Honouring the Women Who have influenced and shaped us

Honouring the Women Who have influenced and shaped us 

At the heart of this incredible atmosphere are our leaders, educators, operational teams, and support office staff, who are the driving force behind our schools' success. They ensure that each SPARK School runs efficiently. Each day they commit themselves to serving our scholars, parents and our communities. 

As we begin Women’s Month, we take a moment to honour these everyday superheroes by celebrating the women who inspired and shaped them. 

At SPARK Schools, we recognise the significant role women play in our schools and communities. To mark this special month, some of our educators and leaders are sharing stories of the iconic women who have influenced and shaped their journeys.. 

Amanda Mncube, Grade 5 Educator at SPARK Rynfield, shares how her mother inspired her path:

This Women’s Month, I pause to honour the woman who has profoundly shaped my values, my sense of purpose, and my approach to leadership—my mother. 

To me, she is iconic not because of accolades or recognition, but because of the quiet strength, wisdom, and unwavering dedication she has embodied throughout her life. 

As a teacher devoted to working with children with disabilities, she became my very first example of what it means to lead with both heart and purpose.

From a young age, I often accompanied her to the classroom. I remember watching her greet each child with warmth, infusing even the smallest interactions with dignity and respect. 

I saw how her patience transformed frustration into hope and how her persistence inspired progress where others might have given up. 

Those early experiences left an indelible mark on me. They awakened within me a deep desire to follow in her footsteps, not only to teach, but to serve, to lead with empathy, and to dedicate my life to creating meaningful change.

“ One of the most defining lessons my mother taught me is that true leadership is rooted in service. It is not about titles or authority but about empowering others to see their worth and potential.”

I will never forget the day I watched her kneel beside a child who struggled to speak. With gentle encouragement and unwavering belief, she coaxed out the child’s very first word. 

That single moment, so small, yet so profound...it showed me that leadership is not always loud or grand. Sometimes, it is simply the quiet determination to keep showing up for those who need you most.

That moment became the cornerstone of my purpose. Today, as I stand in my own classroom, I carry her lessons with me. Her example has shaped my leadership style: compassionate, relational, and deeply committed to building a safe space where every child can thrive.

“To every girl and young woman in our school and community, I offer this message: your dreams are powerful, your voice carries weight, and your capacity to influence the world is limitless. 

Do not measure your worth by the size of your stage, but by the depth of the impact you create. Remember, as my mother taught me, you do not have to change the entire world to matter—you simply need the courage to change one life at a time.” 

This Women’s Month, may we celebrate not only the well-known figures in history but also the women who quietly and relentlessly shape lives, ignite purpose, and inspire us to become the very best versions of ourselves.

‍