New principal brings leadership vision to St Augustine's Primary

Harlend Felix, 56, will officially take up the role of principal at St Augustine's Primary School in Wynberg on Monday, July 1, with a commitment to empowering pupils and teachers to become active leaders, he said.

- ROSHAN ABRAHAMS

Mr Felix of Strandfontein will transition into the role after serving as deputy principal at John Graham Primary School in Plumstead for three years and eight months.

His journey to principalship has been a long-held dream — one he had hoped to achieve by age 55. While it came a year later, he believes the timing is perfect, given the wealth of experience he now brings to the position.

"My greatest inspiration to become a teacher was my mother," said Mr Felix, adding that she had always encouraged him to do his best in school and at university.

"I also remember my Standard 4 (Grade 6) teacher telling me, 'You will become someone important one day.' That stuck with me."

Born and raised in Gqeberha, Mr Felix attended Rocklands Primary, Spine Road High, and later Gelvandale High in Port Elizabeth. Teaching runs in the family - he has two brothers and two cousins who are also teachers.