Farewell to popular principal Dell Pendock

Retired school principal Dell Pendock has left  a wonderful legacy at Port Shepstone Junior Primary (PSJP).

During her 18-year tenure as school principal, Mrs Pendock established an on-site Grade R facility, added a new building consisting of three classrooms, a computer centre and an awarding winning, well resourced library.

ALSO READ : PSJP makes the top six in SA

She also championed the building of the new ablution block on the ‘big field’.

“It’s been such an honour, privilege and blessing to lead PSJP,” she said. “I have been fortunate to be able to live my passion of teaching and education.”

Mrs Pendock’s colourful and rewarding 40-year career is filled with many happy memories, wonderful relationships and many friends.

She was involved in twinning and establishing a pen pal exchange with pupils and teachers at the Norra Skolan school in Oskarshamn.

She was invited to visit Sweden on a study tour representing education on two occasions. Mrs Pendock is extremely proud of the success of her past pupils.

“It is satisfying to know that the school has produced many successful adults, and that we contributed and helped mould citizens of good community consciousness.”

One of these successes is Dr Sithembile Ngidi. Dr Ngidi, the daughter of a nurse and a farmer from Gamalakhe in Port Shepstone, made the province proud when she graduated from the Colleges of Medicine South Africa as the province’s first-ever black female oncologist.

“And I recently had a phone call from a past pupil who was in grade 3 in 1998, to say he had just qualified as an actuary – of course I cried tears of joy. He is one of my ‘famous five’ who have studied and done well in finance, chemical engineering and law,” she said.

Her ‘famous five’ – Gift Buys, Bongamusa Ngesi, Thobani Khuzwayo, Peter Tumureebire and Mnqobi Machi have kept in touch over the years and hold a very special place in her heart.

Over the years, pupils had brought so much joy to her life, she said, whether it was stepping in as a ‘parent’ at a prize-giving, having a child run up to her at a supermarket to give her a big hug, a birthday wish or just visiting the school on holiday from living in Japan, Italy, New Zealand or the UK.

“I enjoyed interacting with the pupils, guiding them, listening to them and watching them develop and seeing the staff continue to grow in their profession and building relationship with parents over the years,” she said.

“I have worked with some excellent teachers and learnt something new, every day – that is what makes teaching exciting and rewarding. No two days are ever the same!”

Mrs Pendock said she will miss the energy, positivity, the vibe, the people, pupils, staff and the school library and gardens. Laughing, she added that she would however, not miss the meetings and of course the ringing of the school bell.

The school’s family fun walk/day has long been one of her favourite events on the school calendar.

“It was always a surprise for pupils and parents to see how the staff would come dressed. Not sure what the parents thought of us as clowns, smurfs or minions though,” she said.

One of the many highlights of her career was co-convening the Rotary Youth Leadership Course with past president Patrick Schultz for eight years where she helped develop 16 and 17 year old pupils from throughout KZN – as well as growing and developing herself.

Through Rotary she also played an instrumental role in establishing a local branch of Cavesham Education Institute which provides training for and empowerment of Early Childhood Development teachers.

She was recently presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Rotary Club of Port Shepstone. What are her plans for the future?

The mother of two grown daughters, Catherine and Tessa, said she will now enjoy spending more time caring for her 90-year-old mother and making many happy memories with her four grandchildren.

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