Founding principal hands over reigns

Pupils, staff and parents were overcome with emotion when they said farewell to Claremont High School founding principal, Murray Gibbon.

A special ceremony was held in the school hall, on Friday January 31, celebrated Mr Gibbon’s legacy, as he ended his 14 year journey at the school.

A visionary leader, who took a genuine interest in his pupils, staff and school governing body members. This is how Mr Gibbon was described by numerous speakers who took to the stage last Friday.

Mr Gibbon was the first principal at the mathematics and science focused school. Over the years, he saw the school through many changes, including on the school building, changes in staff, navigating a drought and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his 14 years, Mr Gibbon has had two deputy principals, 13 school camps, attended 56 SGB meetings, overseen 105 staff members, achieved 943 matric passes, held 1 020 assemblies and staff meetings and served as principal for 2 766 days.

Speaking on her 14 year journey with Mr Gibbon, secretary Bridget van Vuuren recalled her first encounter with him when she walked through the school’s gate in 2011.

“He took a chance on me, a stranger from Durban. The early years were a very special time for us and you can be proud of everything you have accomplished at the school. I will cherish the memories and the laughs we had,” she said.

Teacher Laura Lowry attended the same high school as Mr Gibbon and they went on to study mathematics at UCT together. When she heard Mr Gibbon would be the head of the new maths and science focused school, she jumped at the opportunity to work with him.

“I know that it could not have been easy to juggle teaching a senior maths class while being the principal but you wouldn’t have had it any other way. I have always admired your ability to lead with compassion and your relaxed but organised approach,” she said.

Ms Lowry said Mr Gibbon had the ability to see the potential in people, which was evident in his approach to hiring new staff.

Head girl Aaliyah Matthews said it was a bittersweet day, as they said goodbye to the “heart and soul” of the school. She said his leadership had shaped the school to what it is today and said he was not just a principal, but a role model.

Head boy Sibabalwe Ngcetane said he had heard about Mr Gibbon before coming to the school and how he made an effort to remember and call every pupil by their name. He said Mr Gibbon’s ability to remain stable in challenging situations was remarkable.

“You inspired us to aim higher. Your work here is done but your legacy will live on,” he said.

His wife, Dr Lane Gibbon shared how she was giving birth to their daughter Malaika, when the school had just started up.

“Murray would dash between the school and the hospital — which reflected how he balanced his work and family life. He does what he says he is going to do and was able to balance being a principal and a family man. He has so much integrity. What you see here is who he is behind closed doors and we are incredibly proud of him,” she said.

SBG chairman Yusuf Baderoen described Mr Gibbon as a visionary leader, mentor and a person who was dedicated to shaping the lives of his pupils and staff.

“You have led with wisdom and integrity. The school has achieved incredible milestones from academics to teacher successes under your leadership. What sets Mr Gibbon apart is the genuine care he has for people,” he said.

Deputy principal and now acting principal Natalie Niekerk had met Mr Gibbon while working at Westerford High School She recalled how he had gotten into trouble for his choice of clothing — Mandela t-shirts and sandals. When she came to Claremont High School in 2015, she said she had immediately felt at home.

“I could see the genuine concern he had for his pupils. If you told me back then, that we would be saying goodbye to him today, I would have never believed you. I have learnt so much from you and have never once seen you angry or raising your voice. You were never concerned about positions and that showed in that there was never any designated parking or seating. During lunch, you would sit in the staff room and have lunch with the staff. You were a transformative leader and visionary,” she said.

In closing, Mr Gibbon said he had wondered how he would be able to say bye to the school — saying nothing seemed adequate enough. He thanked the staff, pupils and parents for coming on this journey with him, for trusting in him and his vision.

“When I speak about this school, I always talk about two groups. Firstly, the past and present staff and the work we had done and secondly, the pupils about their warmth and integrity,” he said.

His final task was for staff and pupils to take responsibility for the school and called on them to assist Ms Niekerk as takes over the reigns.