Algemene Nuus / General News

PRG kondig nuwe rektor aan | PRG announces new rector

Ná bykans agt jaar as rektor by Paul Roos Gimnasium tree André van Staden aan die einde van die tweede kwartaal vanjaar uit en sal hy die leisels aan Jannie de Villiers oorgee. Jannie is currently the Head of the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) in Makhanda (Grahamstown) where he picked up the reigns in January 2020, just in time for the Covid-19 pandemic!

Jannie is a curious life-long learner who holds a BA Honours degree from Northwest University, a Higher Diploma in Education from Stellenbosch University, and a B.Ed. Honours degree from the University of Cape Town (Cum Laude). He also completed the Leadership Development Programme at the Wits Business School.

Jannie se onderwysloopbaan het in 1996 by Hoërskool Swellendam begin. Twee jaar later het hy ’n pos as Afrikaans- en Geografie-onderwyser by Bishops Diocesan College in Kaapstad aanvaar waar hy vir 19 jaar werksaam was. He found a deep sense of purpose in pastoral care and progressed very quickly in this area until his eventual role as Senior Boarding House Director. In the last decade of his time at Bishops, Jannie served on various strategic committees and task teams, dealing with issues such as leadership development, outdoor education, sustainability, diversity, discipline, and pastoral care.

In 2016 is Jannie as hoof van Oakhill School in Knysna aangestel. In sy drie-jaar-termyn het hy die skoolgemeenskap deur die Knysna-vuurramp van 2017 gelei en ook die mylpaal van hul 25ste bestaansjaar gevier. By Oakhill het Jannie die geleentheid gekry om opwindende inisiatiewe te neem, onder meer in personeelontwikkeling, diversiteit, akademiese innovering en die volledige omskakeling van Oakhill na ’n Google-skool.

Jannie says his calling as an educator is rooted in his desire to ignite critical thinking, deep care, and authentic leadership in young people so that they can purposefully navigate and shape the future into something better for all. Volgens hom is hy as hoof “passievol oor die bou van gelukkige, doelgedrewe spanne deur by te dra tot individuele ontwikkeling, uitsonderlike werk- en leeromgewings te skep, en ’n gesonde skoolkultuur te vestig.”

He is an authentic, transparent leader who offers colleagues and learners guidance, support, and agency, and then trusts them to do a great job, even if this means risking a few honest mistakes. He strives to unite a high-trust school community of stakeholders who behave like an inspired team with the mantra, ‘we strive for excellence, but perfection is not our goal’.

In sy persoonlike hoedanigheid is Jannie ‘n avonturier wat hou van bergklim, “trail running” en agterpaaie ry (met sy fiets of bakkie), maar hy geniet ook teater, letterkunde, kuns en musiek. Hy put elke dag krag uit sy roeping as ‘n Christen-opvoeder en die ondersteuning van sy gesin. Jannie is getroud met Suzanne, ’n ervare opvoeder in eie reg. Hulle het twee kinders – Alida (19), wat in 2025 haar studies in arbeidsterapie aan die Universiteit Kaapstad sal begin, en Jean (17), wat in 2025 by St Andrew’s College sal matrikuleer.

We believe that Jannie’s extensive skill set and experience, his love for people, positive disposition, and contagious energy, make him the right person to lead our school into the next chapter of its exciting future. Ons heet die De Villiers gesin hartlik welkom en hoop dat dit die begin van ’n lang en vervullende verbintenis met die Paul Roos-gemeenskap sal wees.