The new academic term started off with a new principal for Helderberg International School.
Cristina Black is not a new face to the school, having served at the institution for the last 10 years. She recently took the leadership reins over from predecessor André Swart and intends continuing the tradition of instilling the school’s values in its learners.
Johannesburg-born Black, who hails from a family of teachers, said her development in the profession was a natural one as she has always taken pride in helping others.
“I spent my childhood helping my younger brothers with their schoolwork,” she recalled.
Black and her family moved to the West Coast when she was a child, and this is where she spent her formative and school years.
Her career in education spans more than 20 years after graduating from Stellenbosch University where she majored in languages and psychology.
Of her new role at the Somerset West school, Black said it’s an honour to be part of an institution that strives to develop young people who have the capacity to contribute proactively to the creation of a better world.
“We have a real family feel at the school and it’s a pleasure to be in a supportive environment where every team member is appreciated,” she related.
In her role as new school principal, she is most looking forward to “having a bigger platform to serve her community and make a difference”.
As is the case with the rest of the staff at Helderberg International School, Black is devoted to imparting the belief that every thought, word or action contributes either negatively or positively to the world.
In her years as a teacher, she has held on to the motivation that each person has something to offer the world, a sentiment that she has always passed on to her students.
What has been the highlight of her teaching career? “It’s difficult to single out one memorable experience,” Black said. “However, running into former students who come over to chat years later is always heart-warming.”
