Head Girls 2023. In our series on schools’ Head Girls 2023,Schools That Rock chat with Natasha Chichava. Natasha, Head Girl for 2023 of Waterstone College, tells us more about herself and her leadership.
“I am born to Mozambican parents who I give a lot of credit to for who I am today. I am just an ordinary learner trying to make it through high school with a normal sleep schedule. Currently I am the House captain of Clegg house and the previous vice-captain. Now I am Captain of the first team soccer girls. I have also been in Waterstone College since grade 7. Along with, I consider it a good thing because I didn’t need to go into high school as too much of a new student. I never thought I was a lover of sports until I found myself on the football field with the right coach and teammates.
Furthermore I have participated in both the English and Afrikaans spelling bee and I am quite shy despite what people would like believe. I don’t believe I have a specific way of leading, I have just never been a follower. At this stage I am still trying to figure out my life at this point but I have grown a whole lot more in so many ways since grade 8, or even in grade 10. I just lead to see others succeed but most importantly, grow in whatever way they may.
Personal goals
My personal goals for 2023 as Head Girl : I have set high standards for my academic results which begins now in my final exams for grade 11. I am looking to, as vice-captain, now turned captain of the first team soccer girls. I push this team further than what we have achieved during the Curro Cup tournament and the league this year. We experienced many losses as a team, but many more wins, memories and joys. That was only possible through the work we put into this team and I would love to lead such a team again. I also see myself exploring new avenues. Throughout the prefect selection process, I have learned that I have a way with words. Most importantly, my goal is to live every day better than I did yesterday.
My biggest goal for my school as Head Girl 2023, is to make sure that everyone feels heard. I don’t want to be the leader that instructs, sits back and watches. I’d rather be the leader who sees what needs to be done. Also goes through the challenges needed to get there and sees the fruits of the hard work my team has put in. A win is all the more worth it when you have dedicated yourself to achieving it. I want to be able to bring a good culture of hard work and dedication in the grade 8s of next year. I may not be able to reach everyone, but if I can make a significant impact in the life of one person, I will be satisfied.
Biggest challenges
The biggest challenges I experienced as learner of Waterstone College, was coming from a government school where I had minimal competition. Academically I struggled to keep up with the students that I felt were so intelligent. I was also in an aftercare my whole primary school career. Changing from getting all the structure to having to learn to find discipline on my own, was and still is a struggle. I also began to get leadership opportunities which involves pressure and responsibilities that I needed to learn to navigate.
What stands out most at our school, is the people. We have such extraordinary people in our school. All from different backgrounds, traditions and religions. All are coming together to stand on the pillars of faith, integrity, respect and excellence. The people of this school continue to set new bars in the classroom, on the sports field and on those stages. Every person is a different definition of excellence.
Inspiration
I am looking up for inspiration and mentorship to my parents. They worked their way up all on their own. Neither one of them have completed high school. My father tells me stories of how he used to drive around in his bakkie selling tyres to whoever would buy them. Catching taxis to work in a pizzeria and holding more than two jobs to provide for us. I didn’t experience the lifestyle of living, as four in a one-bedroom house and moving from rented room to rented room because my parents worked so hard.
Walking long distances to school was not in my life. People my age still experience that and I don’t take that for granted. My dad was the provider of his family, working in construction at age 14. My mom had to go to school, get home to cook and then leave for work again. Where they both found the time to do their homework and study for tests is beyond me. That is the one thing that has kept me humble. My mother has always told me that everything that we have is by the grace of God. I don’t think I would appreciate everything and understand the importance of hard work if I didn’t have such parents.
Should I be a kitchen article? I would be a pressure cooker. I work well under pressure, being able to produce good results in the presence of it.
My friends would describe me as trustworthy, loyal, disciplined, strong, brutally honest, stubborn and funny (it depends on who you’re asking).
Over the years, I have grown enough to know, or at least have an idea of what I want. When you begin going through that journey, you have all the motivation to achieve those goals but motivation is fleeting. You cannot solely rely on motivation to reach your goals in life but rather on discipline to keep going after your goals. I am definitely still navigating my way through life but I believe that I will get there.
Come to Waterstone College
I would advice learners to join our school because this school challenges you in ways you could never imagine. You also may meet different kinds of people in all schools but you will never say that this school didn’t push the limits of your capabilities. I have seen people experience their fair share of drama, friendships, academic struggles (I know that I have). You will also leave Waterstone College with wisdom and expectations. Waterstone College is a place where you either have to step up or miss everything you want to achieve. You will be uncomfortable but if you want to be comfortable, you will watch yourself in the same place your entire life.
To choose from all my favourite teachers is difficult, but I would say Miss Rassack is my favourite teacher. In the years that she has been at the school, she has established herself so well into the school’s brand. She represents the prefect committee, one of our high school houses (Fordyce) and has made her way into management. Miss Rassack is also so much like a mother to all of us. She takes care of anyone who is willing to be taken care of. She also has such a lovely way of letting things go that it amazes me how she can get over situations so quickly. Miss Rassack really has a good heart.
My future plans are to study Chemical Engineering. Then hopefully getting a few other degrees in the far future, but it honestly could change over time. I do know that I want to be able to be proud of the decisions I’ve made for my life and my family.
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