The 2000’s was a decade of modernisation, innovation
and changing syllabuses that all required adjustment.
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| Mrs Diana Van Zyl (Previous Head Mistress) on the right
Computers and Information Technology was
an inevitable part of the modernisation of Herschel. In 2000, Mr Ziyaad Fataar,
the first ever fulltime IT technician was employed and in 2001, he experienced
the changes that took place in order to extend the IT department, adding a
fully equipped project room and design classrooms. Most classrooms also acquired a computer and a large screen television,
thereby using the latest technology to provide quality education. Improvements
and advances in educational media were closely followed by the school with the
introduction of Smartboards. These are interactive whiteboards, greatly
enhancing creative learning, and were installed in the science classrooms.
Along with Information Technology came
environmental consciousness, with Herschel’s first Inter house recycling drive
in 2001. These drives have subsequently developed into weekly recycling
collections every Tuesday. In 2008, the second hand book and clothing stores
were established in an attempt to decrease waste and promote the reusing of
resources.
Herschel has always had strong
traditions with spirituality, academics, community service and extra-curricular
involvement, which are the 4 pillars of education. In 2000 the Herschel Chapel was presented with stained-glass windows by
Mrs P. Duff, Mr P. Morelli and the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Matrics. The design by
Ella-Lou O-Mecra was executed by Peter Stoklas and featured angels on the
branches of the Ilex tree, the Olympic flame and the depiction of paradise. The
windows were blessed in a special service on the 7th November 2000
by the Right Reverend Christopher Gregorowski. The Ilex tree featured on the
chapel’s windows was the same tree that had sheltered Herschel girls since
1922. In 2006 the tree was discovered to be diseased and sadly had to be cut
down for safety purposes.
Stain Glass Windows in the Chapel
In 2001 a more transparent style of
governance was adopted by council, which acted to allow direct contact with
parents by encouraging parents to become more involved with the running of the
school. Four seats in council were made available to parents.
A new deputy headmistress, Mrs Lindi
Clarke was appointed in 2001. A year later Lynn Reid became the chairman
of Herschel and under her lead, many innovations, landscaping and refurbishing
of school facilities were achieved. Her goal was to make Herschel a
better place to work and learn. The 2000’s were years off curriculum
adjustments and changes. Outcome Based Education was introduced for Grade 8’s
in 2001. These girls, along with pupils nationwide, were subjected to various
‘Common Assessment Tasks’ and ‘External Assessment Tests’. In 2005 the pupils
wrote the first National Senior Certificate exams. Herschel was fortunate in
that the teachers were able to attend the many training workshops offered to
accommodate with the new syllabus requirements.
A few of the major building projects
undertaken include the refurbishment of the Mary Jagger Hall in 2001. It was
opened again as a concert and lecture theatre and exam centre. In 2005
fundraising was started for a 10-lane swimming pool on the senior school
grounds, which was built in 2006. It is used for Physical Education lessons,
swimming and water polo events and practices. The senior school campus was designed the same year, with the entrance
moving to Kenmar Crescent in order to create better traffic flow. This allowed
more space for parking and space for benches on the lawn for girls to use in
their study periods. The landscaping was fully completed in 2008. In 2007
and 2008 the staff room was refurbished and enlarged to cater for the
increasing numbers of staff employed at Herschel. A year later the junior and
senior school campuses were combined to encourage movement between the two
schools and enable the sharing of facilities. The preparatory music block was
also rebuilt in order to promote musical study and encourage participation.
Enrichment week had become a fixed
yearly tradition which enabled the girls to learn about themselves, the value
of empathy and community service. In 2002 an aspect of the project was extended
into an “Africa Week”, with relevant speakers and outings to educate the girls
about their continent and community. The knowledge gained during these weeks is
invaluable to the girls as it extends and develops leadership potential and
skills. In 2002 the leadership structure at Herschel was extended with the
introduction of portfolio and grade heads.
In 2004 clubs and societies were
formally offered to the girls. These clubs provided opportunities to display
leadership, exercise creativity, broaden education and to have fun. In 2005
Herschel offered 27 different outreach activities, some weekly, some yearly as
well as a compulsory activity once a term for all girls. An example of
such an activity is Jump-Hi. The aim is to provide consistent individual maths
support to children at underprivileged schools.
The school celebrated its 85th
Founder’s Day on 16 February 2007. The special occasion was attended by Mrs
Charlotte Herschel Farrqueharson – the great-great-granddaughter of Sir John
Herschel, and he was the man whom the school was named after.
In
2008, Mr Bruce Probyn became the first headmaster after 9 headmistresses. His
inauguration took place at St. Saviours Church in 13 May 2008. The service was
held by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba. Since his arrival, he has
encouraged pupils to be committed, develop intellectual curiosity and to be
creative, while striving for academic excellence.
Herschel Girls School
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