New Head appointed to St Stithians Boys' College: Mr David du Toit
St Stithians College is pleased to announce that Mr David du Toit has been appointed as the new Head of the Boys' College. He succeeds the current Head, Mr David Knowles, who will be taking up the position of Executive Head of Clifton School in Durban, with effect from 1 January 2018.
Below is a letter written by our Rector Dr Tim Nuttall
I am pleased to inform you that I have appointed David du Toit as our next Head of School at the Boys’ College. Mr du Toit will take up this position in January 2018.
David du Toit stood out as the top candidate in a field of excellent applicants and, through a rigorous process, impressed the short-listing and final selection panels. These selection panels consisted of members of the Governance Committee of Council, including the Chair and Deputy Chair of Council, as well as other Council members, two Heads of School at St Stithians, the Head of Human Resources and myself as the Chair.
The search and selection process was wide-ranging and drew interest from a large number of top-quality candidates who are in leadership positions at prominent schools. The stature of St Stithians College as a leading South African school was highlighted through the recruitment process.
David articulates a compelling vision as a transformative educational leader, drawing on his experiences as a teacher at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth (1992-2002), at St Stithians Boys’ College (2003-2007), and as a Deputy Head and then Head at Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng, situated in Phokeng near Rustenburg.
David has a keen sense of the profound impact that schooling has in society, and is excited by the prospect of returning to the school where he was Director of Boarding, Head of History and Master in Charge of Cricket. His experiences at St Stithians and, prior to that at Grey High School, created deep roots in boys’ schooling. For the past ten years, his capacity and impact as a South African educationalist have developed in exciting ways through being part of the senior leadership team at the flagship Lebone II College – a school founded with strong historical ties to St Stithians.
The Final Selection Panel was particularly impressed by David’s leadership experiences in the innovation and transformation projects of Lebone II College, and what these will bring to St Stithians in the next phase of the Boys’ College and the implementation of Strategy 2025. David is a thought-leader in educational best practice.
David du Toit will, through his leadership of the Boys’ College and participation on the College Executive Committee, contribute with significance to the intent of St Stithians to inspire excellence and to make a world of difference.
David’s personal interests and hobbies include reading, sport, music, mountain biking, fishing and travel.
We look forward to welcoming David, his wife Rachel, and their sons Jack and Oliver, as they return – ten years later – to our community.
Yours sincerely
Dr T A Nuttall
Some words from Mr David du Toit, newly appointed Head of the Boys' College
Below is an extract from David du Toit’s application documents.
"I am a passionate South African Headmaster who believes that education and transformation are the golden key to unlocking the potential of individuals from all backgrounds. Each of us has the power to impact our community, which in turn, can impact our country and ultimately our continent.
'South Africa requires much of our great schools. They must continue to be models of excellence that produce ethical young leaders. I believe too, that these schools must impact positively on the broader education landscape in South Africa.
'As an educational innovator and thinker, I am convinced that schooling needs to shift with the times to ensure greater engagement by students in their learning. Our children face challenging times in a world that is rapidly evolving. I believe that our focus needs to be developing young people with values, resilience, openness to inquiry and a confidence in self."
