ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius — The Gwendoline van Putten (GvP) School has appointed Mirella Thijm as its first Executive Director, marking a significant milestone in the school’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance and improve the quality of secondary and vocational education on St. Eustatius.
Thijm officially assumed the position on 1 August 2026 following a comprehensive reform of the school’s governance structure. The appointment forms part of a broader organizational transformation that includes the introduction of a new two-tier governance model, replacing the previous one-tier structure.
According to the GvP School Board, the new Executive Director position provides greater executive authority and establishes a clearer separation between day-to-day management and supervisory responsibilities. The governance reforms were implemented following recommendations contained in the latest education inspection report and an independent organizational review carried out by consultancy firm SOAB.
The School Board described Thijm as a well-known member of the Statia community who brings valuable leadership experience to the role. She will lead the next phase of the school’s development as it continues implementing a comprehensive improvement plan aimed at strengthening educational quality and organizational performance.
The governance reforms also include the establishment of a Supervisory Board. Gerard Berkel has been appointed as its inaugural Chair, effective 1 August. A native of St. Eustatius, Berkel brings extensive experience in governance and organizational leadership and will oversee the school’s strategic supervision under the new governance model.
In announcing the appointments, the School Board said it is confident that the new leadership structure will contribute to a stronger and more sustainable future for secondary and vocational education on the island.
The appointments conclude a year in which GvP has undertaken a broad improvement programme, supported by a change manager, an educational consultant and the school’s staff, to implement recommendations arising from recent external reviews.
Governance reforms
BES-Reporter will publish a separate article examining the governance reforms and the reasons behind GvP’s transition to its new organizational structure.
