OUTSPOKEN, outgoing and adventurous, Wayne Joubert, who has been appointed as the new head of leading Nelson Mandela Bay private school St Georges's College, has an expansive vision for the school and private education in the province.
Established in 2001, St George's College, affiliated to the St George's Pre-Primary and Preparatory schools, is one of Port Elizabeth's newest educational institutions. The school, in Park Drive, achieved a 100% Grade 12 pass rate last year. Charlo resident Joubert, 45, who is married with two adult children, takes over from Chris Erasmus, who has taken up a top post in Mpumalanga. Joubert spent 19 years at St Andrew's College in Grahamstown where he held a number of senior positions.
He has a BSc (hons) in zoology, a Higher Diploma in Education, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education and has completed the coursework towards a Master of Education degree (information and communications technology). He has studied for all his qualifications at Rhodes University. Speaking from his office yesterday, an enthusiastic Joubert — who also teaches life sciences — said his vision for the school was centred primarily around the 135 pupils there and the continued provision of high-quality education.
"My tasks are naturally also administrative and also concern the marketing and growth of the school itself. The school is at full capacity in terms of how many students we can physically accommodate, so part of my vision and tasks will also be to grow the school in terms of its capacity.
"To achieve this we are exploring models which will include the pre-primary and preparatory schools," he said. Joubert, who has a passionate interest in technology and its use in schools, said his wider vision included establishing relationships and partnerships, not only with other headmasters, but stakeholders in the wider community and local business and industry — the future employers of his pupils.
"While I have gained the majority of my experience at private institutions I have also served in public schools, one of which is Westering High School in Port Elizabeth. I have learnt much at the public schools. However, I have a passion for private school education and I envision being involved in the establishment of a number of private schools across the province."
Story by: Shaun Gillham gillhams@timesmedia.co.za
Source: The Herald