Perivale Primary School's principal recognised for excellence in leadership

Perivale Primary School principal Nomaxabiso Ndidi-Lewo says she aims to continue strengthening partnerships and encouraging greater parent involvement in the school.

Ms Ndidi-Lewo won an excellence in primary school leadership at the Metro-South District’s teaching awards held at Zwaanswyk Academy on Friday, June 20.

Ms Ndidi-Lewo, originally from Gugulethu, now lives in Kuilsriver.

She has more than 30 years of teaching experience, which includes serving 20 years at Ukhanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele, five years at Parliament Street Primary School in Mfuleni.

She also had a short stint at Khanya Primary School in Phillipi, and has now been principal at the Lotus-river-based Perivale Primary for the past two years.

In the excellence in primary school leadership award, she was recognised for her involvement in numerous projects that made a significant impact on the school and the community.

She is focused on creating a diverse and inclusive school of excellence, fostering strong relationships amongst staff, and empowering school leadership at Perivale Primary School.

"I believe that teamwork makes dreamwork. Everyone should feel valued and included," she said.

Through her curriculum monitoring skills, the school's systemic results have improved. Ms Ndidi-Lewo also helped with strong extra-mural activities at the school with the help of teachers. There is soccer and netball, as well as a marching band, art, and choir programmes at the school.

While Ndidi-Lewo won the excellence in primary school leadership award, the school’s teachers got nominated in various categories at the Metro-South District’s teaching awards.

Perivale Primary School teachers, Nicolene Langner and Jameelah Salie, got nominated in excellence in primary school teaching, while Cheryl Alexander got nominated in excellence in Grade R teaching.

Ms Alexander said she firmly believes that no child should be left behind.

“Along with the school-based support team we help pupils who have barriers to learning and we try to find extra help to help them cope with their barriers,” she said.

Grade 3 teacher Ms Langner said she is always involved with uplifting children.

“As an educator, our role is to lead and show respect,” she said.

She is involved with the girls’ netball team, where she also got sponsors to buy new takkies for them. She was also involved in beautifying the staff room.

“Previously, it was an empty room, so we tried to make it a safe and calming space for the teachers,” she said.

Grade 6 teacher, Ms Salie said her main purpose will always be to educate the young minds.

“I come here to teach and be here for the pupils; we need to invest in them and continue to strive to be a school of excellence,” she said.

Ms Ndidi-Lewo will now take part in the Provincial teaching awards to be held next month, on Tuesday, July 22, at the Cape Teacher Learning Institute in Kuilsriver.

Going forward, Ms Ndidi-Lewo would like her school to have an operating science laboratory and upgrade their computer room to prepare their pupils for the future, to learn about robotics and coding.