Zwaanswyk High School welcomes Abigail Demes as new principal with a vision for excellence
New Zwaanswyk High School principal, Abigail Demes.
Image: Wesley Ford
Zwaanswyk High School welcomed Abigail Demes as its new principal, who started at the beginning of the month.
Demes, originally from Lavender Hill, now lives in Retreat and has over 18 years of teaching experience. At the beginning of her teaching career, she had a short stint at Wynberg Secondary School, then worked two years at Cape Town High School, then 10 years at Crestway High School, and has now been part of Zwaanswyk for the past six years.
Demes takes over from acting principal Anushka Daniels, who was at the helm for over two years. Demes paid tribute to former acting principal, Daniels, and her predecessor, Shandre Otto, for the leadership and guidance they provided her.
Demes said taking over as principal was an ‘exciting time’ for her. “As a class teacher, you would make a difference in 30 or 40 pupils, as a grade head, you would work with over 100 pupils, though as principal, I would have to put my stamp on 947 pupils at the school,” she said.
Zwaanswyk High School has always achieved excellent academic results, as the matric class of 2025 achieved a 99% pass rate, though Demes said she would like her school to aim even higher and to accomplish a 100% pass rate from Grade 8 to Grade 12. “We want to create excellence in ensuring that our pupils not only leave with a matric certificate, but leave to be able to attend a tertiary institution, and they must be able to have options,” she said.
Demes also works with fellow teachers, Ilhaam Siljeur and Laurena Hulbert, whom she taught during her time at Crestway High School.
Siljeur said she was proud of Demes for getting this post. “I know that this was one of her dreams, and as a former pupil, my experience was exceptional, and I am teaching Business Studies, which I was taught by Demes,” she said.
Hulbert said she is honoured and privileged to be working with Demes. “She is one of the reasons why I chose to go into the teaching profession. I remember in high school how she always used to motivate us; it always stuck with me, it is an honour to be under her leadership,” she said.
Demes said the school has always enjoyed good sports and cultural activities.
One of the plans that she would like to look at for the future is perhaps extending the school hall, as the current hall is too small to accommodate the whole school for an assembly, she said.