We chat to newly appointed principals Franzl Bause (F) of St Christopher’s Private School and Mark Berndt (B) of Cambridge High School about their new journeys and their plans for 2025.
Q: Can you share a bit about your journey in education and how it has prepared you for this role?
A: F: I have taught at state and private schools and have served on eight school management teams over 30 years in different capacities. I have been part of a number of ISASA schools having being housemaster at Cordwalles Prep in Pietermaritzburg for nine years and deputy headmaster at Woodridge Prep just outside Gqeberha for six years. I was principal for the past nine years at St Francis College, Yellowwoods Prep, Kingdom Academy and St Dominic’s Primary in Welkom.
B: I began my career at Cambridge High School in 1991 as a teacher of history and geography. I have been head of sport and the extracurricular programme, a grade head, first team rugby and cricket coach and deputy principal. Through all of these roles, I have learnt a great deal. The mentorship of previous headmasters, Grassey Buitendag, and Spencer Welman, as well as supportive colleagues, has taught me a great deal.
Q: What drew you to the school, and what excites you most about becoming its new principal?
A: F: The beauty of the surrounding area, the vision and enthusiasm of the Van Daalen family who are involved in leading three schools in the Eastern Cape and the opportunity to influence young lives spiritually.
B: I love and respect the Cambridge community and am excited to continue to develop Cambridge High as a school that meets the needs of the community that it serves as we continue to build on the existing foundations of respect and integrity.
Q: Are there specific areas you aim to focus on?
A: F: All areas are important, but my focus will be on young people finding their identity, using their God-given talents to the full and seeing learning as a lifelong pursuit.
B: I would like to afford every child at Cambridge the opportunity to fulfil their potential and to participate in as many activities as possible in order for them to discover where their talents lie.
Q: Looking at how previous principals handled their leadership, are there any elements that you will be implementing or do differently?
A: F: I am very relational, so it is important to maintain cordiality with parents and staff. My mantra is ‘The quest for excellence but the freedom to make mistakes’. I cannot tolerate apathy or laziness, but enthusiasm is often squashed for fear of failure. At St Christopher’s, our motto is ‘Carpe Diem’ which means to seize the day. We must give it our all every day.
B: I have learnt an incredible amount from the previous principals. I intend to uphold the values of Cambridge High while building on the firm foundation which has already been laid.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing schools today?
A: F: There far too much reliance on social media which can lead to bullying and a lack of self-image. Parents have become over-demanding, expecting the teachers to work miracles when they themselves have been absent from their children’s lives. We have to work in partnership with parents, otherwise youngsters will never take accountability for their actions.
B: We are living in a society that has become impatient. It is expected that everything should be instant. Tempering these expectations is important. Consistent hard work, commitment and involvement are important and help to form a good work ethic.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave at the school?
A: F: I have enjoyed an incredible career, and I plan to end with bang not a whimper.
B: My vision would be for Cambridge High to continue to be a school that prioritises integrity and meets the needs of the community while offering a relevant and outstanding quality of education.
Q: What message would you like to share with the pupils, parents, and staff as you begin this new chapter?
B: I am looking forward to working together with the staff, pupils, parents/guardians and the wider community to keep Cambridge High in the forefront of education in East London. Exciting opportunities lie ahead for us all.