Teachers in the province were honoured at the Western Cape Provincial Teaching Awards for 2024. Winners in 15 categories including Excellence in Primary School Teaching, Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (GET) and Best Teacher will represent the province at the National Teaching Awards in October.
There has never been a time when it has been more important to recognise what teachers have achieved despite the hardships, said Education MEC David Maynier at the 24th Western Cape Provincial Teaching Awards.
“It is wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate another year of teaching excellence in the Western Cape.
“It has been a very tough year for our schools, especially considering the natural disasters and terrible incidents of violence in and around our schools that have occurred,” he said.
“Julian Stander, deputy principal of Pineview Primary School, takes the motto of ‘enter to learn, leave to serve’ very seriously.
He became a teacher because of the difficulties children face, and says he is thankful for the ability to change the life of even one in a hundred learners,” Maynier said.
“Lara Such from Kleinmond Primary School says as a teacher, she takes on many roles: as parent, protector, social worker and disciplinarian. She teaches because she knows that by focusing on the needs of each learner, she is shaping the future of the country.”
Chief director of Districts Heather van Ster said as a child, her “angel teacher” made her feel safe, valued, respected and seen.
“She wanted to be just like her teacher and offer the same kind of care to children. These are powerful statements about what drives our teachers to take on the role despite the challenges,” Maynier said.
The 15 provincial winners will go on to represent the province at the National Teaching Awards in October.
The 2024 award winners are:
• Excellence in Grade R teaching: Heather van Staden, Irista Primary School, Sarepta, Kuils River.
• Excellence in primary school teaching: Christine Bester, Botrivier Primary School, Botrivier.
• Excellence in primary school leadership: Gershwin Kroukamp, Berzelia Primary School, Atlantis.
• Excellence in secondary school teaching: Liezel Reynolds, Hopefield High School, Hopefield.
• Excellence in secondary school leadership: Tiro Motaung, Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT.)
• Excellence in special needs teaching: Chadwin Bagley, Rusthof School, Rusthof, Strand.
• Excellence in teaching life skills (Grades 1-6): Dorothy Jooste, Highbury Primary School, Highbury, Kuils River.
• Excellence in special needs school leadership: Irma Mentoor, Ligstraal School, Paarl-East.
• Excellence in teaching maths (GET): Ethon Leigh Alexander, Fraaisig Primary School, Knysna.
• Excellence in teaching maths (FET): Dillon Seals, Apex High School, Blue Downs, Eerste River.
• Excellence in teaching natural sciences: Ziyaad Noordien, West End Primary School, Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain.
• Excellence in teaching physical sciences (FET): Bernice van Blerk, Vredenberg High School, Vredenberg.
• Excellence in technology-enhanced teaching and learning – Lalindei Botha, La Rochelle Girls’ Primary School, Paarl.
• Best Teacher Award: Llewellyn van der Ross, Tuscany Glen Primary School, Tuscany Glen, Eerste River.
• Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award: Derek Swart, Paarl Boys’ High School, Paarl.
Cape Times
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