Governing Body of Hopefield High School

Chairperson (also of Financial Committee) - Gideon Dixon

Gideon works at Westarcor, a Saldanha engineering firm, as General Manager and partner.

The family has a long, proud association with HSH and appreciate the exceptional growth of HSH over the decades. Gideon's wife is an ex-HSH learner and Gideon has been involved with school governing bodies in the area for 10 years. He has learnt about the management and administration of schools, school laws and WCED / DBE processes.

With this experience, management expertise and professional network, Gideon serves HSH with passion!

Vice Chairperson - Johan le Roux

Johan is a business development executive with an accounting background. Johan holds a BCom (Management Accounting) and an MBA. He has a senior position in SPH Kundalila - a local company also a loyal supporter of HSH.

Together with his wife and three kids (all HSH learners), he lives on a game farm outside Hopefield where they enjoy nature and sustainable farming to the fullest. Johan enjoys watching sports, hunting, fishing, golf and lighting a fire.

Jurgens Schreuder - Hostels Portfolio & Acting Deputy Principal

Jurgens completed his HED at the old National College in Pretoria and proudly holds decades worth of teaching experience.

He loves sport, landscaping, rustic woodwork, fishing and the outdoors.

He hopes to make a valuable contribution to HSH and the broader community; he especially has a very big soft spot for children.

Acting Principal - Jacques Rossouw

With B Sc (Computer Science & Maths); B Sc (Hons) in Computer Science; HED & B Ed (Hons) degrees and decades of teaching experience (10 years as Vice Principal and now as Acting Principal), Jacques offers his unique skill set in service to HSH.

As an HSH ex-learner, Jacques is a product of the school which he now continues to help adapt with his future-oriented views.

Apart from teaching Grades 8-12 Maths, Jacques also coaches Athletics and Rugby and he offers his IT skills to the school. He is an exceptional Master of Ceremonies.

Jacques is a Hopefield local and a dedicated family man.

The learners appreciate Jacques' approachability and resonate well with his humour.

Jean Rossouw - Department Head

Jean has been an educator at HSH for 15 years already. He himself was also a learner at Hopefield High School from Grade R up to Grade 12 and he is therefore absolutely loyal towards HSH and will only give his best for his school.

He is responsible for Grade 10 to Grade 12 Maths and Grade 9 Science at the school. Jean is also the subject head for Maths and Science. He is also very involved with the maintenance of discipline at the school and the neatness of learners. Outside of the classroom he is the school's u/19A rugby team coach and he also coaches athletics. He is also responsible for the school's IT systems.

His interests are mainly rugby and the progress of his school, HSH. He loves children very much and believes in the holistic development of the learners and sport participants so that they will have the necessary skills and the right attitude to tackle life after their school career.

Olivier Slabber

Olivier is a 5th generation Hopefield farmer; he is deeply rooted in the community and actively involved to make a positive impact.

He is an ex-HSH learner and was in "Huis Walters" from Grade 1. He matriculated at Boland Agricultural School and then completed his studies at Elsenburg Agricultural College.

Hy is married to Melané and they have three energetic, dear children. He enjoys sport, especially rugby, as well as fishing, camping, hunting and spending time with friends and family around a fire.

He hopes to offer a meaningful and sustainable contribution to the further growth and success of Hopefield High School.

Barend Jordaan

Barend has been involved in schools for many years, from youth worker to facilitating leadership camps, teambuildings, school camps & school marketing. Barend joined HSH in 2025 to work on marketing, sponsorships, events and fundraising.

He is a natural networker and loves spending time with his family and in nature.

Rosa Cruywagen

Rosa graduated with a B.Ed degree and has notched up 10 years as a teacher.

She is responsible for the social and cultural activities at the school, including: Mr and Miss HSH, Inter Schools, Big Brag, HSH's Got Talent, Varia, Eisteddfod and Evening School. She is in charge of the primary school RCL. She teaches Afrikaans, English, Geography and Science, manages the drama club and coaches netball.

She believes in learners' uniqueness and that everyone should have representation, therefore she's glad to represent the female teachers and girl learners on the Governing Body.

Liza Pretorius

Ex-HSH, she equipped herself to handle general admin & debt collecting, becoming the Financial Officer of HSH in 2012, & it's hostels, in 2015.

She loves reading & is meticulous in her work.

Secretary - Arina Hanekom

Arina was entirely schooled at Hopefield High School as a boarder at Huis Eureka, matriculating in 1988. She has a Diploma in Public Relations Management.

Arina started her career in the National Defence Force as a member of Military Intelligence in Pretoria, evolving to the Communication/Public Relations Officer at the Military Academy in Saldanha. She then worked in conference management and wedding co-ordination at a West Coast Lodge before doing national events and in-house promotions at an Events & Promotions Company.

Her son is in Grade 11. She loves reading, cooking & baking.

Elricka de Vries

Elricka started life in Johanneburg and made a turn through Empangeni where she matriculated before marching into adulthood at SAAWCOL in George. After this she studied Education at the University of Stellenbosch before attaining 3 years' teaching experience in Great Brittain, preparing her for completing her Masters in Educational Psychology and qualifying as psychologist.

Elricka has been working as an Educational Psychologist on the West Coast since 2014 and works full time for the WCED.

VJ Schnetler

VJ grew up in Oudtshoorn as one of five children. He joined his father's construction business straight after school and has now been in the industry for 30 years. He is married to Aletta and is the proud father of two daughters, Tracy and Izabella.

In 2024, VJ became part of HSH and believes that if you want to have an opinion, you need to get involved. He hopes to make a difference by using his construction industry knowledge to the benefit of the school and the learners.

Avril Daniels

Avril Daniels is a retired Chief Education Specialist with more than 34 years of experience. He served for 11 years as the principal of a large primary school and subsequently completed the final decade of his career as a Circuit Manager in the WCED, responsible for more than 28 schools in the West Coast region. His knowledge and experience in school leadership, management and governance make him a valuable Governing Body member.

Avril is married to Gaynore, with three daughters, the youngest of whom is currently a learner at HSH, and three grandchildren. He also serves on the Church Council. He is a qualified cabinetmaker with a particular passion and skill for woodworking. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, fishing, and playing golf.