The West Coast Education District National Teaching Awards are a highlight for many teachers in the region. This prestigious event took place on Wednesday 18 June in Wellington. This awards evening honours all the hard work and dedication teachers put in every day.
According to Mandlenkosi Sixolo, from St Helena Bay Primary School and winner in the Excellence in Primary School Teaching category, winning the award means the world to him.
“It is a testimony for greatness that comes with facilitating the intellect and talent of young leaders. I never expected winning in my category as we were many excellent teachers. When my name was called, I jumped up and rejoiced in disbelief. To be seen and recognised by the district was a phenomenal moment in my life. It’s proof that with faith it’s possible. And that will motivate more generations that I will come across.”
Mariëtte Koen, principal of Piketberg High School and winner of the Excellence in Secondary School Leadership category, said the award is truly like the proverbial feather in her cap. “It was a great honour to be nominated for the award by our circuit office manager, Ulande Europa. I am in the privileged position that my work is not just a job, but my passion. The award confirms that my passion is noticed and recognised, that my hard work is rewarded. Of course it is not every day that you live out your passion to get recognition for it, so the award was not something I expected.
Second runner-up in Excellence in Secondary School Teaching, Aneën Burger shared that her school nominated her for the award. “Although I was very grateful for the recognition, I did not expect to be named the district’s second runner-up. I prefer to work behind the scenes and therefore found the submission process a great challenge. Since I work with extremely capable and dedicated colleagues on a daily basis, I feel truly blessed to receive this honour. I know I could not have done it without the grace and guidance of my Heavenly Father.”
Here are the winners and runners up in their categories:
Excellence in Primary School Teaching:
Mandlenkosi Sixolo, winner (St. Helena Bay Primary School)
Karien Rossouw, first runner-up (Eendekuil Primary School)
Samantha Erasmus, second runner-up (HP Williams Primary School)
Excellence in Secondary School Teaching:
Ané Spies, winner (Swartland High School)
Hermien Tallie, first runner-up (Hopefield High School)
Aneën Burger, second runner-up (Vredenburg High School)
Excellence in Teaching Grade R:
Magdaleen Baard, winner (Klawer Primary School)
Elizma de Jongh, first runner-up (PW de Bruin Primary School)
Vuyokazi Ngcobozi, second runner-up (Middlepos Primary School)
Excellence in Teaching Mathematics GET:
Renier Sieser, winner (Riebeeck West Primary School)
Tarryn Jordaan, first runner-up (HP Williams Primary School)
Excellence in Teaching Natural Sciences:
Lauren Uren, winner (Riebeeck West Primary School)
Excellence in Technology – Enhanced Teaching and Learning:
Francel du Preez, winner (Vredendal-Noord Primary School)
Jusrin Markus, first runner-up (St. Thomas Primary School)
Kelvin-Jean Fortuin, second runner-up (Wesbank Secondary School)
Excellence in Primary School Leadership:
Jolene du Preez, winner (Vredendal-Noord Primary School)
Annemarie Duvenhage, first runner-up (Anne Pienaar Gedenk Primary School)
Augustinus Newman, second runner- up (Vergenoeg RK Primary School)
Excellence in Secondary School Leadership:
Mariëtte Koen winner (Piketberg High School),
Excellence in Special Needs Leadership:
Robert van Rooyen, winner (Graafwater Special School)
Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award:
Jimmy Williams (St Helena Bay Primary School)
National Best Teacher Award:
Marika Williams (Clanwilliam Secondary School).
