Heads of Departments have a distinctive role in shaping the excellence of education within their departments and throughout the whole school. Meet these crucial intermediaries from our local schools.
Davani Pillay
The Deputy Head of Star College Primary Davani Pillay has boundless energy and always ensures timely task completion. She fosters excellent relations with parents, students, and staff. Davini is a meticulous and confident Deputy Principal who serves as a role model, dedicated to maintaining the institution’s excellence. Star College’s ethos nurtures a drive for learning, participation and competition to promote holistic growth. By excelling academically while engaging in sports and culture, students are prepared for life beyond school, embodying this ethos. Details: www.starcollege.co.za
Ronel Harmse
Having been at Hillcrest High School for 15 years, Ronel Harmse is the Head of Life Sciences and is a Grade Controller. She is also the Head of Culture and the teacher in charge of photography. She says the pastoral aspect of her job is rewarding. “It is always fulfilling to know you are impacting a young life positively and help them when they need it. It gives me great joy to acknowledge achievements and to give out awards to the learners in our care.” Ronel’s philosophy is: Be kind, be patient and speak quietly and calmly when working with children placed in your care. Details: www.hhs.co.za, 031-7651215, [email protected],Past Pupils & Supporters: [email protected]
Dierdre Horsfall
At Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School, they offer a niche in the Independent Schools’ market. A wide variety of opportunities are underpinned by the school’s ethos, which at the core embraces mutual respect, integrity, social justice and loyalty to a school of sisters. “We offer a different voice based on our identity. In our view, school should be fun and a place to belong,” said Principal Deirdre Horsfall.
Details: 031-5635390,[email protected] , www.fatima.co.za
Reynard White
Reynard White is the newly appointed Executive Head of Epworth School. With over 32 years of education experience, he is well poised to lead the school into the next phase of its successful journey. “For 125 years, Epworth has stood as a remarkable institution that has embraced a profound and enduring purpose. This has been built on the pillars of faith, compassion, and courage. Epworth stands as a testament to the power of education that inspires individuals to reach their fullest potential, while fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and unity,” said Reynard. Details: www.epworth.co.za, [email protected], 033 846 2500
Dean Balie
At Treverton you see a school where their 270 square-hectare wildlife campus is fully integrated into the education of the children, bringing life and relevance into academics, sports (non-traditional and traditional), culture, technology and wellbeing towards a sustainable future for all. Dean Balie, the head of Academics for Grades 8 and 9, is practically involved in rethinking curriculum to ensure that students develop critical thinking, stewardship of resources, and become the problem solvers our nation needs.
Roland Lacock
“2023 is another exciting year at Highbury; this year we celebrate our 120th birthday. Founded in 1903, our school has grown into an organisation of significant stature. While much has changed across the globe, we are proud that the core values upon which our school’s foundations were built remain firm. Highbury is a Christian school for boys. We celebrate our deep heritage and traditions whilst we strive to be progressively contemporary. Respectfully monastic, we educate our boys to grow into good men and leaders for tomorrow.” – Mr Roland Lacock, Headmaster.
Details: 031 765 9800, [email protected], www.hps.co.za
Vernie Govender
Vernie Govender has been at Roseway Waldorf for 23 years. She is the school’s dedicated HOD for Mathematics and Science, and chairperson for the High School Faculty. Roseway Waldorf Schools follow a prescribed independent curriculum. Within the framework of phases of child development and academic subjects, students are provided with practical activities in environments that encourage imaginative thinking. We strive to create a healthy community where students learn with enthusiasm and purpose, and endeavor to become independent, creative thinkers.
Vani Rangasamy
Deputy Principal of Northlands Girls’ High School Vani Rangasamy began her journey at Northlands in January 1999. As the school turns 75 in 2004, she will be celebrating her 25th anniversary at the school – a testimony of her love and bond with the school, staff and learners. “They have become a part of who I am and the reason why I strive, every day, to live by its three core values of; Integrity, Commitment and Compassion. As a school, we remain firmly rooted in all the traditions, cultures and norms that built the foundations of a fine establishment whilst accepting the need to transform in areas that will allow our school and its learners to grow and adapt.”
Gail Ross
Gail Ross became a valued member of the Kloof High School family in 2020 as the Head of the Academic Support Unit (ASU). With an impressive 34 years of teaching experience, 13 of which have been in this context, she brings a wealth of expertise to the institution. The new ASU stands as a testament to her and her team’s dedication to helping children to overcome barriers to learning, and therefore to realise their potential. The ASU building, the Yellowwood Centre, consists of five classrooms, break-away rooms, and a meeting area for staff.
Details: www.kloofhigh.co.za
Ilse Sauerman
Kloof Junior Primary School has just had the formal opening of its Academic Support Unit (ASU). This unit is headed by their dynamic leader Ilse Sauerman who took over the reins in January 2023. Thanks to the vision of the School Governing Body and the support of the Wessels’ Trust, Ilse has been able to set up a Wiggle Room, a Book Worms Room, a Creation Station and two therapy rooms in the ASU block. This vision will allow learners to begin their process of Learning to Leap.
Estelle Thurston
Estelle Thurston joined the Kloof Senior Primary (KSP) family in 2015. In 2020 she was appointed as Head of Department for Academics. She wanted to become a teacher for as long as she can remember. “Being a part of a child’s educational journey, helping them grow and seeing their faces light up when they master a skill is simply marvelous. Our staff, working together as a team, ensures that KSP is a dynamic school where the potential of every child is unleashed,” she says.
Details: www.kloofsps.co.za
Shirley Vincent
Kloof Pre-Primary School (KPP) turned 50 last year and are honoured to play a part in so many people’s early years of learning, while creating many happy memories along the way. Many of the community would have enjoyed Shirley Vincent as their teacher, who has been at KPP since 2008, as well as between 1998 and 2001. The school honours Shirley as she is leaving KPP this year, and she has touched so many lives along the way. Details: 031 7641577, www.kloofpp.org.za,
[email protected]
