Page 3 - Boksburg High School yearbook 2017

Principal’s Report

I refer to the yearbook of 2012 where Mr J. du Plessis started of his foreword with the words of John Denver:
“Some days are diamonds and some days are stones.” That, indeed, is the life of a principal, summed up in
one sentence.

This edition of our yearbook is dedicated to Mr du Plessis our principal of 25 years, who retired at the end of
February 2017.

Being a deputy at Boksburg High School, my office was next to Mr du Plessis’. I often listened to the
interaction he had with boys. During these conversations he fulfilled the roles of a father, a councillor, a
psychologist and a principal. What always stood out to me was that somewhere during all the conversations
he had, the lesson that a true man treats women (people) with the utmost respect came about. This respect,
he clearly stated, should be learned at home, starting with the mother. Not once did I overhear a
conversation in which this message was not communicated very clearly to the learners.

He often apologized to the staff (which consists mainly of women) about the way in which boys and parents
were disrespectful towards them. In my opinion, “respect for people” was the armour Mr du Plessis wore
during his 25 years at Boksburg High School. He respected every person he came in contact with.

I think the character of Mr du Plessis is summarized by the words of Michelle Obama: “Strong men - men who
are truly role models - don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful. People who are
truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.”

Boksburg High School thanks Mr du Plessis for the 25 years he spent here. May the Lord bless him with a well-
deserved retirement - one that exists only of diamonds, because the stones he dealt with as the principal of
Boksburg High School, are now behind him.

Thanks to Mrs Doubell for her time and hard work putting this yearbook together. She has done a fantastic
job and on behalf all senior staff we want to say how proud we are of the finished article. We really hope
every person who touches it, enjoys it for many years to come.
- Mrs H. Boshoff, Principal

Mr G. Wrigley (Deputy Principal), Mrs H. Boshoff (Principal), Ms J. Hopkins (Acting Deputy Principal),
and Mrs E. Haahjem (Acting Deputy Principal).

Boksburg High - The Journey 2017
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