Westside principal bows out in style

Rosalia Petrus, Westside High School

It is with mixed emotions that the Westside community bids farewell to an instrumental leader, teacher and principal. It is a loss to our school, but an indispensable gain for the Swakopmund Circuit. that Mrs Tanya Louw has been promoted to inspector.

Westside High has been in existence for 42 years and Mrs Louw has spent 16 years of her teaching career at this school. In January 2003, Mrs Louw was appointed as a head of department at Westside High. In 2012 she was promoted to principal of Westside High. She served as principal for seven years and eight months until she assumed duty as the inspector of the Swakopmund Circuit on 1 September 2019.

When asked to briefly describe what she had learned during her time as principal, she said: “I learned what leadership meant, such as problem-solving, crisis management, conflict resolution and juggling administrative duties. I have learned that harmony is the bond that keeps the team together. I have seen how learners excel because their parents take an active interest in them. I was humbled by teachers and parents who went beyond the call of duty to make a difference.”

Mrs Louw believes that true teachers do not only impart knowledge but they inspire and guide as well. The highlight of her teaching career at Westside was when learners – now grownups themselves - came back to her and thanked her for making a difference in their lives. When they admitted that they now have a better comprehension of the things she said back then in class. This gesture of gratitude is heart-warming for every teacher.

Another highlight was when learners continually tried to improve on their last performance and when they succeeded in it. The delight on a junior primary learner’s face when she has mastered something; or the happiness of learners at play during break time.

Mrs Viviers, who has been a teacher at Westside for nearly 30 years, said: “I felt like one of my limbs was cut off when I heard the news of Mrs Louw’s promotion, because it meant that she had to leave Westside. Mrs Louw was not only a mentor and leader but also a very good friend. She is stronger than she thinks. May God walk with her every step of the way.”

Mr Ugam said he received the news after his term as acting head of department for the commerce field came to an end. During the period when he served in this managerial capacity, he came to know Mrs Louw as an exceptional leader who takes the human aspect into consideration when making decisions. “I wish I could still learn from her. She is an oasis of so much information and experience,” says Mr Ugam.

During her years of serving Westside High School there has been a tremendous change and we as the Westside High family would like to thank her for her hard work and commitment. Her presence has meant a great deal for the entire school.

Mrs Louw was not just a principal to us; she was a teacher, a mother and a friend indeed. She is to embark on a journey of discovery as the inspector of the Swakopmund circuit. She is renowned for her hard work and commitment towards her work.

Mrs Louw’s parting words to the Westside High family are: “We know how precious our children are to us and that we would literally move mountains to make life easier for them. This is not always in our children’s best interest. Our children need to be resilient so that they can face the difficulties that life put them through.

“Working with the learners has been a great experience for me which I will not soon forget. I will surely miss being in contact with the Westside High community and wish you all the best.”

We as the Westside High community feel honoured to have Mrs Louw as the new inspector. We would like to wish her many blessings and prosperity on her journey of success.