Beacon Hill High School principal, Gregory Kannemeyer, received a bronze award at the annual provincial teaching awards for an inspirational and comprehensive after-school programme.
In its third year of being presented, the leadership excellence in after-school programming award aims to celebrate principals who recognise this, and who are actively building comprehensive after-school programmes.
These ideally include a mix of sport, arts and cultural, academic support and life skills programmes creating diverse opportunities for every type of pupil.
The awards were given in the hope that recipients’ work inspire more schools to extend their offerings and start after-school programmes.
According to the citation of the award, much of a child’s education happens in the home, through reading books, on trips to museums and galleries or in the outdoors.
“We did not want an award for anything but rather for our pupils and community to excel,” said Mr Kannemeyer. “The pupils receive many opportunities from the initiative and form great relationships with the community as these programmes are not only for our pupils but for the young people of the community as well.
“The pupils who are part of this programme excel in their academics. They also receive certificates for some of the programmes they attend. As long as the community benefits from this, they will do well in the future.”
More than two-thirds of pupils in the province come from impoverished backgrounds and often cannot access these experiences.
This opportunity gap is equal to three years of missed education by the time a child reaches high school. Extending school to include after-school activities is a key lever to closing the opportunity and educational gap and developing and igniting a love of learning.
The awards evening acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of teachers who excel, often under difficult circumstances. They provide a crucial service to pupils, many who live in poor communities.
Mr Kannemeyer received his award on Friday November 2.
The provincial winners will attend the National Teaching Awards in February next year.