Blue school bids farewell to beloved leader

During his 12 years as the principal of Windhoek High School (WHS), Hawie Engels has undoubtedly made an incredible impact on hundreds of learners’ lives at the blue school.

The news of Engels’ departure drew kind words from learners, teachers and parents alike as Dr Chrisna von Gericke-Fourie, a former learner, wife of a former learner and parent to three sons who also proudly call this school their alma mater, took to social media to share a touching farewell message.

“The development which took place in our forming years, through both good and challenging times, was precious and we praise God for the privilege to be part of the blue school. We were part of the season when Hawie Engels was appointed as principal at WHS. We were convinced then, and still now, that he was the right man and God's chosen leader for the role and time. “His dedication to creating ongoing stability in the school to ensure optimal growth opportunities for learners was valuable and important. He gave hope to many people in the country. The fact that he followed God's directions openly played a big role in the success of the school,” she shared.

Engels will retire next month, but explained that he could not part with the school community yet and will still be involved with the school and its learners as well as parents.

Engels plans to be a mentor and motivational speaker at schools nationwide, using the WHS community as a launch pad after enjoying a well-deserved extended December holiday.

“I would very much like to farm next year to clear my head, but have decided to implement a mentoring programme with our current school board. I am going to take long leave in the first part of the year. Thereafter, I will be involved in WHS’s mentoring programme,” he said.

“I think it would be a good opportunity to start it at the school and perhaps expand it later.”

A lifelong educator

After completing his studies and military service, Engels promptly took up his occupation as a teacher at WHS, unaware of the future role he would fulfill at this school. In this time, he was also appointed as a head of department.

He subsequently relocated from the central part of the country to rural Namibia, touching young lives at an outdoor school at Aus. He then went on to work in the private sector for more than a decade and a half.

Engels’ career came full circle when he was reappointed at WHS, this time to act as the school principal.

Moving forward

He said he believes that the overwhelming pressure the current education system places on teachers inhibits their ability to pay full and mindful attention to the holistic development of learners. An education system’s focus on holistically developing learners may be the difference between developing responsible and co-operative citizens and merely equipping learners for their academic evaluations, he added.

“I believe in a holistic approach to education. I think you should look at being human, which is the body, soul and spirit.

“Social development is also important. A learner can be academically strong and get a spot at university, but then struggle to adapt in a large group. So, these are all facets that must be taken care of in education,” Engels said.

He hopes that his mentorship efforts will prove supplementary to the education system at a time when educators are in desperate need of support.

“I don't think people realise the tremendous pressure on teachers. You have to look at all aspects – fast and slow learners, and the emotional aspect - but there is not always time because you only have so many teaching hours, so you have to push to finish.”

For Engels, his shift to being a full-time motivational speaker promises to be a seamless transition, thanks to his prior experience and his reputation as a motivator to his learners at WHS.

He expressed ardency to aid in cultivating young minds that are able to not just perform academically, but are able to function as responsible and respected members of society.

“One spends a lot of time on areas such as academics and sports, but I don't think we always look at the mental health of our children and life coaching. This is something I did for many years before I became a principal.”

Currently, and for the interim until a suitable candidate is ready to take up the challenge of taking the reins from Engels, WHS’s current vice-principal Dinette de Beer will act as the principal from 1 January 2023.

De Beer also currently serves as the head of the blue school’s commerce department.

Having been established in February 1917, WHS is one of the oldest schools in Namibia and is very proudly the home of the Vegkop Stadium.