By Alwyn Visagie
Livingstone High School has long been mathematics/science-focused school founded on the belief that mathematics, in particular, is a universal language that promotes logical and critical thinking and opens up a variety of study options and careers. In 2000, the mathematics department found itself in a very precarious position because the school had lost the services of several highly skilled and experienced mathematics teachers such as Rafiq Omar, Michael Lawrence, Brent Walters, Sharon Viljoen and, later that year, Richard van der Horst. The principal, Rhoda Hendricks, in an inspired act, successfully engaged the services of Charles Liberty.
Mr Liberty, born in Newlands, first attended St Andrew’s Primary School and, thereafter, Battswood Primary School. He matriculated at South Peninsula High School and went on to attain a Bachelor of Science degree and teaching diploma. Mr Liberty taught at Heathfield High School for 22 years before heading up the mathematics department at Hewat Teacher Training College. He was one of the lecturers who refused to be part of the enforced merger of Hewat and the Cape Town College of Education and, temporarily, left teaching until approached by Rhoda Hendricks in 1999. He joined the Livingstone staff in January 2000.
Charles Liberty’s impact at Livingstone was both immediate and very significant. His subject knowledge, experience and expertise noticeably stabilised the mathematics department. His leadership skills and calm approach to solving problems greatly assisted the department in maintaining the standards set by their predecessors. He found his educational home at Livingstone and was very impressed by the discipline of both staff and students. ‘As a teacher of mathematics higher grade, I had no problems with the discipline of my students, which made teaching much easier. I was also impressed with the ability of my students, especially in Grade 12.’
Mr Liberty set the bar high for his students and inspired them to believe in themselves. Natasha van Schoor remembers that Mr Liberty was ‘the first person I wanted to run to when my matric results came out, and I saw my maths mark. I had requested to drop to standard grade in Grade 11, and he literally said no. I passed matric with 70% on higher grade.’ When asked about his approach to teaching, Mr Liberty smilingly said that he encouraged his students to be ‘hardworking and responsible and do their homework every day’ because mathematics was a ‘practical subject’ that required ‘Practice! Practice!’ Matriculants were expected to attend compulsory extra mathematics classes during the June and September holidays. Though Charles Liberty believed very strongly in disciplined learning, he also believed in the importance of humour ‘so that students could have a temporary break during a heavy lesson’. His motto in mathematics was ‘Come what May’, which he got them to interpret as ‘Know your work very well’ because ‘there was only one month in a calendar year: May, May, May’.
The rewards of Charles Liberty’s teaching stint at Livingstone were not confined to individual results. The school received the National Award for Mathematics Higher Grade in 2003 and 2005. Although he spent only six years at Livingstone High School, Charles Liberty left a lasting impression on the staff and the students whom he inspired and influenced.
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