There is a new sheriff at Cape Recife School and she has made history by becoming the first woman principal to run the special-needs school in 65 years.
Erica Maritz, 58, took over the reins as acting principal in January after the retirement of the former head, Jacques Hugo, at the end of 2021.
Her appointment to the top job was confirmed this week.
With her wealth of teaching experience, Maritz, who is also an accomplished martial arts practitioner, has big plans to ensure Cape Recife remains one of SA’s top special-needs schools.
Her appointment has given the school an extra dose of girl power — its entire senior management team now consists of women.
“I started working at the school 32 years ago as a young 26-year-old woman with big dreams and ideals, and I can confidently say that I will never go back to teaching mainstream again.
“Our differently-abled pupils are so special,” she said.
“They are the ones that teach us about love, gratitude and compassion.”
Maritz beamed with excitement as she told of how teachers build up the children from the moment they walk through the doors of Cape Recife for the first time.
“By the time these children come to us their wings are broken because they have become accustomed to being ridiculed and being incorrectly labelled as dumb.
“Knowing that you can build them up and nurture and guide them to make a success of their lives is very rewarding,” she said.
Maritz’s plans for the school include continuing to have it focus on academics while assisting pupils to overcome all their learning barriers.
More practical subjects will also be introduced for pupils who are not fully academically inclined.
With more options for pupils, the school hopes to retain them once they are eligible to go to training colleges when they reach grade 10 so that they can further their skills in a familiar environment.
Maritz is probably the only school principal in SA who is a 5th dan black belt in karate and a 3rd dan in weapons training.
She will put this experience to use at the school by introducing self-defence classes for girls as a special project during Women’s Month.
Under her tenure, the school might soon also have a fully flourishing marimba band, having embarked on a fundraiser to buy a set of marimba drums at the beginning of the new academic year.
With seven years to go until Maritz reaches retirement, her vision is to take the school to even greater heights for the benefit of its pupils and those who follow in coming years.
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