Mrs Lynne Worth joined Durban High School in January 2010. Initially, she was employed as a Librarian in the Media Centre until the incumbent Senior Librarian retired and, within a year, had taken over as the Head of the Centre. As Head she introduced a number of new measures, including a new library software application, modernizing the area and systems, implementing an e-library platform and taking over the Textbook procurement and administration, including dealing with the Department of Education in this regard.
Mrs Worth co-chaired and hosted the South African National School Librarians’ Conference in July 2017. A hugely successful conference which attracted Media Centre Managers and Librarians from all over the country as well as from neighbouring countries, it attracted some of the best local speakers and an international key-note speaker from the UK.
Mrs Worth had previously run her own IT company and it was in this area that she had the most impact at Durban High School. Her expertise and experience in IT proved invaluable. Initially her knowledge was put to good use as management and staff began turning to her for assistance with IT issues. She was instrumental in forming an IT Committee at the school and it was not long before she became the Head of IT, in addition to being Head of the Media Centre. Under her guidance and leadership, a number of initiatives were introduced to the School: new server and network infrastructure; laptops for every educator; new desktops for office based employees; iPads for the learners and staff, which included sourcing and introducing e-text books and upgrading the WiFi.
Mrs Worth also project-managed a number of substantial upgrades and projects at the School. After an extensive tender process the Information Communication Technology upgrade, labelled Project Pegasus, took flight and included the following: latest IP PABX system (telephones); modern IP intercom system; state of the art biometric system (fingerprint), extensive CCTV camera security system and to facilitate and compliment all of the above, a new IT cabling and network infrastructure upgrade.
Once that project was completed, Mrs Worth then oversaw the next renovation which involved the upgrading and revamping of the Media Centre, the Museum (Archives) and Seabrooke Theatre. The Archives are proudly on display in the Media Centre, which is now a magnificent entrance way into our school, thanks to her hard work and supervision.
An extremely competent person, Mrs Worth is always willing to assist and she displayed a high level of knowledge, understanding and ability in her areas. She is a person of incredible commitment and her positive approach to everything she does is commendable.
Mrs Worth was well liked by the boys and a popular member of staff; her colleagues knew she could always be relied upon and she always had a smile and an empathetic ear. Her fierce loyalty earned her many friends. She also had an excellent relationship with members of management, and there is no doubt that she gave a tremendous amount to this school.
All in all, Mrs Worth was an outstanding member of the DHS staff and we miss her enormously.
We wish her all the best in her new venture where she has already begun the revitalisation and modernisation of another Media Centre.