ANNUAL MAGAZINE - Dominican Convent School

uncommon leadership
FROM THE HEAD OF HIGH SCHOOL
Meeting the
Challenges of Change
This year has been pivotal for the High School
in more ways than one. We implemented the
Curriculum Assessment Policy in Grade 10. It
is part of the National Curriculum Statement
that was reviewed to improve the implementation of
the curriculum. This brought into focus the importance
of successful curriculum delivery, and the impact
teachers have on the teaching and learning process.
Some new curriculum developments are driven by the postmodernist
theory which recognises the increasingly fractured
nature of society, and the limitations of science to provide
solutions to some of the issues of our time, such as the
sustainability of the planet, alleviation of poverty and social
cohesion. There is furthermore recognition that diversity and
subjectivity are important. Education must move to adapt
to these challenges due to changes in the nature of work,
globalisation, the information revolution and the increasingly
social nature of contemporary challenges. Educational
performance is a social project and this may lead to a more
humanist approach. Education needs to meet the needs of a new
generation, a generation that will have to adapt to the demands
of the 21st century, which will require a range of skills and
knowledge to be competitive.
This year the “born frees” complete their school career and
will enter the challenging world of work or tertiary study.
As a group they have demonstrated different qualities from
their predecessors, and have impressed with their emotional
intelligence and level of consciousness. Their grasp of technology
and adaptability augur well for the future. They add to the
constant awareness that there is a need to keep abreast of
developments, and to advance teaching and learning in keeping
with the demands of the 21st century.
This year also saw the first Veritas Award presented to an
alumnus who has achieved well while at Dominican, and
has continued to do so at tertiary level and in the workplace.
Kutloano Mokhele was a worthy recipient, and what was striking
was his humility. Despite his ability to do well in the corporate
world, he has remained focused on his community and the
contribution he can make. He is an example of a high-functioning
individual in the new century.
FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY SCHOOL
Triumph of the
Human Spirit
It has been said that teaching is a profession that
gives birth to other professions.
Having recently celebrated my thirtieth year in the teaching
profession, I can honestly say that I can relate to this quote.
It gives me so much pleasure and pride to see the children whom
I have taught, nurtured and loved, grow and develop and become
productive members of society. In a sense it is almost as if I have
given birth to them. I feel a tremendous sense of privilege to
know that I had something to do with raising and educating the
next generation of South African leaders.
2012 was the Diamond Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth II.
Throughout the United Kingdom exciting celebrations took
place, with a great show of pomp and ceremony. There are many
lessons that we can learn from Her Majesty the Queen. Sixty
years is a very long time to stay in any job!
She ascended the throne as a very young woman when her father
died suddenly, and she was totally unprepared for this role. Yet
she seized the opportunity with both hands and for the past 60
years has displayed tenacity, resilience, responsibility and an
unwavering commitment to the job at hand.
endurance of which the human spirit is capable. Every athlete,
from the visually impaired to the hearing impaired, to those
with missing limbs, seized the opportunity to overcome his
or her disadvantage and therefore conquer the world. It was
truly inspirational to see thousands of disabled athletes coming
together in a spirit of unity and healthy competition, as they
proved what the human body can endure.
Our South African Paralympics team did our country proud,
bringing home 29 medals. A true triumph of the
human spirit!
Educators today should all strive to emulate these qualities. If we
all demonstrate the same commitment and responsibility in the
task we have of educating children, the rest will come naturally.
I urge the young learners of Dominican Convent School to take
a serious look at their teachers and see the value in what they
have given to them. Follow their examples of commitment and
dedication to your studies, go out into the world and use your
education to further yourself and make a better life, not only for
yourself, but for those who might follow in your footsteps. Create
those footsteps and be the leader you were born to be!
MRS Dalene ROStovsky
uncommon leadership
The onus is on academic institutions such as Dominican
to ensure that the contribution to education is progressive
and demanding. Dominican needs to continue to have high
expectations of the learners, as their world in the future will
demand much of them on all levels: spiritually, socially
and professionally.
Staying in London, the whole world watched the Olympics with
bated breath. However, instead of focusing on the Olympics
themselves, I paid great attention to the Paralympic Games
which followed. Every participant was disabled in some way or
another, which should have placed him or her at a disadvantage.
However, these games clearly demonstrated the stamina and
Ms MARIna Burger
4 Dominican CONVENT SCHOOL 2012
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