Curro Holdings, the JSE-listed independent school group, is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Belinda Gibson as the new Executive Head of Curro Academy Riverside, located in Fourways, Johannesburg. Gibson has extensive experience in the teaching sector and a fervent passion for holistic education. Her personal learning journey has been diverse, having grown up in various locations across South Africa including Ficksburg, Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Postmasburg, Pretoria, Johannesburg, and even Namibia. In each place she called home, Gibson has nurtured her passion for education by empowering young minds.

Prior to her appointment at Curro Academy Riverside, Gibson held several key roles in some prestigious educational institutions. She served as an English teacher at Trinityhouse Schools for over nine years, where she made a significant impact on her learners’ language and literacy skills. Subsequently, she joined Curro Aurora as an English teacher in 2011 and her exceptional teaching abilities led to her appointment as Head of Legacy and Senior Phase Head. Since 2019, Gibson took on the role of Head of High School at Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel, where she played a pivotal role in guiding the school’s Grade 12 group to achieve an outstanding 98% pass rate.

Expressing her enthusiasm about her new role, Gibson said, “I am thrilled to continue working for a company that prioritises the holistic education of children. I strongly believe that building character is crucial in shaping young leaders of substance, and Curro provides the ideal platform for this. I am honoured to be part of an organisation that values innovation, academic excellence, and the overall growth of learners in cultural and sporting opportunities.”

Belinda Gibson

Looking ahead, Gibson is eager to embrace Curro’s academy offering which makes a positive impact on the nation’s youth. “Curro’s academy offering enables us to reach a greater portion of our country’s youth, providing them with hope for a better future, empowering them to make greater decisions, and inspiring them to dream bigger.”

One of Gibson’s primary goals at Curro Academy Riverside is to elevate the school’s profile through a renewed focus on academic rigor and competitive sport and cultural participation. She aims to inspire the community by showcasing the exceptional achievements of learners, ultimately fostering a culture of inspiration and accountability within the school and the local community.

Fergus Sampson, Business Executive for Meridian Schools at Curro Holdings, expressed his confidence in Gibson’s leadership, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Belinda to Curro Academy Riverside. Belinda brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to her new role. Her dedication to holistic education and her passion for empowering learners make her the perfect fit and we believe that under her guidance, the school will flourish and continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for its learners.” Beyond her professional endeavours, Gibson is an avid photographer who loves to tell stories through her camera lens. She actively engages in community service and possesses an unwavering commitment to dreaming big and achieving the impossible.