Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Acquisto, Ivanka
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1996 -2017
History
GC English teacher from 1996 - 2017, also Deputy Head and second GC Head.
Ivanka Acquisto joined the Girl’s Collegiate nine months after its opening in 1999 as the Deputy Head under the leadership of Anne van Zyl. She came to the Girl’s College from St Benedict’s College where she served as the Head of department English. Ivanka became the Head in 2001 and continued with the unchartered course set by Anne van Zyl. Her vision to Girl’s College was clear: “To be so strong on the inside that they are able to choose gentleness.”
Ivanka’s term of office was challenging as she had to deal with gender discrimination and the investigation by the Human Rights Commission with regards to external recognition of achievements. What is known as the six C’s also took root during Ivanka’s time as Head: Compassion, Creativity, Confidence, Courage, Contribution and Character – the mosaic circles on the walkway leading up to the Anne van Zyl Quad.
During Ivanka’s 16 years as Head of Girl’s College the school continued to flourish and excel in the areas of staff development, academics, sport, service, and culture as well as Round Square and the character development program. The Girl’s College had taken flight!
The “Afrikaans quad” as it has been fondly named, was part of the last phase of the initial construction of the Girl’s College. This quad houses the Afrikaans, French, Zulu, Life Sciences, Dramatic Arts and Music classes. This lovely, grassed area with beautiful trees and azaleas is an oasis in which the students can relax during breaks. This space is often filled with music and students practicing their lines for drama, experiments, tutor groups and class groups. It is a warm and happy space.