He’s retiring at the end of the year and determined to make memories to last before he clocks out for the last time. . .
Excitement was running high at Cape Recife High School when Principal Jacques Hugo celebrated his 65th birthday with them on May 20.
Hugo was first appointed as deputy principal of the school in 1997, and then as principal, 10 years ago.
Over the years he has exhibited a passion for learners with special educational needs and is a keen activist in promoting the ability of the learners at the school and their ability to be active and productive members within society.
He has a liking for sport, in general, and rugby, in particular, having served as a national rugby referee and in recent years as the chairperson of the EP Rugby Referees Association, a position he held for a number of years until early May 2021. At present, he is one of the few SARU referee performance reviewers in the country.
On Thursday, May 20, Hugo was greeted by a fittingly long guard of honour formed by the learners and educators. On his walk he was accompanied by his wife and the school therapy dog, Orson, much to the delight of the learners.
Members of staff were treated to refreshments at two sit-down functions, where learners and staff provided items of entertainment. Hugo was then treated to lunch by senior staff members and members of the school governing body. He was whisked away in a 1974 red convertible Mercedes Benz, sporting a licence plate that read: ‘65 TODAY’.
This particular was made special, not just because he is retiring at the end of the year, but also because he is the same age as the school he has come to love so much.
PE Express reported on March 3 about Cape Recife High School celebrating its 65th birthday on March 1.
The celebration was a bittersweet event for Hugo, being his last one.
“I’ve been around a while, but there are staff members who have been here longer than me.
“We tend to come here and not want to go away,” he concluded.
