SGB

Mr Cedric Poleman – Headmaster
Mrs Yumna Cunningham – Chairperson (Parent Representative)
Mrs Dhilshaad Mohamed-Baba – Treasurer (Parent Representative)
Mr Zaid Samaai – Deputy Treasurer (Parent Representative)
Mrs Sam Centurier-Harris – Parent Representative
Mr Terence Mentor – Parent Representative
Mrs Simone Isaacs – Educator Representative
Mr Marc Sabatta – Educator Representative
Mr Allen Gerber – Non-Educator Representative
Mr Grantley Rhode – Deputy Headmaster: co-opted

We continue to drive change while maintaining our traditional values and implementing our newer values: innovation, excellence, growth and relevance.

“I distinctly recall the excitement at the beginning of 2024 – it was palpable. We were no longer “uncertain” or “pivoting”. We had moved on, progressed…. and 2024 has not disappointed.

The school has maintained its outstanding academic systemic results and continues providing a thorough, solid education offering; the foundation the boys need to reach their fullest potential. 

A large contributing factor to this success is the continuous professional development of staff in non-traditional and innovative technologies such as coding, robotics, curriculum implementation, team building, reading implementation programmes and the reinforcement of the WBJS Values.  

To ensure that the boys are comfortable and confident in a more digital world, WBJS has also put its best foot forward and applied to be a pilot school for Technology enhancement, namely CleverTouch screens, Chromebooks and Coding programs.

The year has also seen steady interaction with WGJS which presented an opportunity for the boys to build on their social skills. Other collaborations across the campuses included a robotics competition between WGJS and WBJS and campus choral and music programmes, such as the Combined Campus Coral Concert, Campus Orchestral Concert and the Sunset Concert. The campus’s management functions have also been working together to find new efficiencies in the ways in which they operate.

The school hosted a successful Grey tour in 2024 with the highest commendations on hospitality from the visiting staff and parents. I’m sure we are all looking forward to touring to Gqeberha in 2025. Many boys have competed in tours across the sports codes, and across the country this year. They have always shown themselves to be ambassadors of the highest calibre for WBJS.

The Culture Department has also been busy with Art and Drama Exhibitions, Jazz Festivals, Concerts for the Aged, the annual Arnold Loerie Concert, and many more.

Physical amenities have also been upgraded and maintained to facilitate further transitions into the future. The cricket turf has been redone and we hope the investment secures us a spot to host the Cape Schools Cricket Week in the next year or two. Classroom upgrades have been completed throughout the Intermediate Phase with shelving, whiteboards, murals and fans, and the Music facilities have been renovated and repurposed to add additional teaching rooms. While new improvements are made, building maintenance remains ongoing to shore up the integrity of our existing buildings, such as the maintenance project to the roof to the Arnold Loerie Hall.

The Early Act Club has improved their membership and we’ve seen an increase in boys participating in initiatives, drives and collections. More encouragingly, are the increased numbers of boys we’ve seen who have voluntarily participated in outreach programmes in their own private capacity. 

We also started with a new SGB term in 2024, and I would like to express my appreciation to the parents who have entrusted this SGB in the oversight and governance role of the school. We will do our best to fulfil our mandate.

At the speed at which the year has flown by, surely, we should all attest that the future is here. These bold steps that we take together each year builds the momentum with which the WBJS community entrenches itself in forging its brightest future. There is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” 

I’d like to thank the dedicated staff, learners, parents, custodians and SGB for their unwavering commitment and support in achieving all the successes of 2024″.

Mrs Yumna Cunningham