As Term 3 of the academic year draws to a close so does a memorable era at Beaumont Primary School.
The Somerset West school bids farewell to its longstanding principal Gordon Reddell, whose name has become synonymous with that of Beaumont. At month’s end he embarks on retirement after dedicating over four decades to an illustrious career.
Reddell’s career in education started at Panorama Primary School in 1982. He was promoted to department head at Durbanville Primary School eight years later, before his journey at the Somerset West primary school started in 1993 with his appointment as Deputy Principal. A mere three years later, at the tender age of 36, Reddell was promoted to principal, stepping up to the plate when the school’s founder principal retired.
Those fortunate enough to have worked under him may well testify to his truly exceptional visionary leadership. Reddell believed in empowering his staff and trusting them to get the job done. Speaking volumes are 22 former Beaumont learners who have returned to the alma mater as educators wanting to work under his leadership. Over the years, and under his excellent tutorship, 13 of his staff accepted positions as departmental heads (either at Beaumont or elsewhere), eight as deputy principal and four as principal.
Beaumont’s infrastructure also flourished under Reddell’s leadership. Among a few highlights are 18 additional classrooms built to accommodate the increase in learner numbers from 900 to 1 372 learners, an aftercare centre with further extensions, two computer centres, a music centre, an auditorium, two extra tennis courts, a pavilion with roofing at the school’s swimming pool, solar energy with inverters and a state-of-the-art international standard astro field.
Reddell’s legacy after 42 years of outstanding service in education was celebrated with a farewell held in his honour on Friday 20 May.
A highlight of the evening was to have the school’s newly appointed principal, Dwain Brown, and his wife, Chantel, among guests. Brown, the current principal of Bredasdorp Primary, will assume his duty as principal at Beaumont Primary as of next month (1 October). The school welcomes Brown to the Beaumont family and is confident he is a perfect fit to its ethos and will carry the Beaumont torch forward with pride.
More intimate celebrations were planned with the school staff only on Friday (23 September), with cocktail attire the order of the day. From Monday (26 September) learners have engaged in fun-filled contact sessions among individual grades, a “meet and greet” with their beloved principal.
