New Riebeek College head to harness spirit
Strong bond between girls ‘very unique’
RIEBEEK College Girls’ High School has appointed a new principal from within its own ranks.
Kieran Stear, 57, who has extensive experience with teaching, was previously the school’s head of department of the junior school.
She started her new job yesterday at the Uitenhage school.
Stear has been part of the Riebeek College family since 1996, and will be the 15th principal in its 140-year history.
Stear’s philosophy of education is that learning should be fun and goaldirected and that excellence is worth striving for.
Marilyn Woods, whose name had become synonymous with the school, retired at the end of last year after 45 years in the teaching profession.
“I am absolutely thrilled Stear has been appointed as the new principal.
“I am wishing her all the best.
“I have no doubt that Riebeek is in good hands and that it will indeed only go from strength to strength,” Woods said.
While Stear has been an educator since 1983, she admitted that after the retirement of Woods she had some big shoes to fill.
“They officially appointed me as the principal of the school last week,” said Stear.
“One of the things that Woods created in the school is a very unique spirit.
“There is a strong bond between our girls that I really want to protect going forward.
“I have big shoes to fill but I am very excited. I also have no doubt that Riebeek is going to grow from strength to strength,” Stear enthused.
She said the pupils where just as excited after the announcement had been made during an assembly yesterday.
“The girls stood up and clapped when they heard. I was so humbled,” she said.
Stear, who is a mother to Clare, 32, Laura, 30, James, 28, Kate, 17, and Leigh, 15, said she was well versed in dealing with young children and teenagers.
Stear’s mother-in-law, Natalie Stear, is a wellknown educator who served as principal of Riebeek College from 1988 to 2000.
Stear’s late husband, Robert Stear, also worked at Riebeek College, which is where they met.
During a speech at assembly yesterday, Stear said: “I am more excited today at the prospect of leading Riebeek than I have ever been in my career. “I won’t make big promises but can promise I will work hard every day and allow my actions to speak.”
She said that in light of the poor matric results within the Eastern Cape, Riebeek College had been able to maintain a 100% matric pass rate just about every year and that this year the results would be no different.