Letter from the Principal, Mr P.T. Vermaak.
My passion for education in general- and Nellie Swart in particular- has been shaped over the past 34 years. I was a learner at Laerskool Nellie Swart and returned to my Alma Mater in 1985 as a Science and Afrikaans teacher. I became an HOD and in 2003 I was appointed as Principal .
After having been seconded as Acting Principal to Northridge Primary in 2017, I returned to
Nellie Swart at the start of the 4th term of 2019.
In each of my roles, I have sought to ensure the realisation of our school’s vision, of providing an excellent futuristic education for each learner. We have made it our number one priority to provide exceptional, dynamic and cost-effective education to each and every learner in and outside our area . To fulfil this mission, all stakeholders have agreed upon employing Christian norms and values, good disciplinary practices, honesty, respect, compassion and teamwork. Most importantly, our goal is to ensure that all learners who enter here, feel happy and safe – both at work and play.
An excellent education is not possible without the collaboration of all stakeholders. Over the past three decades, we have come to know some of the amazing learners, parents and staff of Nellie Swart . We have experienced being part of the school’s history and have partaken of the school’s successes.
Our vision for the school, as already stated, is to embrace a global 21st century education and to provide our children with the necessary core values as well as the academic, technological and socialisation skills to be successful in an ever more challenging world. If we ignore the increasing demands of globalisation, we will fail our learners and if we ignore the importance of strong, focused leadership, our schools will fail.
Nellie Swart has a proud history and a strong presence in the community. All the stakeholders of our school intend to uphold its good name and to develop the school to meet the demands of a 21st century educational institution. Education is not only the responsibility of educators; it is so much more. It really does take a village to raise a child. We need the support of our parents, community and government to continue delivering excellence in education.
As educators, we effect eternity in what and how we teach the children. Our aim should be to teach our children how to think critically, to question all information and to make informed decisions with what they have learnt. They should always strive to do and be better and that, should they put in all the effort today, they will be rewarded abundantly, tomorrow.
Kind Regards.
Mr P.T. Vermaak
(School Principal)
