New Head appointed to St Stithians Boys' Prep
The Rector of St Stithians College, Dr Tim Nuttall, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jakes Fredericks as the 6th Head of the Boys’ Prep.
An educationalist of 22 years standing, Jakes taught at four schools in Cape Town before moving to Johannesburg in 2002. He joined Pridwin Preparatory School as a Head of Department, teaching Maths and Science, and then moved to The Ridge School where he taught Science and headed up the marketing and diversity portfolios. Since 2008, he has been a Deputy Head at St Stithians Boys’ Prep.
Qualified to teach in both primary and secondary schools, Jakes has a Bachelor of Education Honours degree in school management. In 2011 he completed the postgraduate Leadership Development Programme at the Wits Business School, and in 2013 attended The Art of Leadership course at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
The pool of final candidates was drawn from significant schools across the breadth of Southern Africa. The selection process involved a rigorous and extensive process of interviews and presentations.
Jakes is passionate about values-based education. He articulates a strong vision of boys’ education which is academically rigorous, holistic, diverse and engaged. He advocates an educational offering which is planned according to core principles and data-rich information. He emphasises the quality and commitment of teachers as being at the heart of educational excellence, with opportunities for meaningful and effective staff development. He is a strategic thinker who articulates a leadership style which is both aspirational and inclusive. Included in Jakes’ skill set and world view, and significant for our College at this point in its history, are the experiences and insights he brings to transformation as a black South African.
Jakes Fredericks is the 51st teacher employed at St Stithians College to be appointed to the position of a head of school. St Stithians can be justifiably proud of this remarkable record of creating opportunities for the personal growth of potential school leaders.
Jakes is married to Tania, who heads up the Information Communications Technology (ICT) programme at St Stithians Junior Prep. Jakes is a sports enthusiast and his creative side is stimulated by his artistic abilities, in particular his love of sketching.
Jakes will assume office in July 2015. He takes over from Alistair Stewart who, after fifteen years of leadership in this role, has been appointed as the first Director of the St Stithians College Advancement Office. The Advancement Office will work closely with the Rector’s Office to build a community of belonging at St Stithians and to promote the long term sustainability of the College.
