T2P hands over book prizes
23 November 2021
In October 2021 guests came from as far as Pacaltsdorp in the Eden and Central Karoo Education District (ECKED) to receive their prize of Dr Johann Burger’s new book, “Skoolleierskap en die skep van produktiewe leerruimtes in skole”, as one of five winners of a survey / competition on the impact of T2P.
Three of the five recipients were from the Cape Winelands Education District (CWED) and one from West Coast Education District (WCED).
They were joined by Warda Conrad, her Transform to Perform (T2P) Head Office team and officials such as Deputy Director-General: Institution Development and Coordination, Archie Lewis, former Head of Department, Brian Schreuder.
When proceedings kicked off, it rapidly became apparent that their gathering at Head Office was so much more than coming to collect a book prize. They made it clear that they were, in varying forms and to varying degrees, positively affected by the T2P strategy. Of the hordes of entries received, the recipients, dubbed the magnificent five, were the perfect ensemble of professionals, well mixed in terms of gender and their level of employment from post level one and learning support teachers to primary and secondary school principals. Remarkably, one former principal, Ivor Collins, who had retired on 30 September 2021, and who was so taken by the impact of especially Growth Mindset on his former school, Paulus Joubert Secondary, gifted his winning copy of Dr Burger’s book to the school as a reminder of what they had achieved and a relay baton for the new leadership of the school to continue embracing T2P’s offerings.
Dr Burger’s book exemplifies the importance of strong school leadership and the need for them to bring about creative learning spaces in schools. It offers practical examples and anecdotal evidence of how attractive, usable spaces impact positively on learners – not only in terms of performance but also wanting to come to school. Speaker after speaker resonated the latter. Others seized the moment and lauded the T2P strategy as the perfect vehicle that helped to transform themselves and their thinking. Yet others saw it as an ideal opportunity to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, professionally and personally, including sharing innovative best practices.
The provincial team driving the various T2P offerings felt emboldened by the fact that they had enlisted five more ambassadors - ready to target the head, heart and hands of all whom they would engage with in their respective constituencies. All in all, a great afternoon was had by all!