Principals and deputies of girls\u2019 schools across the country congregated at the grounds of Rustenburg Girls\u2019 High School in Rondebosch earlier this month for the annual South African Girls\u2019 Schools Association (Sagsa) Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hosted by three schools \u2013 Rustenburg Girls\u2019 High School (RGHS), Sans Souci Girls\u2019 High School and Rustenburg Girls\u2019 Junior School (RGJS) \u2013 and sponsored by Standard Bank and the National Department of Tourism, the conference ran from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each year, a city gets to host the conference, but with the event having been held virtually while the Covid-19 lockdown regulations remained in place, last week was the first time in two years that principals got to meet in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phillipa Erasmus, President of Sagsa, says it was amazing to be able to connect with colleagues face-to-face. She says the importance of such an event is twofold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFirstly, the sharing of information allows for the learning from others of the best practice which is being implemented in their schools, this is empowering and developmental. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSecondly, it is heartening to hear and know that each of us is not alone in the challenges we are experiencing . . . the information sharing has equipped us with some more tools to be able to facilitate these matters and strengthen our schools even more.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sagsa is an association of girls\u2019 schools, both public and private, across South Africa, all of whom have the common goal of educating young women to become strong leaders of the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the conference\u2019s theme being sustainability in education, the conference focused on the four pillars of sustainability, namely human, social, economic and environmental sustainability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three days were jam packed with speakers, prizes, breakaway sessions and networking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cocktail evening and a gala evening, hosted by stand-up comedian Mel Jones, also formed part of the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belinda Petersen, RGJS principal and Sagsa secretary, says the feedback from delegates have been heartwarming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe wanted to create an experience that allowed principals and deputy principals to learn from each other and have space to connect and feel special. And that definitely was the case!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the conference, Petersen hosted a panel discussion on social sustainability in schools with Anne van Zyl, Selwyn Page and Neville Ontong. She says the panellists and speakers harnessed the importance of schools working collaboratively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c(They) urged school leaders to embrace the challenges of our diverse, ever-changing world. We were reminded to lean on one another and meaningfully engage with stakeholders,\u201d says Petersen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She adds that collaborating on such a massive project with the conference hosts schools helped them to rely on each other\u2019s strengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing able to work together with RGHS and Sans Souci as the organising committee has strengthened relationships between the three schools as we all endeavour to provide quality education to the learners. Of course, we shared lots of laughter and learning among ourselves too,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael Gates, Principal of RGHS, describes the opportunity to have worked with the principals and their staff from the other two schools as a privilege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am extremely proud of the Rustenburg Girls\u2019 High support staff who pulled out all the stops to ensure the conference ran smoothly and that all delegates felt welcome and catered for.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gates believes sustainability is more about the actions taken rather than just the information gathered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is encouraging to see the commitment of the girls schools of South Africa to building a sustainable future, leading by example,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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