Celebrating the Saints Leadership Development Programme Graduates of 2020

December 04, 2020 | Campus | Author: Kim Urquhart - Head of Human Resources

As part of the College Strategy 2025, leadership development is a critical focus for us. In 2018 we celebrated our first group of Saints staff who completed Saints Leadership Development Programme. What has been exciting to see is how many of those that completed the programme in 2018 have move into promotion posts, either at St Stithians or at other schools.

February 2020 saw our second cohort begin their leadership programme journey. Over the past 10 months, the delegates have gone through a detailed programme co-designed and facilitated by JVR Academy. At their first face to face workshop in February, who would have guessed what the rest of the year would hold and that the balance of their interactions would take place online!

The programme included the candidates completing a range of psychometric assessments as part of personal awareness and reflection, group learning blocks covering topics including enhancing EQ and social intelligence, valuing diversity, performance management, strategic thinking and scenario planning along with one on one coaching sessions with an executive coach to help each delegate assimilate their learning and how it applies to them as a leader.

The programme also required the delegates to work in syndicate groups to present on a topic which forms part of our strategic focus and that could be applied back in the workplace. The 3 syndicate project topics included Staff benefits, Stronger One and All Synergy and creating awareness and funding for Thandulwazi. Each of the groups presented their project to the campus leadership team on Monday 30 November where they left us all inspired with their passion and energy for making a difference.

A graduation ceremony was held on the morning of 1 December, attended by the Chair of Council, Carel Nolte and members of the College leadership team to congratulate all the delegates on their participation and completion of the programme.

We would like to congratulate the following 13 brave delegates who, even with all the other challenges thrown at them this year, showed much grit and determination by ensuring that they completed their programme as they set out to in February.

• Wendy Roux – Grade 1 Director (Junior Prep)

• Jan Tanner Ellis – Director of Sport (Girls’ Prep)

• Bonelela Memani –Subject Co-ordinator: IsiZulu (Girls’ Prep)

• Premilla Naidoo – Grade 3 Co-ordinator (Girls’ Prep)

• Nicky White – Deputy Director of Sport (Girls’ College)

• Catherine Dabbs – Director of Academic Administration (Girls’ College)

• Gavin Jelley – Life Science Teacher/ MIC Hockey (Boys’ College)

• Victor Radloff – Science Teacher / Family Unit Head (Boys’ College)

• Thando Bili – Deputy Head of Operations (Operations Department)

• Teddy Booi – Junior Accountant (Finance Department)

• Annie Hitchings – Media, Comms & PR Manager (Advancement Department)

• Edward Rufu – Programme Co-ordinator (Thandulwazi)