How King David navigated a time of transformation

The past year has been one of the most significant periods of change in King David Schools’ history. The closure of King David Victory Park could easily have been a moment defined by loss and uncertainty. Instead, it has become a powerful example of resilience, unity, and the enduring strength of our community. 

Jewish tradition teaches us that we must live in three places at once: connected to our past, grounded in the present, and optimistic about the future. The Torah enshrines teshuvah (literally repentance), the ability for one to change, to grow and not be bound, as a pillar of our faith. We possess a tremendous capacity for growth and renewal. Change is possible and improvement is attainable. We can emerge stronger from challenging experiences. This perspective has guided King David throughout this transition. 

The results speak for themselves. Through a carefully managed integration process, King David retained approximately 90% of Victory Park’s pupils and 85% of its teaching and support staff. These figures are far more than statistics. They represent relationships preserved, educational continuity maintained, and a community that chose to move forward together. 

While these outcomes are encouraging, we also recognise that not every family experienced the transition in the same way. Significant change inevitably brings challenges, and some parents, pupils, and staff felt aspects of the integration more acutely than others. 

We are particularly grateful to families and staff who shared constructive feedback along the way. Their willingness to raise concerns, ask difficult questions, and hold us accountable has helped us improve our processes, communication, and support structures. Strong communities grow not only through celebration, but also through honest reflection. 

Perhaps the greatest lesson of this journey has been the discovery of how much we have in common. As pupils, families, teachers, and staff from different campuses came together, it became increasingly clear that we are united by the same aspirations, values, and commitment to excellence. What initially appeared to be a challenging transition became an opportunity to strengthen bonds and deepen our sense of collective purpose. 

At the heart of this communal achievement lies the unique character of King David. Excellence in education has always been one of our defining characteristics, but equally important is our commitment to community and to strong Jewish values. These principles guided every decision made during the integration and ensured that people remained at the centre of the process. 

Throughout, our community demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Change is rarely easy, particularly when it involves institutions that people hold dear. Yet King David’s principals, educators, support staff, pupils, and parents embraced the challenge with remarkable positivity and determination. Their willingness to adapt and support one another transformed a complex organisational change into a success story. 

Today, King David stands united and strong, while recognising that the work of building community is never truly complete. 

We are making steps in honouring the heritage, traditions, and achievements of Victory Park while simultaneously building an exciting future for our pupils and families. We are preserving what matters most, pushing for excellence, while embracing the future with confidence. Being in three places at once. 

As we enter the new year, we do so with pride in what has been achieved, but also with humility. Rosh Hashanah reminds us that growth is an ongoing process. Just as individuals strive each year to reflect, improve, and renew themselves, so too must institutions. We remain committed to listening, learning, and continuously strengthening our special schools. 

The story of this past year isn’t ultimately about closure. It’s about continuity, renewal, and growth. It’s the story of a community that chose unity over division, opportunity over uncertainty, and hope over fear. It’s the story of King David moving forward with strength, confidence, and an unwavering belief that our very best days lie ahead and that change is possible. 

• Rabbi Ricky Seeff is general director of the South African Jewish Board of Education and former principal of King David Primary School Victory Park.