VPHS
Long Service
Mr Mike Vermaak
20 Years
Mr Mike Vermaak with wife Annaline and twins Michanne and Xanthe,
on the occasion of the girls’ 21st birthday
If leaders are born and not made, then Mr Mike Vermaak was born to lead. The eldest of four children,
he learnt at an early age to take responsibility for
others. As for all of us born in the aftermath of the
Second World War, life was tough, both financially
and on the streets, and it became second nature to
the young Mike to look out for his two brothers and,
much later, his baby sister.
Mr Vermaak runs Victoria Park High School through
conviction and sheer personality. His leadership
style is responsible for the sense of camaraderie and
enthusiasm that pervade the school. Teachers, office
staff and workers alike feel trusted to go about their
professional duties without “Big Brother” looking
over their shoulders. Our principal is a team-builder; he understands the importance of relationships in
making people feel motivated and in making them
want to follow his leadership. He is a great persuader as well as a good listener. Staff will go the extra
mile for him, because he will go two for them.
These early nurturing instincts have shaped Mike’s
character and made him the compassionate and caring person that he has become. Ask anyone at Victoria Park, whether staff member, learner or parent,
about Mr Vermaak and the words “caring”, “empathetic”, “supportive” or “concerned” will fall from
their lips. In fact, he is perhaps the kindest person I
have ever met. He gladly helps shoulder the burdens
of others, sometimes at the price of his own peace
of mind.
Learners know they will always find a fair and sympathetic hearing from a system of discipline that
has their interests at heart. They may not always get
what they want, but they know that Mr Vermaak’s
door is always open and that their side of the story
will be heard and considered. On the other hand,
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