Glenwood High School welcomes new principal
GLENWOOD High School will start its fourth term on a new slate with Pierre Jacobs as its new headmaster.
Jacobs will join Glenwood from Queens College in the Eastern Cape, where he leaves his post as senior deputy headmaster, a position he has held since 2014.
His role at Queens College has given Jacobs a broad base of experience in the academic, sport, leadership, and strategic management portfolios.
Jacobs matriculated from Grey High School in 1997 and holds a national diploma in sports management, a national professional diploma in education and an advanced certificate in education from the North West University.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Jacobs said he was honoured to be joining Glenwood, which is regarded as one of the best schools in the province.
“I am incredibly humbled and I see the appointment as a great honour to serve a school like Glenwood which has a rich history,” he said.
He said while working at Holy Cross Primary, Graeme College and Queen’s College, he had attended numerous professional development courses, including child witness research and training courses, an African Pastoral Conference and the World Rugby’s coaching courses.
Jacobs said he was attracted to applying for the position because the school upheld many values.
“The school has good discipline between peers and adults. When my family and I visited the school, we felt most welcomed,” he added.
Asked what defines a good school, Jacobs said: “A good school would be where everyone is in it for the greater good.
“If everyone at the school serves it in a good way, with one goal which is to develop learners and staff members. The school should also allow the opportunity to encourage life development.”
Reynard van Wyk, Glenwood’s
school governing body (SGB) chairman, said former principal Dr Andri Barnes, who took over the reins in 2017, would retire at the end of the month.
“Barnes took the reins of an unsteady carriage, breaking the glass ceiling and becoming the first female principal of a ‘traditional boys’ school in South Africa.
“Dr Barnes has successfully balanced Glenwood High School and poised the school to step with confidence into this new chapter of its history.
“After a rigorous and intensive recruitment process, we are excited to announce the appointment of our new headmaster, who will assume office from the start of term four.
“The Jacobs family, Pierre, his wife Lizelle, and their two young sons, will be relocating from the Eastern Cape shortly and we join the entire Glenwood community in welcoming them to our neighbourhood,” said Van Wyk.