A name change that is unique and memorable to the staff, learners and Tafelsig community, is the first thing the new principal, Keenan Herbert (31) from Blackheath is planning for Tafelsig No 2 High School.
The school is situated next to Perseverance Primary School and it opened its doors this year with Grades 8 and 9.
The school has 10 prefab classrooms, built to accommodate 400 learners for this year, with the possibility of adding another grade each year.
“We do not want to create a mindset that Tafelsig No 2 High School is an afterthought and that it reigns upon an identity of another school. My dream for the school is to build sound relationships with the Tafelsig community and alongside the relevant stakeholders to change the name of the school,” Herbert says. “My dream is for each and every learner to reach the level of success. For them to have a sense of belonging when entering the gates of the school. To wake up with a purpose, knowing each day will take them a step closer to where they want to be.”
The school has 14 teachers and four support staff. “We mostly have novice teachers and we are appointing staff members that are the best fit to serve Mitchell’s Plain community. Five teachers are from Mitchell’s Plain and Strandfontein and the support staff from Mitchell’s Plain,” he says.
Herbert completed his B.Ed FET (EMS) from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in 2014. He started his teaching career at Beacon Hill Secondary School in January 2015. He obtained his B.Ed in education management cum laude in 2017 from CPUT.
“In 2020, I was appointed as departmental head at Beacon Hill Secondary School. In 2022, was seconded to Gateway High School in Ottery as deputy principal where I assisted to open the school for all unplaced Grade 8 learners coming from Mitchell’s Plain, Philippi, Nyanga, Samora Machel and the southern suburbs. These learners were transported to the school. The local learners are now attending Tafelsig No.2 High School,” Herbert says.
After he matriculated he took a gap year freelancing for a furniture retail store. He was later accepted at UWC to study law and also at CPUT to study teaching.
“I chose teaching because I had some amazing teachers that impacted my life in primary and high school. Not only that, but I also developed a passion for teaching in my Grade 11 year after I tutored my mom in mathematics at 50 and decided to enrol as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) teacher.
“My dream for our learners is to be change agents, that never get tired of doing what is good. I hope and pray to see respect, hope and human dignity restored in all learners’ households and that our parents, guardians and grandparents, will enjoy the fruits of their offspring,” he says.
There are many challenges that he and his staff are currently facing since school started.
“I shared with my staff, we will not only focus on the limitations, but we will also ensure each learner receives a quality education, in every classroom at Tafelsig No.2. Together we will overcome each hurdle we are faced with. Although we only have two grades, with no funds, our staff decided to give our learners an opportunity to participate in the interschool athletics meeting today (14 February) at Vygieskraal in Athlone. We also registered for netball and soccer to compete. Other exciting events are a Valentine’s Day programme and a surf walk after the athletics,” Herbert says.
His hobbies include cooking for his family and he serves on various committees at his local church, the AFM in Blackheath.
