Retha Van Rooyen
Personal Assistant Office Administrator
Ashburton
Summary
I am an enthusiastic, friendly, loyal, creative & thorough individual, who strives for professionalism. I always aim to expand my knowledge & acquire new skillsets. I produce work of a high-quality and have great listening, communication, and organizational skills, as well as a strong work ethic, especially when it comes to working in a team. I can make a positive contribution to problem solving and work well under pressure.
Dedicated with excellent experience in industry. Maintains professional appearance and demeanor and expertly completes assigned tasks with focus on quality. Dependable and quick-learning team player with effective communication and organization skills.
Knowledgeable with proven track record in managing daily operations and supporting executives. Excelled in organizing schedules, coordinating travel, and handling confidential information with discretion. Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs and streamline processes, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Skilled multitasker proficient in Microsoft Suite and correspondence management.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Personal Assistant to the Head of Media Service
EDUCATION MEDIA SERVICES LIBRARY
01.1989 - 12.1989
- Handled incoming mail, bills and invoices and completed appropriate actions.
- Participated in team meetings and staff training sessions.
- Oversaw personal and professional calendars and coordinated appointments for future events.
- Maintained confidentiality and discretion while handling sensitive information relevant to company operations.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills.
- Served as first point of contact for incoming visitors or phone calls, ensuring prompt responses or directing inquiries appropriately.
- Maintained appropriate filing of personal and professional documentation.
- Managed travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, and itineraries for smooth business trips.
- Facilitated smooth office operations by managing supplies inventory and overseeing maintenance requests.
- Assisted in the preparation of presentations and reports, contributing to well-informed decision making.
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Improved time management of the executive through effective prioritization and organization of tasks.
- Used discretion when handling confidential information.
- Enhanced executive productivity by managing complex calendars and scheduling high-level meetings.
LEARNING & MEDIA CENTRE FACILITATOR (Grade 8 to Grade 12)
ST CHARLES COLLEGE
01.2020 - 12.2022
- Purchasing of Non-fiction and fiction titles
- Accessioning and allocation, labelling, covering and data capturing on Libwin library system. Assisting with learning centre duties in the afternoon as tutor and administrator
- Identified areas in need of improvement and implemented solutions.
- Contributed to improved team performance by facilitating workshops on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving techniques.
PERSONAL ASSISTANT (to the Heads of Upper School and Director of Academics) Grade 8 to Grade 12
ST CHARLES COLLEGE
01.2023 - 04.2025
- Scheduling of appointments and booking of Teams Meetings
- Welcoming parents and guests in the reception area
- Data capturing all information needed for spreadsheets on Microsoft Excell for Cambridge certification. Mainly percentages and calculating thereof.
- Dealing with confidential information pertaining to students profiles, reports etc.
- General administration for the uploading of Transcripts for University applications, also dealing directly with the Universities
- Taking and distribution of Management and Logistics meeting minutes
- Accessing, posting and communicating on the APP
- Planning and execution of Senior School Speech Night, including arranging flowers, catering, book prizes, certificates, trophies, seating arrangements, invitations and academic gowns
- Sending and answering of emails, acting as mediator and facilitator
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Assisted in the preparation of presentations and reports, contributing to well-informed decision making.
- Improved time management of the executive through effective prioritization and organization of tasks.
- Displayed absolute discretion at handling confidential information.
- Coordinated events and functions with attention to detail ensuring successful execution.
- Accomplished project deadlines by assisting with task completion whenever required.
- Provided research assistance on various projects, leading to informed decisions based on accurate information.
- Provided multifaceted services to career professionals by running errands, managing mail, scheduling appointments, and arranging transportation.
- Increased efficiency with organization of travel itineraries, ensuring seamless business trips.
- Improved communication between school departments, streamlining operations for increased efficiency.
- Participated in team meetings and staff training sessions.
- Served as first point of contact for incoming visitors or phone calls, ensuring prompt responses or directing inquiries appropriately.
- Aided executive in personal tasks such as scheduling appointments or running errands when needed.
- Maintained appropriate filing of personal and professional documentation.
- Managed travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, and itineraries for smooth business trips.
- Used discretion when handling confidential information.
- Streamlined office operations, implemented digital filing systems to reduce paper use and improve accessibility.
COMPUTER SKILLS & RESEARCH TEACHER (Junior Primary & Senior Primary School)
ST CHARLES COLLEGE
01.2006 - 12.2016
- Teaching the basic word processing and running a reading programme based on Keyboard skills together with hand eye coordination as a combined lesson with library
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Fostered positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking.
- Enhanced literacy skills with targeted reading programs.
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Personal Assistant to the Principal
LINPARK HIGH SCHOOL
01.2000 - 12.2005
- Administration, email, preparing of mark schedules and printing of Reports
- HR duties taking care of preparation and printing of salary advice
- Keeping staff profiles up to date
- Setting up interviews and parent meetings
- Boosted the Principal''s productivity by handling correspondence with discretion and promptly addressing inquiries from staff, parents, and external stakeholders.
- Managed event logistics for school functions, ensuring smooth operations and successful outcomes.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through effective communication skills during phone calls or in-person meetings regarding student concerns or academic performance updates.
- Streamlined Principal''s daily schedule by effectively managing appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Managed paper and electronic filing systems by routing various documents, taking messages and managing incoming and outgoing mail.
- Coordinated extensive travel plans for the Principal, meticulously arranging accommodations, transportation, and itinerary details.
- Served as liaison between the Principal''s office and other departments within the school to ensure seamless communication flow.
- Assisted in the hiring process for school staff by coordinating interviews and gathering necessary documentation for new hires.
- Collaborated with faculty members on special projects assigned by the Principal to enhance educational offerings within the school community.
Personal Assistant to the Financial Manager
ACTI CHEM PTY LTD (CHEMICAL COMPANY)
01.1995 - 04.1999
- Front office duties and assisting with preparing all financial reports for the Financial Manager. Scheduling of appointments and taking care of all the administration with regarding to communicating with clients
- Managed travel arrangements including flights, accommodations, and itineraries for smooth business trips.
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Assisted in the preparation of presentations and reports, contributing to well-informed decision making.
- Improved time management of the executive through effective prioritization and organization of tasks.
- Coordinated events and functions with attention to detail ensuring successful execution.
- Accomplished project deadlines by assisting with task completion whenever required.
- Provided multifaceted services to career professionals by running errands, managing mail, scheduling appointments, and arranging transportation.
- Increased efficiency with organization of travel itineraries, ensuring seamless business trips.
Receptionist/Secretary/Administrative Assistant
EBN TRADING IMPORT AND EXPORT COMPANY
01.1992 - 01.1995
- Dealing with International clients on a daily basis via email and preparing documents for exporting and importing through Department of Trade and Industry and the logistics surround this
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
- Corresponded with clients through email, telephone, or postal mail.
- Supported office efficiency by performing clerical tasks such as data entry, photocopying, scanning, and faxing documents.
- Provided administrative support to staff members by handling correspondence, filing documents, and managing office supplies inventory.
- Streamlined administrative tasks, such as filing and data entry, to support office efficiency.
Receptionist/Secretary/Administrative Assistant
BKS INCORPORATED CIVIL ENGINEERING
01.1990 - 12.1992
- Also acting as Marketing assistant together with other duties allocated promoting the business by arranging corporate golf days when necessary
- Typing of Tenders, Spreadsheets, daily reports for engineers
- Taking of monthly board meeting minutes
- Maintained a well-organized reception area with updated materials, contributing to a welcoming environment for visitors.
- Streamlined front desk operations for increased efficiency by effectively managing phone calls, emails, and walk-in clients.
- Cultivated positive relationships with clients through professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
- Supported company correspondence by drafting and distributing memos and emails.
- Established administrative work procedures to track staff's daily tasks.
- Identified and recommended changes to existing processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and quality service.
Education
Catering Management Course - Hospitality Administration And Management
WITWATERSRAND TECHNIKON HOTELSCHOOL
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
National Secretarial Certificate - Office Secretarial Administration
PIETERMARITZBURG TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa01.1987
MATRIC SENIOR CERTIFICATE - Education
Hoërskool Gert Maritz
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa01.1986
Skills
Calendar management
Client relations
Customer service
Strong communication skills
Time management
Event planning
Administrative support
Microsoft office proficiency
Multitasking and organization
Report writing
Personal correspondence
Travel coordination
Database entry
Strong work ethic
Dedicated team player
Project coordination
Attention to detail
Filing and data archiving
File and database management
Valid Driver's license
Organizing and preparing meetings
Travel arrangements
Social media savvy
Spreadsheet management
Travel planning expertise
Event planning experience
Calendar management proficiency
Meeting planning
Time management expertise
FLUENT IN English, Afrikaans and isizulu
Professional and mature
Meeting coordination experience
Schedule management
Errands
Office supply management
Exceptional organization
Fluent in multiple languages
Travel administration
Shipping and receiving packages
Call screening
Discretion and confidentiality
References
References are available on request.
Interests
Enjoying the beauty of nature living on a small holding is having the best of both worlds, Visiting interesting coffee shops, photography, baking & entertaining when time allows, Family time over the years have mostly been spent enjoying both my children live their passions for the love of building & racing race cars & performing music on stage
Timeline
PERSONAL ASSISTANT (to the Heads of Upper School and Director of Academics) Grade 8 to Grade 12
ST CHARLES COLLEGE
01.2023 - 04.2025
LEARNING & MEDIA CENTRE FACILITATOR (Grade 8 to Grade 12)
ST CHARLES COLLEGE
01.2020 - 12.2022
COMPUTER SKILLS & RESEARCH TEACHER (Junior Primary & Senior Primary School)
ST CHARLES COLLEGE
01.2006 - 12.2016
Catering Management Course - Hospitality Administration And Management
WITWATERSRAND TECHNIKON HOTELSCHOOL
04.2001 -
Personal Assistant to the Principal
LINPARK HIGH SCHOOL
01.2000 - 12.2005
Personal Assistant to the Financial Manager
ACTI CHEM PTY LTD (CHEMICAL COMPANY)
01.1995 - 04.1999
Receptionist/Secretary/Administrative Assistant
EBN TRADING IMPORT AND EXPORT COMPANY
01.1992 - 01.1995
Receptionist/Secretary/Administrative Assistant
BKS INCORPORATED CIVIL ENGINEERING
01.1990 - 12.1992
Personal Assistant to the Head of Media Service
EDUCATION MEDIA SERVICES LIBRARY
01.1989 - 12.1989
National Secretarial Certificate - Office Secretarial Administration
PIETERMARITZBURG TECHNICAL COLLEGE
MATRIC SENIOR CERTIFICATE - Education
Hoërskool Gert Maritz
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