New principal brings leadership vision to St Augustine’s Primary

Harlend Felix, 56, will officially take up the role of principal at St Augustine's Primary School in Wynberg on Monday, July 1, with a commitment to empowering pupils and teachers to become active leaders, he said.

Mr Felix of Strandfontein will transition into the role after serving as deputy principal at John Graham Primary School in Plumstead for three years and eight months.

His journey to principalship has been a long-held dream - one he had hoped to achieve by age 55. While it came a year later, he believes the timing is perfect, given the wealth of experience he now brings to the position.

“My greatest inspiration to become a teacher was my mother,” said Mr Felix, adding that she had . always encouraged him to do his best in school and at university.

"I also remember my Standard 4 (Grade 6) teacher telling me, ‘You will become someone important one day.’ That stuck with me.”

Born and raised in Gqeberha, Mr Felix attended Rocklands Primary, Spine Road High, and later Gelvandale High in Port Elizabeth. Teaching runs in the family – he has two brothers and two cousins who are also teachers.

His journey in education began with a desire to be a role model, not just for children, but for adults as well. While studying, he became increasingly familiar with school dynamics and immersed himself in leadership roles in his church, school, and community.

He currently serves on the executive committee of the Catholic Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.

Mr Felix taught at St Agnes Primary in Woodstock for 13 years and always aspired to work at a Catholic school.

“I had previously applied for a teaching position at St Augustine’s but didn’t get it at the time. It’s amazing how things have come full circle.”

His vision aligns with that of the Western Cape Education Department: to provide quality education to every pupil in every classroom.

He is currently enrolled in a leadership course through the Principal’s Academy Trust, affiliated with the Graduate School of Business (GSB). The programme includes a mentorship component for new and aspiring principals, focusing on building effective systems and structures within schools.

“After completing the course, I plan to implement what I’ve learned at St Augustine’s. These methods worked under the leadership of Andre Engel at John Graham, and I believe they’ll benefit this school as well,” said Mr Felix.

He emphasised a holistic approach to education that develops learners academically and through leadership opportunities such as becoming prefects, ICT monitors, house captains in sport, and leaders in cultural activities.

He said the integration of technology was important.

“ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is also crucial. We need to integrate technology into our lessons. The curriculum is evolving, and so are our learners," he said, adding that reading should be instilled in pupils and teachers. 

While Mr Felix’s long-standing motto has been "hard work pays off", he now lives by a more evolved mantra: "To get up, to dress up, to show up, and to do your best," he said.

“Children need role models. If they don’t find them at home, they must find them in their principals and teachers.”

Married for 27 years to Chrichana, who is a teacher and head of department at St Augustine’s, Mr Felix is also a proud father of two children, aged 23 and 17.