Sao Bras Secondary School bids three staff farewell

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - On Friday, 14 June, Sao Bras Secondary School said goodbye to three experienced and beloved colleagues.

They are the principal David Groenewald, deputy principal Debbie Jeffery and educator Alta Lubbinge.

David Groenewald
Groenewald began his teaching career, which spans 40 years and six months, in 1984 at Hillcrest Secondary School, as an educator in the Commerce Department. He was a staff member at Hillcrest Secondary School from 1984 until 2019, when he was appointed principal at Sao Bras. During his time at Hillcrest, he was a devoted administrator, leader and beloved educator. Under his guidance, applications were made for, among other things, English and isiXhosa home language.
At Sao Bras, the hard work continued, and he led his staff with integrity, fairness and professionalism. With his humanitarian attitude, Groenewald was much loved by the learners and staff.
The Sao Bras staff (teaching and non-teaching) and learners express their gratitude to Groenewald for the selfless service rendered to the school and they wish him a blessed and well-deserved retirement.

Debbie Jeffery
After 33 years and six months, Jeffery retires. She returned to her alma mater in 1992 as a German, English and Afrikaans educator. Under her guidance, many learners have been given the opportunity to travel to Europe as exchange students.

Debbie JefferyJeffery received awards, namely the prestigious National Teaching Awards (provincial runner-up) from the Department of Education in 2016. Her colleagues describe her as a beacon of inspiration and a pillar of the education community.Colleagues and former learners gathered to celebrate her career and express gratitude for the profound impact she had on their lives. As one chapter closes, another begins, with her legacy continuing to shape the future of education in a profound and eternal way.
On 25 June, she starts her new job as a trainer and "multiplier" for the Goethe Institute in Johannesburg as part of the Integration and Transition Management (AMIF) project, backed by the European Union. She will train young people from Sub-Saharan Africa, who will live, work or study in German-speaking countries.
She will also offer online classes for the Goethe Centre in Cape Town. The learners, staff and School Governing Body (SGB) wish Jeffery much prosperity and success in her new job and say they will miss her.

Alta Lubbinge
Lubbinge was associated with Sao Bras Secondary for 10 years and six months (2013 to 2024) as a Consumer Studies educator after she and her family returned to South Africa from the Netherlands in 2013.

Alta LubbingeAmong others, she worked in the Netherlands, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Stilfontein and at Point High School, where she taught the subjects, Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences and Life Sciences. Lubbinge is a well loved and excellent Consumer Studies educator, who for the duration of her involvement with the school, whose learners achieved a 100% pass rate in the National Senior Certificate examinations.Through her, many learners are successful individuals who play a positive role in society. Lubbinge was also project manager at QdotPharma (PAREXEL), George, from February 2008 to July 2012. The learners, staff and school governing body wish Lubbinge a well-deserved rest in Germany and enjoyable visits to her children in Scotland.