In this face-to-face interview with Brendan Carroll – the new Headmaster of Highbury since the beginning of this year – we get up close and personal to find out more about him!
What drew you to Highbury? Highbury is a well-known school in South African Independent Schooling circles, with an excellent reputation. The beautiful Hillcrest environment, the school history, the friendly KZN people and the Christian ethos of the school were the main pull factors.
What do you bring to Highbury from your previous experiences as a headmaster and a parent? I believe my varied experience (high school, primary school, co-ed, monastic, urban, rural, state and independent schools) has helped me to develop a rich feel for the education landscape. I am also a father of two boys who are very different to each other.
Tell us about your professional background. Most of my teaching has been in Cape Town, where I also grew up. I majored in history and physical education and also have a post graduate qualification in art. I was a housemaster at SACS, taught at Claremont Primary and Pinehurst Primary in every Grade from 4 to 7. I left teaching for a few years and was an ordained pastor at a church in Cape Town, during which time I completed a Masters Degree in Theology. I then took up a headmaster position at a state school (Grades R-12) in a deep rural area called Ingwavuma on the Mozambique border. From there we moved back to the Cape, where I was the headmaster of an independent preparatory school called Applewood in Grabouw/Elgin. And that is where we lived until the beginning of this year, when we moved to Highbury.
Tell us a little about your family. My wife Sandy and I went to the same high school, and her father was also my headmaster at primary school. We have been married for 23 years and have two sons – Joshua who is a hooker at the Sharks Academy, and Nicholas who is in Grade 11 at Kearsney College. Sandy is a music teacher and has taught subject music and individual instrumental music from toddlers to university students. Between the four of us, we play at least 10 different musical instruments, so our house can be a bit “noisy” at times. I would describe us as a close family.
How would you describe your school-going self? Wow. I was adventurous and inquisitive, which often got me into a bit of trouble. In Grade 1, I remember getting smacked with a blue wooden bat quite a lot. I was always involved in every activity going, and was mischievous with a good sense of humour, but not malicious. I captained the first rugby and cricket teams, was the school dux and a prefect, so I guess I couldn’t have been too bad.
What book inspires you and why? The Bible, because it is God’s living, relevant and life-transforming word for today.
How do you relax? Reading a good book with a cup of coffee, having a braai with friends, watching rugby or walking the dogs.
What is your favourite music? I have a very eclectic taste – everything from metal to baroque.
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done? Sandy and I left a comfortable, secure, urban life in Cape Town and moved with our young boys into the Lebombo Mountains. We lived in a converted garage with no running water, in a new cultural setting, and helped to develop and grow a school.
What is your best quality? I am an uncomplicated sort of person and an optimist.
What is your worst quality? Being a typical male – I don’t like to stop and ask for directions.
What are you most excited about having joined Highbury? The quality of the staff members and the support of the parent body. It is a school with a good history and an exciting future. I am delighted by the many opportunities available to continue to develop and shape the school as a relevant and happy educational institution.
What do you like most about your profession? It is such a joy to watch children develop into beautiful, confident individuals. I love meeting children years after I have taught them – especially when they introduce me to their own children.
What do you like least about your profession? To be honest, the constant vacillation of the state regarding educational policy. I also dislike lazy, protected teachers who too often bring our wonderful profession and the many fantastic teachers in the country into disrepute.
What do you do for exercise? Currently – not enough! In the past I have participated in many different sports ranging from squash to sailing. I have, however, enjoyed road running the most, and am getting going again after a bit of a break and knee surgery.
What is your favourite sport? No question – rugby.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in the teaching profession? I would probably be pastoring a church, or involved in nature conservation.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of? I always wanted to run the Two Oceans 56km Ultra Marathon. Having now done this, it still feels good because it was a boyhood dream. I’m also proud to have led a rural school to achieve a 100% matric pass (including a pupil who was in the top 10 in KZN).
For more pictures of Brendan and his family visit www.highburyblog.co.za
