New headmaster of Rhenish Primary School Alex Hall says the warm welcome he received in Stellenbosch has been on virtually every level, and appreciates the wonderfully good hearts he encountered in the midst of the hot weather on his first day.
“The Rhenish and local community and people have really made me feel welcome and at home from the outset,” he said. “I look forward to working with everyone from the staff and learners to the community.”
Born in Zimbabwe, Hall received his schooling at Dale College in King William’s Town, where he would later return to begin his teaching career as a Grade 5 teacher. He completed his tertiary training at the University of Port Elizabeth, now Nelson Mandela University, and obtained a B Ed degree.
Hall brings with him more than 25 years’ experience in different positions in the educational environment.
“My first post was at Dale Junior, where I attended as a youngster, for about two years and then went to St George’s Prep School,” he related.
“I then moved to Woodridge Prep for 10 years as director of sport, before moving to Cordwalles Preparatory for Boys in Pietermaritzburg for four years as housemaster of the boarding house.
“I then accepted a position as deputy head at Uplands Preparatory School in White River for two years, before the position of Campus Head at St George’s Prep came my way.”
Regarding why he chose Rhenish and Stellenbosch, Hall said he enjoys a challenge and change.
“I was at St George’s for just under seven years, and I feel what I wanted to achieve I did. I always wanted to come to the Western Cape and was excited when this position came up. I had been here before for sport tours and I knew of the school before. The challenge of a bigger school was also exciting.”
His philosophy of teaching is to strike a balance among mind, body and soul.
“It is important that we cultivate and balance the mind, which is academics and curiosity, the body, which is sport and physical education and a healthy lifestyle, and the soul, which is one’s faith, music, art and culture, in order to develop the learner’s full potential.
“I am grateful for this job, my vision for Rhenish is to be a leader in co-education in the country. And with an incredible staff and amazing learner corps we will achieve it.”
