Roodepark School is entering a new era after the appointment of Mornè Opperman as its new deputy principal.

Morné has been a teacher at the school since 2017, having formerly worked at Hoërskool Brits.

“I’ve never even been in a big town like Roodepoort before I took this post,” he says, admitting that he was quite nervous about his move to the ‘big city’.

“I grew up in Brits and attended school there, so it was quite an adjustment for me.”

He admits that the prospect of working at a school for learners with special education needs (LSEN) was quite daunting initially, as he was not sure what to expect.

“My first year was a massive learning curve, and I probably made every mistake in the book, but today, I won’t trade what I do for anything. I love these learners and this school.

“I’ve learned how to bond with them, and it is a privilege for me to make a tangible difference in the lives and education of the learners.”

Morné, an avid sports fan, became involved with Gauteng Province’s LSEN Mild Intellectual Disability (MID) Sport Schools soon after his appointment, and has since risen to chairperson.

He passionately champions sports, and Roodepark School regularly competes at or hosts other LSEN schools for sports tournaments.

He was promoted to head of department at the school in 2024, and with the retirement of the school’s longtime principal, Renè van der Merwe, last year, was promoted to deputy principal.

“I honestly don’t think there is much I want to change at the school,” he says. “Roodepark School is one of, if not the best-run, school in the district.

“My goal is to grow what we have already built and help ensure the school stays on the right path.

“We already had all the correct structures in place, both academically and at sport level.

“Our learners are exposed to sports at a provincial level, and we are doing well.”