Rebecca Sarchi was born in London, and made aliyah at the age of 12, living just outside of Netanya. While in Israel, Rebecca was exceptionally involved in Bnei Akiva, walking over an hour every Shabbos afternoon to attend the gatherings. Rebecca came to South Africa for the first time at age 18 and continued working for Jewish youth organizations. She was Rosh Gurim as well as a madrich in Bnei Akiva South Africa. She was also a counselor at Camp Gan Yisroel in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Her ultimate December holiday remains in Israel, where she feels the most connected and at home.
After completing high school, Rebecca attended Orot, a religious teacher college in Jerusalem, and studied nursery school teaching. She taught in a Gan in the Old City in Jerusalem, and upon her return to South Africa, studied a Bachelors of Education through Unisa – majoring in education and communications. She loves learning and enjoys reading books of all types.
Rebecca began her teaching career in 1984 as an assistant in the Torah Academy Nursery School. She then became a class teacher in the nursery school before moving to grade one, and teaching in various positions in the primary school and boys high. After a crash course in Yiddish, Rebecca even taught Cheder. Rebecca then discovered her happy place in the girl’s high, teaching there for many years before assuming the position of principal in 2000.
Her belief in every student and her ability to make students believe in themselves and succeed has created a culture of growth and possibility in Girls High. Her office is full of inspirational quotes and photos of her surrounded by her high school students, who can often be found in her office having passionate discussions with Morah. In her free time, Rebecca can often be spotted having coffee with her old students, remaining a confidant and friend for life.
Rebecca is a devoted mother and grandmother and loves spending time with her family. She can often be seen picking up her grandchildren from school. Her home is open to all, and after raising 4 teenage boys and twin daughters she can whip up a meal for 40 in a flash. Rebecca is an excellent cook, and she admits this is probably because she loves to eat.
Rebecca is adventurous and loves swimming and walking. She is passionate about Chinuch and is grateful that she can guide her students through this unique stage of life during their high school years. Rebecca has created a nurturing haven of love in the Girls High with a diverse student body, allowing each student to be an individual who is given the tools to blossom.