La Rochelle Yearbook 2025

JAARVERSLAG – TOTSIENS

After five unforgettable years of teaching Dramatic Arts at La Rochelle Girls’ High School, I am filled with gratitude and reflection as I stand at the edge of a new chapter. This period has been a journey of creativity, growth and human connection – moments of laughter, hard work and transformation. Drama has never simply been a subject to me – it is a way of life, a way of understanding others and a space where stories and souls meet. It has been a platform where young women define their voices, their

As I look back on my years at La Rochelle Girls’ High School, my heart is filled with deep gratitude, joy, and a touch of nostalgia. Since joining the school in 2019, I have had the privilege of working with extraordinary young women whose talent, creativity, and determination have made every day a rewarding experience. Wat

confidence and their place in the world. I am so proud of the courage, passion and authenticity that each Larrie has brought to the stage and classroom. Ek is oneindig dankbaar dat ek my loopbaan in so ’n besondere omgewing soos La Rochelle kon begin. Hierdie was my eerste aanstelling, en hier het ek gegroei – as onderwyser, as mens en as kunstenaar. Ek het soveel van my kollegas geleer, van hul toewyding, wysheid en die liefde waarmee hulle hul werk doen. Om hierdie betrekking te kon kry, was een van die grootste getuienisse van my lewe; ek weet die Here het dit vir my uitgesit met ’n spesifieke doel. Dit is elke drama-onderwyser se droom om met sulke leerders te werk – dié wat honger is om te leer, wat bereid is om te groei en wat met hul harte en verbeelding leef. Hierdie vyf jaar by La Rochelle was werklik besonders en die hoogtepunt was sonder twyfel ons musiekblyspel van 2025. Om saam met die Larries en leerders van ander hoërskole – Labori, Hoër Jongenskool, Boland Landbou en New Orleans – te werk, het gewys hoe teater mense bymekaar bring. Die boodskap van hierdie tydlose verhaal – dat ware skoonheid altyd van binne kom – sal vir my altyd bybly oor wat kuns werklik beteken. To all my learners – never stop challenging yourselves. Keep participating, innovating and daring to dream together. Theatre, like life, is at its most beautiful when shared. Let your creativity lead you, your courage ground you and your passion remind you that every story, especially your own, deserves to be told. Ek wil ook my kollegas bedank vir die wonderlike vriendskappe wat ons oor die jare gevorm het. Julle ondersteuning, lag, raad en samewerking het elke dag spesiaal gemaak en ek sal die herinneringe vir altyd koester. Julle het hierdie reis vir my soveel ryker gemaak en ek is dankbaar vir elke oomblik wat ons gedeel het. Ek gaan julle mis, maar ek sal beslis weer kom kuier. Met liefde en trots Me. Kirsty Nel

ching learners discover their voices – both literally and figuratively – has been one of the greatest joys of my teaching journey. From the first tentative notes in Grade 8 music lessons to the polished performances on stage, every rehearsal, concert, and festival has been a reminder of the power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift. Conducting the school choir and leading the Con Spirito vocal ensemble have been among my most cherished experiences – not only because of the beautiful music we made together, but because of the shared laughter, teamwork, and genuine care that filled our rehearsal spaces. To my colleagues, thank you for your friendship, encouragement, and collaboration over the years. To my learners, thank you for your enthusiasm, hard work, and the countless memories we’ve created together. You have taught me as much as I have taught you, and I will carry those lessons with me always. Though I am stepping into a new chapter at Parel Vallei High School next year, La Rochelle will forever hold a special place in my heart. Keep singing boldly, dreaming freely, and sharing your light with the world. The spirit of La Rochelle – strong, graceful, and full of song – will continue to resonate wherever life takes me. With love and gratitude, Mrs.Madri Muller

Begin Januarie 1979 het ek my dogter Anmarie, by die koshuis ingeboek om haar hoërskool loopbaan by La Rochelle te begin. Min het ek geweet dat die koshuis op 5 Januarie 2012 my nuwe werksplek en tuiste gaan word. Van meet af aan het ek hier “tuis” gevoel – dit het soos HUIS gevoel en “Koshuis” het my lewe geword. My strewe was die volgende: “I am going to make everything around me beautiful – that will be my life.” – Elsie de Wolfe Ek kan eerlik sê ek het my bes probeer om dit te doen.

Daar was drie persone wat my pad hier gekruis het wat ek ewig dankbaar voor sal wees. Dit is Amanda Lochner en Colleen Ratz wat potentiaal in my raakgesien het en Leslie Watson (SBL) by wie ek so baie geleer het – in besonder van projekbestuur. Alles was nie altyd maanskyn en rose nie, maar ek kan eerlik sê dat ek nie ’n enkele oomblik spyt gekry het dat ek die skuif herheen gemaak het nie. La Rochelle Koshuis sal altyd ’n spesiale plekkie in my lewe en hart hê. Ek sal dit verseker mis. Mooi bly! Mev. Lida Hendrikse

Hoër Meisieskool La Rochelle | Girls’ High School | 17