UNITED HERZLIA SCHOOLS 2024 AGM
Herzliaโs 84th AGM was held in person at Herzlia High School with a review of the year, looking forward to the new year, and the announcement of two very special awards.
UHS Chairmanโs Award 2024
Mazaltov Geoff Cohen!
This award honours those who have made an extraordinary contribution to the life and well-being of the greater Herzlia community, displaying loyalty, dedication and commitment, embracing and enhancing the ethos and values of school life. The recipient is an individual who, in their particular area of expertise, has made an impact on the lives of the pupils of Herzlia, while enhancing the good standing of
our school in the eyes of the Cape Town and SA community.ย
UHS Board Chair, Hayle Marks said, โI donโt believe there is anyone who has impacted every facet of this school more than tonightโs winner.
He has been a pupil, a parent, a teacher, a sports coach, a headmaster and a director, and is undoubtedly the most well-known and well-loved alumnus this school has ever produced. There is not a Herzlian who does not know him and I am confident that there is not a Herzlian whom he does not know. His association with Herzlia goes back over 40 years and, in that time, he has impacted the lives of hundreds of Jewish children โ now Jewish adults โ who all remember him with affection and respect. He is a true mensch and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have worked so closely with him over the past few years.
He may be retiring this year, but he will always be a part of Herzlia, just as Herzlia will always be a part of him. He is the first person to receive this award for a second time, which seems incredibly fitting. It is my absolute privilege tonight to give this award to Geoff Cohen.โ
Directorsโ Award: Educator of Excellence
Mazaltov Yael Ayache!
The Directorsโ Educator of Excellence award is presented annually to an educator at Herzlia who has consistently made a significant difference in the lives of our pupils as well as making a positive impact on their day-to-day lives at the school.
This yearโs recipient is Yael Ayache, an alumna, who over many years has proven herself to be a true Herzlian. Yael is also a talented and passionate teacher who takes huge pride in her work and creates excitement about JLL.
Yaelโs teaching career began at Herzlia in 2002 and she has since made a remarkable impact in the critical areas of JLL and Hebrew. Her first role as a teacher was at the Middle School for nine years where she became an integral member of the Hebrew department, sharing her love for Hebrew. She then transferred to Highlands Primary in 2011 and immediately became a valued member of the Highlands Primary staff, endeared to pupils, parents and staff alike. Her skills as a leader were noted and, in 2023, she was promoted to Head of JLL at Highlands and, at the start of 2024, she took on the additional role of Head of Hebrew.
She has been instrumental in creating a Jewish atmosphere and ethos of Yiddishkeid at Highlands Primary and is a much-loved educator and colleague.
TOPPING OUT MERCAZ MAIM
Aย huge milestone was reached in May 2024 at the new Herzlia Aquatic Centre (Mercaz Maim in Hebrew) building site with theโTopping Outโ ceremony!
The African Olive tree will later be planted at the entrance carrying the symbolic value of life and the future. During the ceremony, a time capsule was concreted under the foyer, filled with minutes of the dayโs site meeting, the daily newspaper, Herzliaโs 2024 calendar, approved building plans, and the remains of a bottle of whisky used to toast the event. This will be opened up in 2074 when the complex is 50 years old! Completion and opening are due mid-August so watch this space!
Beyers Slabbert (SNA Architects), Andries van Renssen
(UHS Executive Director) and Hayle Marks (UHS Board Chair)
with the time capsule
Aquatics Centre under construction will have a view
of Table Mountain
African Olive tree placed on the roof of the new complex
in the ceremony
United Herzlia Schools www.herzlia.com
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