21 September 2007
Free State Department of Education has the pleasure of announcing the names
of teachers and principals who have received the National Teaching Provincial
Awards for 2007. The awards were presented at a prestigious event held at the
Floreat Hall of the Braam Fischer Building in Bloemfontein on Thursday evening,
20 September 2007.
The Free State awards form part of a national initiative to acknowledge
excellence in teaching. The Free State Department of Education nominated the
provincial winners to the National Department of Education in Pretoria for the
eighth National Teaching Awards to be announced in November 2007.
The Free State Department of Education presented awards for excellence to
the following:
* Excellence in Primary School Teaching
* Excellence in Secondary School Teaching
* Excellence in Primary School Leadership
* Excellence in Secondary School Leadership
* Excellence in Early Childhood Development
* Excellence in Inclusive Education and Special Needs Teaching
* Excellence in Adult Education and Training
* Lifetime Achievement Award
The key objectives of the awards:
* recognise and promote excellence in teaching
* honour dedicated, creative and effective teachers
* encourage best practices in schools
* boost teacher morale
* afford South Africans the opportunity to publicly say thank you to
outstanding teachers.
The presentation of the National Teaching Awards for the Free State followed
a rigorous selection process in the province's five districts. The districts
then submitted winners for assessment for the provincial awards. The
adjudicators for the provincial awards included retired educationists,
representatives of teacher unions and school governing bodies.
In presenting the Acting MEC, the Superintendent-General for Education, Mr
Mafu Rakometsi, highlighted the importance of teachers to society.
"Teaching is a mother of all professions. Teaching is a delicate calling.
Teaching is a sacred calling. Teachers have a mammoth task of moulding young
lives and young minds preparing them for the real world. They are like potters
and the children they mould are like clay."
In his keynote address, the Acting MEC for Education, Mr Tate Makgoe, said
"despite challenging conditions under which the teachers work, they have
dedicated their lives to serving the nation and young people, so that they may
achieve the vision of providing quality life long education and training
leading to a prosperous and caring society for all.
We are honouring teachers because we are aware of the fact that they are the
agents of change not only in the classrooms but also in the wider community, as
they shape the outlook of our children. In that way, they are making a direct
contribution to the vital task of nation building and national
reconciliation."
"Today we celebrate the achievements of our teachers not only because of
their competence in their fields, or how well they teach and transmit this
knowledge to their learners, but also because of their role as activists in
community development and as thinkers who encourage learners to embrace human
and democratic values."
MEC Makgoe reiterated the important role that parents and families have to
play in the future of their children. He emphasised that education is a
collective effort by all stakeholders and role-players.
He congratulated the nominees and eventual winners for their selfless
dedication and commitment in executing their duties for the benefit of children
and their communities.
"The Free State Department of Education and the province at large rejoice
with you for the excellent contribution that you have made to the teaching
profession and to our societal development. The nation is proud of you. Keep up
the excellent work," he concluded.
The following are the motivations received for those who won the awards:
1. Excellence in Primary School Teaching: Mr Johan van Niekerk, Eben Donges
Primary, Lejweleputswa District.
Johan is a very passionate and hard working teacher that will give
everything to make a success of his career. He is the Head of Department of
academics at his school. Johan is also involved in rugby coaching and is the
athletics organiser at school level as well as at district level. He strives to
be involved in the community and has completed the 'Valued Citizen' course. He
is regularly organising educational tours for learners. Johan also offers
assistance to teachers from neighbouring schools. He often assists Learning
Facilitators as presenter in meetings and workshops in the Lejweleputswa
District. He has good interpersonal relationships and he always goes an extra
mile for his learners.
2. Excellence in Secondary School Teaching: Mr Motsienyane Lethema â
Lekhulong Secondary School, Motheo District.
This teacher's vast experience in Mathematics and Physical Science has
attracted various prestigious awards in a career that has lasted 19 colourful
years. Among his awards, Motsienyane has obtained the provincial Telkom Maths
and Science Teacher of the Year award in 2003; the national winner of the Engen
"my best lesson award" in 2006. With an enviable track record in excellent
matric results, Motsienyane also takes part in various Maths and Science forums
such as the Mark Shuttleworth Educators Cluster and the provincial interim
committee of South African Association of Science and Technology Educators. He
has good interpersonal relationships and he always goes an extra mile for his
learners.
3. Excellence in Primary School Leadership: Mr Vangeli Ntseto, Ihobe
Intermediate School, Motheo District.
Vangeli believes in building the capacity of his management team by
appropriately delegating the tasks to them. He always displays invitational
leadership skills and he fulfils his leadership task in a transparent and
democratic manner. As a visionary leader, Vangeli invests a lot in his
educators, for example, about 99% of the teaching staff is computer literate as
a result of his staff development programme. Ihobe Intermediate School has,
through the leadership of Vangeli, managed to start and facilitate several
projects such as the vegetable garden project, the nutrition project, the
observation of national holidays, etc. The school has also managed to form
partnerships with other learning institutions such as Grey College and the
University of the Free State.
4. Excellence in Secondary School Leadership: Mr Stephanus Cloete, Harmony
High School, Lejweleputswa District.
A lifelong learner at heart, Stephanus continues to attend leadership
courses in order to stay in the forefront of changes in education and
leadership. Since his appointment as principal of Harmony High School,
Stephanus has seen continuous growth in learner numbers to appoint where the
school building reached full learner capacity in 2004. Through his leadership,
Harmony High School is currently a fully integrated school which continues to
produce good results. Due to his leadership qualities, Stephanus was appointed
as one of the 13 mentors in the Holistic Intervention Programme. This resulted
in the dramatic improvement of results at the schools he was mentoring.
Stephanus is also actively involved in principal's forums.
5. Excellence in Early Childhood Development (ECD): Mrs Sophia Terblans,
Lakeview Primary School, Lejweleputswa District.
Sophia is a passionate educator who prides herself in the abilities of her
learners. To make learning interesting she makes sure that her classroom is
filled with colourful information like pictures, posters, flashcards, etc. She
is involved with her learners and has acquainted herself with each of their
home circumstances. She is also involved in her school's extra curricular
activities.
With great success she has been the head co-ordinator of netball,
mini-netball and mini-cricket teams. Culturally, she is in charge of the Junior
Choir and her learners regularly take part in various Art festivals. As part of
her responsibilities at school, Selinah is also a coach of long jump and her
efforts in this area have produced some capable athletes.
6. Excellence in Inclusive Education and Special Needs Teaching: Mrs Johanna
Kruger, PT Sanders Intermediate School, Xhariep District.
Since she started working at PT Sanders, Johanna has demonstrated her
ability to work with learners who experience barriers in learning. After
conducting a special needs test on all learners at the school, she identified
eighty learners who needed special attention. Through her influence, the school
enlisted the services of one full time remedial teacher and two full time
inclusive education teachers. This means that learners with special needs
suddenly got the help they needed on levels they could understand. Johanna also
supervises certain extra-curricular activities such as knitting and embroidery.
She has also helped to educate her colleagues in Information and Communication
Technology and runs the school's monthly newsletter.
7. Excellence in Adult Basic Education and Training: Mr Adam Moema,
Vukuzenzele Adult Learning Centre, Lejweleputswa District.
Adam is the centre manager at Vukuzenzele Adult Learning Centre. He has
shown a great deal of fervour in working with his colleagues as part of a team.
Adam has also managed to duplicate his leadership skills by producing other
centre managers. He is very skilful in problem solving, conflict resolution and
learner motivation. As part of his management strategy, the centre has embarked
on a programme called "learner custodian" which means that each educator is
assigned no less than 13 learners for individual attention. Through his
leadership, the centre has championed the 'moqoqopelo' dance competition which
was recently held in Parys. The centre also provides opportunities for learners
to take part in soccer, drama, choir and HIV and AIDS committee.
8. Lifetime Achievement Award: Mrs Martha Tucker, Welkom Preparatory School,
Lejweleputswa District.
Martha has proven her worth as a member of the School Management Team and as
Head of Grade seven and English. She is currently responsible for the teaching
of English, Arts and Culture and Life Orientation in Grades six and seven where
she does more than her share. Martha is in charge of the school's annual
Olympiads, English Speech Competition, Readathon Programme, English Eisteddfod
and Drama group where she has shown an organisational flair and ability to
elicit enthusiasm second to none. She is also responsible for the development
of Learning Programmes, Work Schedules and Lesson Plans in various Learning
Areas.
As am member of the School Management Team, Martha controls the work of
educators and learners, examination papers as well as memoranda. She provides
guidance to inexperienced staff members to ensure that a high standard of work
is being maintained.
Enquiries:
Sol Magalefa
Tel: 051 404 8314
Cell: 082 573 3404
Fax: 051 404 8082
Issued by: Department of Education, Free State Provincial Government
21 September 2007
