After eight years of dedicated service, Paul Roos Gymnasium says goodbye to their rector, Mr André Van Staden, as he officially retires from his role as rector and from a lifelong career in education. A man of vision, balance, and integrity, Mr Van Staden championed the holistic development of every PRG learner.
Hailing from Port Elizabeth, André Marius van Staden completed his schooling at Cilliers High School in 1977. After doing his military training at Oudtshoorn Infantry School, he earned a BA degree and a post-graduate Higher Education Diploma from the University of Stellenbosch.
Mr Van Staden began his teaching career in 1984 at Grey High School in Gqeberha. After a decade at Grey, in 1995 Mr Van Staden spread his wings and accepted a position as Deputy Principal at Pearson High School, later taking the reins as headmaster in 2004.
After 22 years at Pearson, Mr Van Staden moved to Stellenbosch and joined Paul Roos Gymnasium as headmaster in 2017.
With over four decades of experience – spanning the classroom, lecture halls, and leadership – his philosophy has always centred on the holistic and balanced development of learners. His ultimate goal was to help each boy grow into a responsible, happy and well-adjusted adult, and to realise their full potential in academics, sport and culture.
Mr Van Staden on his last day at Paul Roos Gymnasium.
Guided by his life motto: “Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude”, Mr Van Staden leaves behind more than a title, he leaves a legacy of compassion, discipline, and purpose. Thank you, Mr Van Staden, for your invaluable contribution to PRG and to education in South Africa. Stellenbosch salutes you.