Getting to know Creative Academy’s principals

Creative Academy recently appointed a new principal at one of its campuses in Jackson Street.

The school now has four principals who are passionate about children. Each principal is a piece of the success puzzle of the school.

With a collective experience of 66 years between these four principals, you can know that your child is in safe hands.

The Alberton Record visited the principals to find out more about their lives and careers.

Tyla-Jade Botha (26)

She was born and bred in Brackenhurst and lives in Suideroord. Tyla-Jade has been in the industry for the last eight years. Her career began as a teacher assistant in 2015. She worked her way up as a teacher in a prestigious private school.

She is the principal of the school of excellence at 80 Jackson Street.

“Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the future. It has always been a passion of mine to work with children and to teach. Being able to mentor, lead and equip other teachers to change the world one child at a time is my dream job,” she said.

The best part about her job is seeing the individual growth and development of each child, from the beginning to the end of each year.

“I love celebrating the small daily accomplishments of our children.”

The challenge she faced was creating a healthy work-life balance because when it comes to children your job is never done and there is always something more to be done. Her goal is to create an environment where children and staff thrive holistically according to their strengths and abilities.

“As a principal, I am looking forward to building relationships with each child and their families,” she said.

In her spare time, she serves at the Bridge Church and enjoys travelling to the bushveld or the coast with her husband.

Her hobbies include scrapbooking and completing DIY projects.

In life, her biggest inspiration is her parents and her husband. “My parents taught me that success is not final, failure is not fatal and it is the courage to continue that counts.

“My husband, who was terminally ill with cancer, taught me the five-by-five rule, which is don’t spend more than five minutes being upset if it won’t matter in five years.”

Tarryn Botha (39)

Tarryn is the principal at the preschool and baby centre at 83 Jackson Street and she has been in the industry for the last 23 years.

“I originally wanted to do cosmetology, or beauty as it was called back then. My fate was sealed when my late sister had my niece because I knew then that I wanted to work with children. I studied educare whilst working and I have never looked back since,” she said.

The best part of her job is the daily interaction with children and parents and making a small difference in their lives. When asked about her challenges in her job she replied: “Challenges? What is that? Juggling the many hats that we as principals wear and staying on top of things and staying current.”

Tarryn’s career started as an assistant and she worked her way up in the industry.

The principal from Robertsham said that her goal is to maintain and uphold the standards of their wonderful school and the brand that Creative Academy stands for. “To keep our ethics, morals and values as high as possible.”

Being a principal means being that person everyone feels they can come to for support or help.

“I am an open book and have an open relationship with all my parents and children. Keeping communication channels open and understanding everyone’s needs is important to me.”

On a personal note, Tarryn was born in the West Rand and grew up in many places as she moved from town-to-town with her family. She is married to her best friend, Adrian, and they have known each other for nearly 17 years.

“Unfortunately I am unable to have children, but I have been a mom to plenty over the years,” she said.

She adores her three fur babies, Rogue, Odin and Saige. “They are my pride and joy.”

Tarryn’s hobbies include dog training, knitting, painting and arts and crafts.

Jenna Axel, the owner of Creative Academy, inspires her as she always makes things look effortless and gets things done. “Her energy is just next level and she allows us to be who God intended us to be in and around her and our schools,” Taryn explained.

Sara Gomes (43)

The principal of the preschool and baby centre located at 19 Hennie Alberts Street has been with the school since November 2020.

Sara’s passion for educare started at a young age and it has always been something she wanted to do. She has been a teacher since 2000.

“The children are always the most rewarding part of my job. I often tell my teachers that if we could all be like our children, we would all have perfect days,” she said.

“To teach is to mould little minds and to touch little hearts. Being able to build a positive work environment for my teachers adds to the positivity of my job.”

There are many challenges a principal faces, but Sara said it is all about how you see the challenges that determine your outlook on any situation.

“Parent issues are a tricky one. Luckily, we really don’t have many, but dealing with them in a sensitive and understanding manner is key.”

Sara’s career highlight was when she had the opportunity to work in the special needs sector.

Her goal as principal is to continue creating a safe, stimulating and holistic learning environment for all children.

“To continue the positive and trusting relationship we have with our parents.” Another goal for her is to maintain a positive and happy working environment for her staff members.

Sara was born in Portugal and moved to South Africa in 1982 when she was three years old. She has been living in the Randhart area for the last nine years.

She and her husband, Hugo, have been married for 20 years and they have two children. They are also her inspiration in life.

“My husband and children inspire me to always do better and I am who I am thanks to them. Without them, my life would be meaningless.”

In her spare time, she enjoys painting and she also watches Netflix. “I am also a keen reader.”

If Sara could change one thing in the world it would be animal abuse laws. “I would make them as important as laws that protect us as humans. Animals don’t have a voice and we need to be their voice. People who abuse animals should be seriously punished,” she said.

Simone Goosen (32)

Creative Academy has been her home for five and a half years, but she has been in the teaching industry for 13 years. In her previous position at Laerskool Orion, she taught Grade One for more than four years.
Today she is the principal of the preparatory school at 81 Jackson Street.

“I fell in love with the education industry and felt the need to be part of the development of children,” said Simone.

One of her favourite parts of her job is seeing the children greet her with a big smile and hug. “I just feel joyous when I think of it,” she said. Her biggest challenge as a principal is to reach parents’ expectations and to be realistic when doing that.

As a principal, it is her responsibility to create a happy and comfortable learning environment.

“My goal is to keep the children, their parents and my staff happy and keep the school growing and evolving. The parents need to know that they can always contact her and speak to her no matter what.”

She looks forward to moving her part of the school to 82 Jackson Street in the near future as they have outgrown the current facility.

“I look forward to a bigger playground and new classrooms. This is very exciting to me.”

Simone shared the advice she would like to give all parents: “Stop putting pressure on your children. Let them grow and develop at their own pace and let them be children. The toddler or child in your life will soon become an adult. Enjoy every moment with them.”

She is married to her best friend Kevin Goosen and they have three children. In her free time, she runs Lily Preemie, which provides necessities to parents of premature babies. Having had a premature baby herself, this lies close to her heart.

“We support other small businesses by getting them on board to promote their products. We donate preemie must-haves to a variety of hospitals in our country.

“With a lovely team of knitters and crochet ladies who enjoy making beautiful items for preemies. I sell some items to cover the expenses for the wool and cotton that I buy. Some of the small businesses we support have even added preemie goods to their catalogue, which in return boosts their business,” she explained.

Art and crafts are also her passions, and she enjoys crocheting. As a child, Simone, who was born in Johannesburg, moved around a great deal.

She resides in Drumblade on a small farm. Simone and her family have a large number of farm animals they adore and care for. She is most inspired by her mother, who has always stood up for her and her family. “She just made things work and she has done so much for me, and I am who I am today because of the lessons she has taught me.”

Rude and bad people also motivate her to not be like them.

In her opinion, if she could change one thing in the world, it would be to educate people that the sun is big enough for everyone to enjoy. “Allow the sun to shine over everyone, and we should compliment each other more.”