Term 2, 2025 Principal's Address
7/18/2025
Dear Heather Secondary School Community
Dear Heather Secondary School Community, It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the second edition of our 2025 newsletter. As we begin Term 3, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, our learners, educators, parents, guardians and alumni, for your continued support and partnership. The first half of the year has laid a strong foundation, and together, we now look forward to building on this momentum as we strive for even greater success. Strengthening Our Team As Heather Secondary continues to grow, so too does our commitment to academic excellence and innovation. We are pleased to announce several new staff appointments:
Mrs NR Mtetwa joins us as the new Department Head of Commerce, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh insight.
Mr RJ Pillay has been appointed as Acting Department Head for Services/Technology, where his proven leadership will strengthen this important department.
Miss NP Buthelezi joins as a Level 1 Educator, bringing enthusiasm and a learner-centred approach to the classroom.
We are also delighted to welcome:
Eight Educator Assistants, appointed through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), who provide essential classroom support.
Eight young professionals via the YES Programme, who are assisting with various school operations while gaining valuable experience in the education sector.
Academic Focus and Support
The mid-year examinations, which began on 9 June, have been a significant milestone. I commend our educators for their resilience and dedication in preparing tailored examination papers, ensuring assessments remain relevant to the curriculum covered. To further support our learners, a special Academic Intervention Programme will be held on Saturday, 26 July, aimed at addressing learning gaps and reinforcing academic foundations as we enter the latter half of the year.
Celebrating Holistic Excellence
Heather Secondary continues to foster excellence beyond the classroom
Our Athletics Team secured an impressive 3rd place overall at the Interschool Athletics Competition, a reflection of discipline and teamwork.
In debating, our Senior Debate Team emerged as champions in the Senior Debate League, showcasing critical thinking and confident expression.
Our Chess Club continues to grow, promoting strategic thinking and focus through regular competitions.
Congratulations to Aryik Bhundoo, selected to represent Heather Secondary in the Umgungundlovu Table Tennis League, a testament to the diverse talents within our school.
Looking Ahead: Celebrating 45 Years of HeatherSecondary
As we continue to shape the present, we are also preparing to celebrate a significant milestone in our school’s history. In 2026, Heather Secondary will mark its 45th anniversary—a time to reflecton our journey since 1981 and honour the generations of learners, educators, and community members who have contributed to our legacy.
In celebration of this milestone, we will begin the work of welcoming our alumni back home to Heather, reconnecting with past learners and staff, and creating opportunities to share stories,experiences, and lessons that inspire the next generation. This will be a moment of celebration,reflection and renewal as we look towards the future of our school. We invite all members of the Heather community—past and present—to join us on this journey, helping us to build stronger connections and continue our tradition of “By Concord and Harmony.”
Commitment to Community
We are humbled by the overwhelming response to our Grade 8 applications for 2025, with over 400 applications received for just 220 places. This reflects the trust and confidence that families place in Heather Secondary, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing each learner’s potential.
We move into Term 3 with unity, vision, and shared purpose—empowering learners to succeed academically, grow personally, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Yours by concord and harmony,
Mr S Reddy
Principal
Heather Secondary School