Principal Joe Venter’s vast impact will not be forgotten
He was then called upon to establish Merlewood Secondary School in 2004 and was appointed principal.
Merlewood Secondary School principal, Joe Venter died in late December last year.
He was the head of the school from its beginning and played a key role in building it up to the stature it holds today.
Joe was born on November 25 in 1961.
He completed his high school education at Harding Secondary School, and proceeded to complete his teacher’s training at Bechet College of Education in Durban.
His initial appointment as a teacher took place at Merlewood Primary in 1983. He proved himself over the years and in 2001 was appointed departmental head.
He was then called upon to establish Merlewood Secondary School in 2004 and was appointed principal.
Joe founded the school with the assistance of three staff members drawn from surrounding schools.
His commitment and persistence in ensuring that a fully functionable and viable school was available to the surrounding community resulted in the school’s infrastructure being upgraded and extended.
His commitment to education resulted in learners from the informal settlement and settlements of both Mkholombe and Merlewood receiving high standards of education.
His interventions ensured it was declared a ‘no fee’ school as it serviced indigent communities.
He pursued and was successful in obtaining the National School Nutrition Programme for the school.
Many learners from indigent homes received a meal at school.
Joe was also actively involved in sport in his earlier days.
He was cherished and respected by his peers and learners.
His death will be felt for years to come, but his contributions to the community and schools he served will never be forgotten.
The most cruel blow surely is the fact that Joe died one month before he was due to retire.
(Tribute by Ronald Wood, Chief Education Specialist.)
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