Head Leader 2024. Like previous years, Schools That Rock interview Head Leaders of High Schools in South Africa. Today we chat with Deputy Head Leader 2024, Daniel Schnackenberg, from Edgemead High School in Cape Town.
Daniel, tell us more about yourself and your leadership. What is your leadership experience?
- I am a Grade 12 student of Edgemead High school. I am in the first team hockey, in the choir, RCL and 1st in my grade. Throughout the years at EHS I have realised that being a leader does not mean to overpower everything. Rather listen and delegate while leading by example. I lead by example, am hard working, manage my time well and listen to my fellow peers when an argument arises. I accept full responsibility for my actions and I accept when I am wrong.
What are your most important values as a leader?
- Some of my most important values as a leader include, trustworthiness, respect, reliability, delegation of tasks, integrity, consultation and sharing wisdom. These values are what makes me a leader and I think without these values you cannot be trusted nor relied on. Therefore I think that a leader without these important traits is not really a leader, but a toxic leader.
Tell us about your personal goals for your leadership year? And for Edgemead High School?
- I would like to learn skills that will help me for my life beyond school. I also want to use my God-given talents to create a safe space for students and teachers. I want to improve skills such as time-management and responsibility. Furthermore I want to gain confidence for the reality of the discomfort of confrontation that will help me way beyond my high school years.
What is your strongest leadership trait?
- Communication, leading by example, living by good values and morals, and working hard are just some of my strongest leadership traits.
How do you get cooperation from your team?
- I engage them as much as possible in the activities that require cooperation. My delegation skills make people want to do their part and want to cooperate. I make participating fun and talk to people to encourage them to do their best which motivates them to do their part to the best of their ability.
If you could be any dog breed, what breed would you be? Why?
- I would most probably be a Golden Retriever! They are very loyal and trustworthy, and I would consider myself to also have these traits! Golden Retrievers know their worth just like I have respect for myself. They are very friendly and approachable and always make someone’s day a lot better by just existing. I am friendly, approachable and make people’s days better by complimenting them and talking positively to them, making them feel good about themselves.
How will you lead your team through change?
- To educate and to explain. Inform your team of the change that needs to be made and explain how it should be implemented. An informed team always works better and with them understanding the end result, they will be motivated and encouraged to do everything in their ability to help one another until the change is reached.
What stands out most to you at Edgemead High School?
- The wide variety of extra-mural activities that our school provides. From hockey to softball, girls’ cricket to table tennis, chess to E-gaming, Robotics club to Interact society and Science club to drama society, Edgemead really has something for literally everyone. Edgemead is constantly pursuing excellence and nurture the student’s ability to soar to great heights.
Who is the person you look up to? Why?
- My grandfather is a great inspiration to me. He was a missionary in the northern parts of KZN and at all times gave his best to further the Christian believe and education by building more than 10 churches and schools in the very rural parts of South Africa. He never gave up. This inspires me everyday to live life more abundantly and when times get tough to still always do my best.
What has been the highlight of your school run track so far? Why?
- Last year I had the great privilege to take part in the large-scale production of Beauty and the Beast where I had the amazing opportunity to play Lumiere the candlestick. It has been the best experience not only in my high school career, but rather in my life! From late nights of rehearsals to full faces of make-up, I do not regret one single moment of it and am very grateful towards Edgemead High school for giving me this great opportunity to explore new talents and soar to great heights!
Daniel, what are you daydreaming about?
- I daydream about receiving 7 distinctions in my final NSC exam. I am first in grade 12 and therefore want to keep that 1st place till the end. With my good work ethics I can definitely achieve this with determination and diligence. I am up for the challenge and ready for the upcoming year.
How will you persuade Grade 7 learners to consider your school from grade 8?
- From Academics to sport to Cultural activities there isn’t much more you could want. I guess you will just have to see for yourself what world class facilities Edgemead has and the amazing Campus I can call my school. I have achieved great success and I know you will too. EHS nurtures your ability to soar and brings out only the best in you.
In which direction do you want to study after school? At which university?
- After school I would love to study Medicine or Biomedicine at either Stellenbosch university, University of Pretoria or in Germany. I am German so that opens a lot more doors for me as I can study in Germany at no additional costs.
How would your friends describe you?
- My friends have described me as a trustworthy and reliable person that is always there for my friends and always put others needs before your own. I am bubbly, outgoing and vibrant and fill every room I enter with positive energy. I give my best in everything I do. I am a very bright and hardworking individual that is caring, outspoken, selfless, reliable, and intelligent. I am very talented and will definitely impact the world greatly with my skills and talents.
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https://www.edgemeadhigh.org.za/
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