Mrs. Leoni Topka acting Principal, Durban Bluff, South Africa.
RESPONSIBILITY AS A QUALITY OF LEADERSHIP
A quality of leadership is the assumption and acceptance of
responsibility for the organization and all decisions taken within the
organization.
The leader is also responsible for making
strategic decisions within the leader's responsibility rather than
avoiding or abrogating this responsibility.
A culture of taking
responsibility cannot exist in a culture of blame and recrimination. A
leader in a culture of responsibility, takes responsibility and shares
the credit.
Phrases such as the "The buck stops here" and "If
you can't stand the heat, you better get out of the kitchen" were
popularized by US President Harry S. Truman .
President Obama said in an interview with a local Washington DC radio
station that as presidents go, Harry Truman said the buck stops with
you. Meaning he thinks this applies to him.
DIRKIE Uys Primary School parents,
staff and governing body members have banded together to revamp the school
and its status in the community.
Erin Hanekom
The first phase of the
project, led by the school's governing body, is currently under way.
Volunteers have been giving the 55-year-old building a much-needed
facelift.
“We have been coming in
on weekends and scraping and painting to make the school look
better. We want to improve the image of Dirkie Uys and make sure
people know we are coming back, and coming back strong,” said
governing body
Vice Chairperson June Haupt.
isiZulu lessons will
begin again in the new term and the group hopes to start hosting
game evenings for the children, with the aim of giving them a safe
place to have fun and keep them off the streets. They hope to
upgrade
the fence perimeter
of the school, adding to the security.
A perma-culture
eco-garden will be planted where children and their parents will be
able to learn about sustainable living.
The school hopes to
provide meals for children on a regular basis, following the lead of
tuck shop manager, Joan Stork, who has been providing porridge to
some of the pupils once a week.
“We want to provide a
safe place of learning for our pupils, where they can be happy and
their parents can be confident they are being giving a good foothold
for future success,” said Vice Chairperson June Haupt.
Scraping of the
Pillars at C-Block has started on Saturday 09 June 2012 under Mr. E. Haupt!
Captain Lollipop returns to Bluff
schools.
18 October 2011 | Shaun Ryan
THE importance of
a pupil friendly classroom will be stressed in an upcoming school
anti-bullying campaign overseen by Brighton Beach SAP.
The
campaign was launched on October 12 and aims to reduce incidents of bullying
in local schools.
"The desired outcome is to create an
environment of respect in the classroom," said Brighton Beach SAP
communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux.
The emotional
effect of bullying on children and its impact in their day-to-day
functioning in the classroom and on the playground will also be highlighted
through the use of custom-made rag dolls.
"Grade Rs to 7s
will be visited by ’Captain Lollipop’ and her one woman rag doll road show,"
said Le Roux.
"The presentation with visual aids will depict the
bullying of teachers by pupils and pupils bullying each other," she
continued.
BULLYING
According to
Le Roux, the bullying of teachers can be construed as incidents of verbal
abuse, which are on the increase.
"Other important lessons about
‘stranger danger’ and the 10111 procedures will also be included in the
presentation."
A new competition promoting pupils to be the best
behaved child in their class will also be incorporated into the campaign.
"Pupils will be encouraged to refrain from bullying actions and report any
acts to the teachers.
The best behaved pupil in each grade will
receive a police medal and certificate.
The anti-bullying
champion will wear his or her medal to school for the remainder of the
fourth term to showcase their commitment towards anti-bullying in their
school," said Le Roux, explaining the importance of the role.
Brochures on bullying designed by Le Roux will be distributed to all 14
schools within the Brighton Beach policing area. "They will identify
what bullying is, who acts as a bully and the effects of bullying," she
said.
Le Roux thanked her sponsors for contributing to the
campaign.
"Tactical Security will donate 4,500 lollipops so every
pupil who attends the presentation will be rewarded and the Brighton Beach
community policing forum (CPF) is sponsoring the anti-bullying champion
medals."
THANKED
Erika Venter
of Brighton Beach was also thanked for designing and making the rag dolls.
"Businesses, CPFs and residents are urged to assist to combat criminal
elements in local schools," said Le Roux.
Food to provide focus for hungry
pupils
IN A bid to
improve learning potential at Dirkie Uys Primary School, volunteers are working
closely with the governing body to provide meals for the pupils.
20 February 2013 | Erin Hanekom
With a breakfast programme
already in place, providing food for children to start their day, an
once-weekly lunch programme was officially launched on Wednesday, 6
February.
“Some of our pupils come
from families that are unable to provide them with food every day
and this affects their learning. A hungry child cannot concentrate.
This is why we decided to start this scheme,” said governing
body member, Vice
Chairperson June Haupt.
Once a week,
volunteers Tarryn and Mary Ardene and Ria Stoleenkamp arrive at the
school with a hearty helping of food that is available
free-of-charge to any pupil who wants. A makeshift eating area
reminiscent of a
small café provides
them with a quiet place to eat.
At first the pupils
were shy and not quite sure what to expect, but once word had
spread, the masses descended and filled up their stomachs.
The team of
volunteers are currently looking for more sponsors for this
initiative and thank Jabu, George and Mrs Ryan for the donations
already given. To offer donations in the form of money, or supplies,
...........
contact June on 074-153-3919.
The Dirkie Uys Primary School is situated in Bluff, Durban
which is constantly striving to achieve quality
education for all.
The following are the objectives of the Dirkie Uys
Primary School:
Towards accountability and control of education
-
Managing the transition towards an inclusive
education.
The Teachers of
the Dirkie Uys Primary School are not just there
to do the job in the
classroom that is
prescribed for them.
Rather, they are
present to be professionals in the business of
trying to work out:
- what is best
for the school,
- what is best for the kids
- and how education should be practiced.
A good education
turns dreams of excellence into reality.
A poor education
not only results in illiteracy and innumeracy
but has greater impacts relating
to the ability to
find employment; understanding and fighting for
legal rights and political
rights, causing
the poor to be taken advantage of; and in the
case of females, impacting on their
ability to be
economically independent.
Education is the
most powerful weapon which you can use to change
the world.- Nelson Mandela
Courage - relies
on moral courage through the power of God.
You were born to
win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win,
prepare to win,
and expect to
win. - Zig Ziglar
The protection of
children is not the responsibility of statutory
and formal welfare
organisations
only, but is truly the legal duty of every
citizen.
For more information on the Dirkie Uys Primary
School, or for admissions, get in touch by using
the contact
details provided below.
Contact Number:
031- 467 3343
Front Office
Contact Person:
Mrs. Hester du Plessis - Secretary
Tenders
are invited for the urgent
repair of C-Block Roof sections
and the
gravelling of the parent
drive-in drop-off parking area!
Renovating Work
(Roof, Waterpipes, Ceiling, Doors) at the School Hall has started on Saturday 09
June 2012
Dirkie
Uys Primary School Bluff
Preparedness and commitment to school safety are demonstrated by actions,
not just rhetoric.
Not only are there obvious legal implications in respect of injury to
learners and staff within the school grounds and buildings, but other areas
of potential criminal prosecution which have a significant effect on the
risk management of schoolsand the policies and procedures
being developed by governing bodies and education authorities urgently need
to be investigated. One of the major factors of school safety is the
acknowledgement of educators, education managers and departmental officials
to understand their legal responsibilities regarding the safety of learners.
"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny
matters compared to what lies within us".
Another day at Dirkie Uys
Primary... It can be a Time of Miracles;
A day when our Dreams seem a Little Closer;
A time of Retrospection for what Has Been,
And Anticipation of All That Will Be.
The
Future Begins Here!
A KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education Principal - 2012
A passion for commitment
School leaders who are truly
committed accept the
challenges of the system as
they arise and find ways to
cope and flourish. They have
a set of values that
guides them and keeps them
focused on their work,
regardless of what they
have to cope with on a daily
basis. They are able to
adapt and move on in
changing circumstances.
Factors committed and
passionate school leaders
exhibit:
1. A clear, enduring set of
values and ideologies which
inform practice
regardless of social
context.
2. The active rejection of a
minimalist approach to
leadership (to just doing
the job).
3. A continuing willingness
to reflect upon experience
and the context in
which practice occurs and to
be adaptable.
4. A sustained sense of
identity and purpose and an
ability to find room to
manoeuvre by managing
tensions.
5. Intellectual and
emotional engagement with
all stakeholders.
A passion for trust
Building a culture of trust
whereby the principal allows
his/her educators to do
what is needed, to do things
without infringing on their
responsibilities, is central
to passionate and good
school leadership. Where
there is trust there is a
strong
obligation towards and
responsibility for each
other within the school.
There is a
supportive, professional
relationship.
A passion for inclusivity
The school community is seen
by passionate school leaders
as the real context in
which they work. They
actively involve parents,
guardians and other
stakeholders
in the schools activities
not just through the SGB but
in all aspects of the
schools life. These school
leaders spend a large amount
of time engaging with
the broader community to
inform them how they run
their schools and the path
they are following. The
community is seen as a
partner and also an integral
part
of the school.
Planning and Budgeting:
creating systems for
operational efficiency;
Organising and staffing:
making sure that everyone
knows what is expected;
Controlling and
problem-solving: making it
happen;
Predictability and order:
stability from everything
working well so that
teaching and learning
happens with maximum impact
Mrs. L.Topka
Acting
Principal
2009
(promotion)
Departmental
appointed
Head of
Department
at
Briardale
Primary School
Newlands
- West
2010
Departmental
appointed
Head of
Department
seconded
to:
Addington
Primary
School -
Point
Durban
2011
Departmental
appointed
Head of
Department
returned
to:
Dirkie
Uys
Primary
School
Mrs. L.Topka
Acting
Principal
At
Dirkie Uys
Primary School -
Sept. 2011
Special
Education
Specialist
Leoni Topka
- Graduate
of:
Henley
Management
College
(UK)(SA)
and holder
of:
The
GIMT
Post-Graduate
Diploma
in
School
Management
The
Graduate
Institute
of
Management
and
Technology
(GIMT)
THE QUALITY LEARNING AND TEACHING CAMPAIGN (QLTC)
In his State of the Nation Address, presented to the
joint sitting of Parliament in Cape Town on 3 June 2009,
the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr JG
Zuma, stated that: “Education will be a key priority
for the next five years. We want our teachers, learners
and parents to work together with government to turn our
schools into thriving centres of excellence”.
The President further stated: “We reiterate our
non-negotiables. Teachers should be in school and in
class, on time, teaching, with no neglect of duty
and no abuse of pupils! The children should be in
class, on time, learning, be respectful of their
teachers and each other, and do their homework”.
On Friday, 11 August 2008, Government launched a
health and education campaign at Walter Sisulu
Square in Kliptown. This campaign arises from the
recognition that health and education should be at
the centre of Government’s social transformation
programme for the next five years.
On the education front, the campaign calls on all
individuals and organisations to assume
responsibility for improving the quality of
education. The education elements of the campaign
will:
inform citizens about the importance of education
and their roles, responsibilities and obligations
towards education;
mobilise communities to monitor and support schools,
teachers and learners;
improve the quality of education for all children,
especially the poor, and to demonstrate this
improved quality via improved learner achievement.
The
achievement of quality education for all depends on
the actions of members of Parliament, the Basic
Education Ministry, provincial members of executive
councils, departmental officials, school principals,
teachers, learners,parents,
school governors and members of the community.
Each of these role-players are called upon to make a
commitment to a “Code for Quality Education”, which
describes the responsibilities and discipline
required of them. If all sections of society work
together – government, communities, health-care
workers, civil society, business, the media and
other sectors – we can ensure that all learners
benefit from quality education. Campaign
coordinating structures are being established at
national, provincial, regional, local and school
level and Government now callson
all South Africans to join us in this campaign as
part of an ongoing effort to achieve a better life
for all.
Welcome to the
Umlazi District
Official Website
Vision
A well educated, skilled and highly developed citizenry
Our Mission
To provide equitable access to quality education for the people of
KwaZulu-Natal
Safrican is proud to be associated with SADTU and would like to
provide this webpage to our valued SADTU members in an effort to
extend our services.
For your convenience, please find below the Safrican applications
and servicing forms. To open these documents, simply click on the
name and the form will open. Then please print the document and
complete your details accordingly.
