08/12/2025
Curro strengthens Walvis Bay Gymnasium leadership with new Executive Head, Dinette de Beer, to lead the school
Curro Holdings has appointed one of Namibia's most seasoned and respected school leaders, Mrs Dinette de Beer, as Executive Head of Walvis Bay Gymnasium. She will assume the role on 1 January 2026, strengthening educational leadership in the Erongo region.
De Beer joins Walvis Bay Gymnasium with a solid history in Namibia's public education sector. She was part of the leadership team that led Windhoek High School to be voted the Best Public School in Namibia and to receive a government award for being the Best AS Government School. Her tenure at Windhoek High School, where she served as Academic Coordinator, Principal and Deputy Principal for seven years prior, saw the school excel across several areas.
De Beer holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Studies and Commercial Law from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Higher Education Diploma from the same institution. This academic background provides a solid foundation in both commercial principles and educational practice.
At Walvis Bay Gymnasium, De Beer will guide learners from their earliest years through to their final school phase, with the aim of laying a foundation for academic, social, and emotional growth. Learners at Curro schools have access to extensive resources, including advanced facilities, expert teachers, and diverse extramural activities. Walvis Bay Gymnasium offers the full Cambridge curriculum, from Early Years to AS Level, providing a seamless education pathway recognised by top universities worldwide.
“This chapter brings new opportunities, and I look forward to contributing to the school’s continued growth,” De Beer said. “I am eager to learn from the staff, embrace new challenges, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of learners and the school community.”
The appointment represents something of a homecoming for De Beer, whose career in educational leadership spans three decades, including nine years as Deputy Director of the A Level Centre at St Paul's College, where she oversaw Cambridge A-level candidates at Cambridge College. Her leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in a simple but powerful belief that children thrive through encouragement, motivation, and genuine care.
“I am inspired by my love for children and the joy of seeing them transform into confident, productive citizens,” she explained, expressing a vision that emphasises both academic rigour and character development.
For Walvis Bay Gymnasium, the appointment comes at a time when the school, which offers education from age three through to Grade 12, has built a reputation for ensuring each child receives personalised attention. With specialised offerings including robotics and a holistic programme of cultural and sporting activities ranging from volleyball to rowing, the school provides a thoroughly modern educational experience.
De Beer's vision for the school is to continue providing a strong foundation for learners. “My aim is to lead a team of passionate, qualified teachers to make the school a true force to be reckoned with,” she stated. “I want to build further a strong set of shared values that drive excellence, nurture well-balanced learners, and foster a culture of respect, accountability, and continuous growth.”
Outside the classroom, De Beer is an avid sports enthusiast, a keen Sudoku solver, and someone who values quality time with family whilst keeping abreast of world affairs, interests that reflect the balance she seeks to instil in her learners.
De Beer's appointment signals Walvis Bay Gymnasium's determination to cement its position as a leading educational institution in Namibia, combining proven leadership with a forward-thinking approach to 21st-century education.
