Curro Helderwyk. In our series on schools’ head leaders for 2023 Schools That Rock chat to Valencia Phiri. Valencia, Head Girl of Curro Helderwyk High School for 2023, tells us more about herself and her leadership.
“I, Valencia Phiri am a quiet but loud individual. I always look for the good in everything and also wish to make the people around happy. My leadership embodies this, to lead with a kind heart. I believe in creating a safe environment for me and the people around me to grow to the best of their ability.
creating a safe environment for me and the people around me to grow to the best of their ability.
My personal goal for next year is to achieve academic colours as well as cultural colours. I also want to achieve the honour to attend the Curro create Cape Town krypcon. Most importantly I want to create lasting memories.
My goals for Curro Helderwyk, during my term of service, is to make my school an environment where one can change and evolve without fear of rejection. I also want to bring back the pride in the school and become a person people can not only look up to, but also be to rely on.
Biggest struggles
One of my biggest struggles as a learner of Curro Helderwyk, was my inability to be myself. When you enter high school, you are automatically placed in a box. I was placed in the “smart girl” “nerd” box. But I was never satisfied. I wanted to be big and loud, but that didn’t fit under the label I was given. I always found myself not being to stick to my label. This resulted in me becoming what I call a shapeshifter.
I was always trying to shape myself into the opinions, interests, and thoughts of others. It is only now that I look back that I can see how much I’ve grown. I may be able to say I have every right to be big and loud when I want to be. I can also be small and silent when I want to be. It is my choice because I choose who I am.
What stands out most to me at Curro Helderwyk, is that the school is filled with different types of people from different backgrounds. They are all telling their own stories in their own unique way.
Inspiration
I try to find inspiration in the things around me, but I believe my biggest inspiration is my mother. My mom is not just a single mom, but a strong, beautiful woman. She has filled my life with lessons and love I wish to share with the people around me. In the way that she carries our family, the way she provides and cares for everyone around her and in the way that she is selfless and humble. She also carries a heart of gold if I may say. You can tell I am a mommy’s girl.”
You’re a kitchen article? What are you and why? “I do not enjoy cooking at all. If I am to think of myself as a kitchen article, I would be a pot that holds everything and everyone together. Because even in the boiling, I always try to keep a clear head and focus on the good.
My friends would describe me as a kind, heart-warming and accepting person with a pinch of weirdness.
My family, my friends but most importantly future Valencia, motivate me to achieve my goals. I want to become a person that the person I am today will be proud of. Someone people can look up to and that motivates me to go beyond my limits, push, change, evolve and grow in all ways possible.
Curro Helderwyk, my school
I would advise learners to also become part of my school because I believe Curro Helderwyk is a place where I was able to be myself and still be accepted and heard. My school encourages Ubuntu, and it is this that has made me become the person I am today. The teachers who are constantly challenging me to do better, always welcoming students with open arms. They are sharing words that will forever remain engraved in my heart. They are also an inspiration that greatly impacted my life. Curro Helderwyk leads with the heart, and I believe every learner needs to experience that.
My favourite teacher is my primary School Life science teacher, Mrs Dinner. She has this beautiful way in which she interacts with people around her. She’s not afraid of being weird and different. She was one of the people who helped me become comfortable with myself. She also encouraged me and always made me feel better about any situation. Her passion for teaching is amazing and I absolutely love her to bits!
My future goals are to become a powerful, outspoken, classy, and kind-hearted women. In order to become this person, I believe there is no set goal for me but to explore our world and educate myself.”
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