Brian Isaacs should not be dismissed

Attention: Mr. Paddy Atwell  

We, a group of past students from South Peninsula High School, would like to address you about a matter of great concern to us. We recently learned of the dismissal of Principal Brian Isaacs, who has been found, amongst other things to be, “… guilty of two charges of disrespect or abusive or insolent behaviour towards officials...”   While we are not in a position to comment directly on the charges laid against Mr. Isaacs, we believe the subsequent action taken is incommensurate with Brian Isaacs’s life of service and his many contributions, not only to education, but to the lives of thousands of students who passed through South Peninsula under his care. We strenuously object to the actions taken and would like you to consider the following: Mr. Isaacs’s observation of spirited rules and regulations, as well as his passionate views on numerous subjects, meant that he was not always easy, and yet, we his students understood that he was dedicated, fair and moreover rigorous in ensuring the best education under trying conditions. Despite that he was very often under duress from the old regime, Brian Isaacs insisted that a first class education was possible and with little or no resources he consistently delivered a high level of instruction. South Peninsula was always a high performing school, capable of producing learners that went on to study at the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, The University of the Western Cape as well as institutions across the world. From the sciences, to education, medicine, the arts, business and several other professions, South Peninsula was a key element in the development of many exceptional people. This would not have been possible had these young people not attended South Peninsula High. And South Peninsula High would not have been the school that it was, without the ethics, commitment to education and the personal dedication of Brian Isaacs.   We believe the actions taken against Mr. Isaacs present an undignified finality to a career that was in fact stellar. Any such action would undermine Mr. Isaacs’s role as a leading educator, as well as his contributions to many lives.