"One month into the job, I watched our school turn green and gold for the Springboks and I saw something I've come to recognise as "The Viva Spirit". That's the pride I want us to build into every learner here."
Yesterday marked exactly one month since I joined Viva Primary School as Executive Principal and Partner. In that time I've seen a great deal, met a great many people, and learned a lot about this school. But this week, something happened that didn't just make me notice Viva. It made me feel it.
The Day the School Turned Green and Gold
Looking out of my office window, I saw our corridors and grounds filled with green and gold, Springbok jerseys, and children walking around with real pride. A few of them came to my office just to check: "Sir, can you see that we're supporting the Springboks?"
I saw it. But more than that, I saw their pride, their excitement, their loyalty, and what I've come to recognise as the Viva spirit.
I'll admit it without any embarrassment: I'm a passionate Springbok supporter, and an even more passionate South African. I celebrate every South African who achieves at the highest level, in any field. That's exactly the kind of value I want us to build into our learners here at Viva: pride in themselves, their families, their school, and their country, and the belief that with hard work and the right attitude, they can achieve far more than they think possible.
I want our learners to one day look back and say Viva Primary School taught them to believe in themselves, to stay positive, to be proud, and to never give up. Most of all, I want them to be able to say Viva Primary School believed in them.
That same pride is exactly what we're building through our Viva Primary School Sports Academy, one code at a time, and it's the same spirit I saw looking out of my office window that day.
A Word to Our Parents and Guardians
We can't do this alone. A child's attitude isn't shaped at school alone, it's shaped by school and home working together. When a child hears "we believe in you," "work hard," "respect your teacher," and "be proud of your school" at home, and hears the same message at school, something changes: the child starts to believe I can. And once a child believes that, everything shifts.
So to every parent and guardian at Viva Primary School: thank you. For your support, your trust, your positive attitude, and for giving us the opportunity to build something special together.
Our Children Are Watching Us
While marking Grade 7 Afrikaans exam papers this week, I came across a learner's piece about his favourite thing at school: his teacher, who loves rugby and the Springboks, written in reasonably good Afrikaans. It made me smile, and it reminded me of something important: our children are watching us. They listen, they remember, and they notice what we're passionate about, often more than we realise.
Viva Has a Future
I've spent many years in education, worked in many schools, and met a great many children and educators. I say this with real conviction: my first month at Viva Primary School has already been one of the highlights of my career. There's an energy here, a potential, a spirit that's hard to put into words. I believe Viva can grow, can develop, and can become one of the leading private schools in Rustenburg. More than that, I believe in our people: our learners, our educators, our parents, and our potential.
When a Springbok runs onto the field, he doesn't just wear a jersey, he carries a nation's hope and pride. I want our learners to understand that when they put on a Viva uniform, they're not just wearing a uniform. They carry the Viva name, the pride of their parents, and the hopes of their teachers. One day, they'll be South Africa's future leaders, and that's what we're building here: not just a school, but a place where we build character, establish values, and prepare young people for the future.
My Promise to Viva
I can't promise every day will be easy, or that we won't face challenges. But I can promise to keep believing, keep building, keep supporting our children, and keep expecting excellence. I ask one thing in return: let's do this together, parents, guardians, learners, and staff alike. Let's make our school bigger, better, and stronger, so that every child can say, "I am proud to be a Viva learner."
One day, when people in Rustenburg talk about the best private schools, Viva Primary School's name will be there. Not because we said it would be, but because we built it together.
Go Bokke. Go Viva.