Bea has been with the school since 1993, first as a Grade 7 maths teacher, then as Departmental head before becoming Vice-principal four years ago. She says she is proud of the school, the parents, and the Governing body for the way they worked together after a difficult year.

“I’ve promised them that with team effort this school will become one of the top schools in the area. It has always been a good school, but we are working to make it even better,” she said with a smile.

Over the years she has established a special bond with the Governing body, the parents, and teachers. “There is mutual trust and support between us,” she said.

Born and raised in Vanderbijlpark, Bea completed her primary school years at Laerskool Totius. Her high school years were spent in Mpumalanga. After studying at the University of Pretoria, her very first teaching position brought her back to the Vaal Triangle.

She taught German and History for a year at Hoërskool Vanderbijlpark. She remembers working under the legendary Mr. Daan van Rooy at the time, and says, “He taught me how to be a teacher.”

Thereafter she had posts at General Smuts and at the former HTS Vereeniging before obtaining a permanent position at Pinedene. While the school takes up most of her time, Bea make sure that she has time in the afternoons to spend with her three-year-old granddaughter and the two of them visit Bea’s parents at least twice a week.

Bea’s father is a retired police colonel and very proud of his daughter. Apart from spending time with her family, she and her life partner is also part of the Vaal Old Wheels Club, where all the old cars (her favourite being a 1952 Ford bakkie) bring them total relaxation time at least once a month.