March News

Getting to know Graceland’s new Principal

Graceland’s new principal, Simoné Van Der Berg, is an alumni of the School of Hope; another project of the Thembalitsha Foundation. She was one of their first matriculants and was valedictorian of her class. Simoné’s journey to success started when she enrolled at the School of Hope. She was 18 years old at the time, very insecure and didn’t even say a word to anyone unless asked a question. In her young life she had experienced her parents’ divorce, dropping out of school, failing a grade, moving schools 7 times and she grow up with her Grandmother who then passed away the year she enrolled at the School of Hope.

Up until the time she got to School of Hope she didn’t think she’d finish her schooling as everyone in her family only reached Grade 10, it was as if that was as high up the schooling ladder her family could go. She was told by family to give up and get a job but she knew that God had a bigger and better plan for her life. At the School of Hope she experienced something her had never experienced before, a love for school and hope and dreams for the future.

In 2008, Simone finished high school at the age of 21. She completed a sport internship with Ambassadors in Sport for a year but in the process she discovered that she loves teaching children. In 2010, she worked at a Daycare Centre as an assistant teacher to 1-2 year olds. Then in the beginning of 2011 Simone had an opportunity to go to New York with a Mentorship Program that is run for the learners of the School of Hope. After 3 month she returned from New York and started pursuing her studies in education. She then enrolled at the College of Cape Town to study Early Childhood Development.
In June 2012, she finished her year at College of Cape Town which qualified her to work as a pre-school teacher and manager. When the opportunity to work as acting principal opened up at Graceland, Simone grabbed it with both hands as she was very familiar with Graceland and its staff. Since January 2013 Simone has been the Principal of Graceland Preschool.

Simone will continue her studies part-time as she aspires to one day be a primary school principal. Her love for children has motivated her to inspire teachers to be the best they can be. Through inspiring teachers the lives of the children

they are teaching will be impacted in a positive way. So, a big welcome to Simone! She has shown herself to be a good leader and manager of Graceland during her time as acting principal. Let us stand with her in her pursuit to ensure that Graceland continues to be an outstanding school.