fosters a more caring environment and allows them to achieve more in their classrooms.

Though sport helps develop children socially, he believes academics play the most important role in a child’s life. Though Van Vuuren has a deep love for the school and learners he cares for, he looks forward to his retirement. He plans to use this time to further live out his passion for birds.

Van Vuuren owns a farm outside Standerton where he keeps nearly 25 species of exotic birds, almost 50 species of indigenous birds, and 10 different colours of show chickens.

He acquired his farm in 2000 and has since bred several varieties of birds. According to Van Vuuren, birds of the same breed can have different variations.

He looks forward to breeding the blue-yellow partridge and the blue-silver partridge. In his free time, Van Vuuren also enjoys welding and making gates with intricate patterns. He also plans to keep fit by continuing to exercise for as long as possible.

“My 40 years at SPS did not feel like work. I enjoyed every moment, and this school became my family,” said Van Vuuren.

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