• Education

Catching up with St. Paul’s new principal

With about two months of experience at one of the country’s most prestigious schools, Iain Guthrie says teaching was not something he wanted to pursue originally. “I was always interested in science and biology. After completing my masters in science, I was asked to help out a very remote school in the northern part of Kwazulu Natal in 1997 for three months. I did not having any teaching qualification at that time.”

Guthrie did not expect it, but he enjoyed it so much that it led to him getting his teaching diploma. “The school, Nansindlela School, situated in rural area, meant that I had to help with getting resources and funds. I discovered that teaching was my true passion during this time,” he said.

Before Guthrie knew it, the three months originally assigned to him turned into six months and later into eight years at Nansindlela School. “During those eight years, the management approached me to help manage the school, but that idea did not sit well with me as I did not have any experience running a school so I deciding to get experience elsewhere.”

After leaving for England and teaching at Christ's Hospital School, he was exposed to teaching in the science department and once he returned to Nansindlela School, he assisted in establishing the science laboratory. “This helped a lot as I had the experience I gained in England helped me to make decisions regarding the equipment we had to buy,” Guthrie said.

In 2004, he moved to Michaelhouse, an all-boys boarding school in South Africa, before starting at St. Paul’s College. “I have been involved in education for 21 years and when I look back; the one thing that kept me in this industry is seeing the children’s desire of to learn.”

Although the education system has changed a lot over the years, for Guthrie, the challenges children are faced with are still the same. “The technological development that has taken place over the years has had a big impact on children. Schools should focus on equipping children with tools they can use after school because traditional jobs are changing and transforming,” he said.

Guthrie acknowledges that St. Paul’s College has a sound academic foundation and appreciates the high standard that the school has upheld throughout the years. “The school looks at a learner has an individual. We focus on not only academics, but sports and cultural activities as well. It is important that holistic development and education takes place,” he said.

Admitting that he has big shoes to fill, Guthrie has confidence in his abilities and plans on upholding the school’s excellent reputation. “The people and leaders that came before me have done an outstanding job, so it is my responsibility to lead the school and take the school to the next level. What we are trying to do is to create a strategic plan on how to take the school to new heights in the next 50 years.”

Guthrie encourages young people to pursue a career in education. “We will always need good people coming back to the education system as educators and people who invest their lives as teachers. Teaching is a very rewarding career as you can influence people’s lives and have a positive impact on our country.”