Gwyn Zimmerman appointed as Head of Cross Curricular Studies.

Gwyneth Zimmerman is a veteran teacher of 28 years. She has taught Physical Science, Geography and Life Sciences and just to keep things interesting she dabbled in Mathematics. Gwyneth has always been a lifelong student and refuses to let the grass grow under her feet. She completed her Master of Education Degree at the University of Witwatersrand in 2015, specializing in Assessment, Curriculum Design and Science Education. She joined St Peter’s College as the HOD of Natural Science in 2014 and has seen this department flourish and expand under her capable guidance and hands-on supervision.

In 2018 Gwyneth as part of the team led by the Academic Head Shelly Matthews, explored and implemented the exciting and innovative initiative of Project-Based Learning (PBL) to the Grade 8 and 9s. This initiative has allowed our Junior Students to expand their interests while researching and discovering the vast world around us. This adventure has provided the imputes for her Ph.D. studies. Her thesis title is, “Implementing Project-Based learning in a South African High School.”

When the world came to a standstill because of Covid-19, and education was taken online, the world of education was pushed into exploring alternative strategies. This exposure has allowed SPC to investigate the possibility of introducing different educational, more in line with international educational trends. Blended Learning and the Flipped Classroom are the main strategies identified that will merge best with the SPC structure, traditions, and values. As with all innovations and change, there are challenges to negotiate, meeting the demands of a changing world within traditional educational systems. SPC is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the best of both worlds. It is in this innovative space that has seen the position of Cross-Curricular Director come about and Gwyneth is the first appointed educator to this position.

To keep a healthy balance, in her spare time Gwyneth loves spending time in her garden and is an avid amateur painter. She is married to Conrad and has two grown-up children.