CHAMWE KAIRA
Curro Holdings, the JSE-listed independent school group, has announced the appointment of Rickert Jacobs as the new executive head of Walvis Bay Gymnasium.
With more than two decades of educational experience, Jacobs previously served as the head of high school at Curro Kathu in South Africa’s Northern Cape province.
He says his aim is to ‘influence those in my sphere so that the game changers in our society can multiply’ and that his educational philosophy centres on empowering staff members to do the same.
‘I’m excited by the new opportunity to grow as a professional and to get to grips with a new schooling system,” he says.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and seeing how they develop and grow—both staff and learners. If this is the focus, the results and performances will speak for themselves.”
Jacobs holds a B.Com in financial management from the University of Johannesburg, where he also did his honours, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from UNISA.
He has taught accounting, business studies, and economic and management studies (EMS) and has coached rugby at the provincial level in South Africa. He holds a World Rugby Level 2 certified coaching qualification.
Curro believes that he is the right fit to not only build strong relationships with learners, staff and parents, but also to ensure good discipline and to develop the school’s sports offering to a new level.
“We are excited to see Rickert’s skills in action at Walvis Bay Gymnasium,” says Colette Rieckert, managing director for Curro Education in Namibia.
“We have built a beautiful school, focused on providing learners with a high-quality education incorporating academics, physical health and emotional well-being to empower them to become the leaders of the future. We know that improving our sports offering will help us to attract more learners and Rickert’s background as both an experienced educator and coach will stand us in good stead as we focus on solidifying our reputation for quality, holistic education in Namibia.”
Curro said in the financial results for the six months ended 30 June last year that it is actively pursuing opportunities to offer quality education to more learners in Southern Africa.
The group opened two new campuses in Walvis Bay and Oshana and also owns the Windhoek Gymnasium.
The Walvis Bay Gymnasium opened with 350 pupils. Oshana Gymnasium opened with an initial intake of 200 to 250 learners.
The two new schools were built at a total cost of N$240 million.
Curro said the two new campuses in Namibia are part of a joint venture.
