Spotlight on Westmont High School

Helene Bam
Justicia Shipena



Student councils often serve an important role as they offer students the chance to utilise traditional and modern resources in an environment that enhances learning.

Westmont High School is a school in Windhoek, which was officially opened in January 2016 with the vision to provide a sound foundation, through devoted effort and in a caring environment that enables children to become productive, capable and caring citizens.

The school started off with four blocks consisting of 14 classrooms, ablution facilities with only grades eight and nine that were being offered. This year the school implemented grade ten and now have grades from eight to ten.

The Zone visited Westmont High School and spoke to the Learners Representative Council (LRC), pupils and staff about challenges they are facing.

Being the third group of LRCs for the school, the student leaders have already made an impact by introducing a sports day.

Head girl Selma Nakanyala said she never imagined being a student leader. She told The Zone she was nervous during the elections and had questions on how she could lead her fellow peers.

“I can perform the tasks given to me to the best of my ability and I don’t use my power in my favour. I believe respect comes from both sides,” she said.

The LRCs all claimed to be a hardworking bunch and that is what makes them stronger to manage conflicts that may arise among learners.

According to the LRCs, learners who do not adhere to the rules are questioned and disciplined through the principal’s office. For extreme misconduct, their parents are called in and the issues discussed with the school’s management.

Zizario Jod is the head boy of Westmont High School. According to him, they also have other ways of dealing with ill-disciplined learners.

“Students get punishment set out for them and inform the teachers concerning their misbehavior,” he said.

Jod further added they resolve conflict amongst learners by involving all LRCs in order to reach a compromise.

“I don’t take sides, we work on what we all agree on and communication is the only thing that could make things easier,” he said.

He admitted that being an LRC member is not easy due to the fact that they have little time for themselves and too have to balance their school work and fulfill their duties as expected.

The LRCs want to uphold a good image by offering good leadership as well organising extra-mural activities in order to bring learners together.

One of the LRC members, Erna Hupita, said that raising funds for the school is a good idea in order to have all the necessary equipment for activities.

The school is also looking at introducing initiatives such as a Maths, spelling bee, clean-up and chess clubs.

On top of this, the school wants to plant more trees as well as introduce a colour festival.

A tour to the Fish River Canyon is also planned, while a school newspaper is also being considered.

‘Mindset’

The school currently has a club called ‘mindset’ which goes hand in hand with life skills. The club deals with giving them strategies on how to change their negative thinking into positive thinking.

Cornelius Veno Zemburuka, the teacher in charge of the club, said that they had volunteers from South Korea who come to the school on Thursdays to give the learners training on mind education, recreation and cultural activities.