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.
Dr Kathryn McFarland
At Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School, their Head of Physical Sciences, Dr Kathryn McFarland, worked towards her PhD in Chemistry, with a dynamic research group, focusing on isolating and identifying potentially pharmacologically active constituents of plants used in traditional medicine. Her career aspiration when leaving school was to become a Physics and Maths teacher. After studying, working and part time lecturing, she had the chance to get into teaching high school Physics and has so enjoyed being able to motivate girl scientists to pursue their passion. Details: 031 563 5390 • fatima.co.za
Naretha Pretorius
Naretha Pretorius is the Campus Head and co-founder of IIE-Vega School, Durban Campus. Naretha is a practicing artist with a Master’s in Fine Art (Cum Laude), and a Reframed Thinking and Design Thinking Facilitator with a passion for human and creative development and a strong belief in the creative potential of all humans and organisations. Her expertise is in creative solution finding, with experience in brand building and brand culture. Naretha is a qualified Integral Coach, also trained in NLP, and is a TEDx and keynote speaker. Details: 031 569 1415 • vegaschool.com
Roland Lacock
Headmaster at Highbury Preparatory School, Roland Lacock, says the school is excited about 2024 and the wonderful learning opportunities that are available to their boys. “We look forward to watching our boys develop on their journey of growing into young gentlemen. With 121 years of ‘knowing boys’, we are proud of our rich heritage. Deeply committed to a holistic approach to the children’s education, we create a learning environment where our boys and teachers feel an authentic sense of belonging. 2024 will be a year filled with learning, growth and fun.” Details: 031 765 9800 • hps.co.za
Charmaine Jury
Charmaine Jury is currently the Head of the Learner Academic Support (LAS) Unit at Kloof Senior Primary School. The LAS Unit was established in 2014 and Charmaine took over as the head of the unit in 2021.The unit is designed to provide academic support to learners, with a class of about 15 learners per grade. Charmaine and her LAS team are described as dynamic, and they prioritise the learners’ needs to ensure they can achieve their full potential. Details: 031 764 0211• kloofsps.co.za
Bryony Green
Bryony Green, who has been Principal of Waterfall College since 2022, joined the team in 2009, initially teaching Mathematical Literacy and Life Sciences. Bryony enjoys being part of Waterfall College because it is a place where connection is prioritised and where students feel like they belong. This year, Waterfall College celebrates its 20th anniversary as a school that prides itself in providing affordable, quality independent education, firmly rooted in the Christian faith. Details: 031 710 1824 • waterfallcollege.co.za
Daryl Franks
Oakridge College is known by some parents as the “Hidden Gem” of Durban North Education, and is a happy, disciplined, co-educational high school. It caters for grade 8 to 12 learners and had strong academic results in the National Senior Matriculation examinations. “Oakridge has been in existence for 25 years with a 98 percent pass rate from grade 8 to grade 12, and all learners who applied to university over the past five years have been successfully placed,” says Principal Daryl Franks. Details: 031 563 2221 • oakridge.co.za
Jo Leuschke
Jo Leuschke joined Hillcrest High School more than 13 years ago and despite being a seasoned teacher, with 24 years of experience, she has not lost her passion nor her spark.
As the Head of the Learner Support Unit, she advocates for learners who find the traditional school system challenging, working to provide individualised support within the smaller classes in the unit. She also heads up the Mathematics and Maths Lit Departments diligently ensuring that academic excellence is maintained. Details 031 765 1215 • hhs.co.za
TS Reddy
At Northlands Girls’ High School they pride themselves on their academic excellence, combined with a healthy balance of experiences beyond lessons.
“This is what gives our young ladies the confidence and skills to excel in school, at university, and beyond. One of the school’s key aims is to prepare our learners for the fast-changing world of the 21st century, so they strive to be the best that they can be; academically, morally, and creatively,” says Principal TS Reddy. Details: 031 571 1100 • nghs.co.za
Shamima Hoosen
As an esteemed educator with an impressive 35-year tenure in the field of teaching, Shamima Hoosen, is an invaluable asset to the Roseway Waldorf School. As Head of the Matric Department, Shamima leads with passion and dedication, achieving a consistent 100 per cent pass rate and numerous distinctions. She embodies Roseway school’s commitment to meeting the individual needs of each student across all disciplines and empowers them to set their full potential in all areas of their lives. Details 031 768 1309 • rosewaywaldorf.school.za
Candice Saunders
Kloof Junior Primary School congratulates Candice Saunders on her appointment as Deputy Principal from January 2024. Candice has been at Kloof Junior Primary since 2017 where she was appointed as Departmental Head. She is described as a vibrant and passionate member of staff with a positive outlook on life, who is motivated to make a difference in all that she does. As a proactive member of the school, with excellent leadership skills, the school says it is privileged to have her take up the role of Deputy Principal. Details 031 764 3157 • kloofjp.org.za
Ahmet Kayya
Star College’s humble Principal, Ahmet Kayya, is the Head of the Pre-Primary, Primary, Girls’ High, and Boys’ High sectors. He presents outstanding communication skills, organizational skills, problem-solving skills, vision and leadership qualities, and runs the school like a well-oiled machine. Not only is he a dynamic leader but an educator that makes the classroom environment feel comfortable and safe and his enthusiasm rubs off on all. With an open-door policy he believes there is nothing that cannot be resolved over a cup of Turkish tea. Details 031 262 7191• starcollege.co.za
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, in the Yellowwood Centre, consists of five classrooms, break-away rooms, and a meeting area for staff. Details: 031 764 0451 • kloofhigh.co.za
Julia Meekers
Kloof Pre-Primary is delighted to introduce Julia Meekers who will be their Acting Principal from March 2024. Julia has been teaching pre-primary for almost 26 years and has been at KPP for seven years. She has also been an acting principal in Umhlanga, as well as a principal in Somerset West for five years. She brings with her, years of experience and a heart and passion for teaching little ones. The moto she lives by is: “Kindness is a gift that everyone can afford to give.” Details 031 764 1577 • kloofpp.org.za
Heidi Rea
Heidi Rea, the Executive Head and Head of Durban Girls’ College, took up the leadership in January 2022. Heidi qualified from the University of the Witwatersrand with a BSc Mathematics Major and continues to broaden her scope by completing her Honours Degree in Psychology. With over 30 years of educational experience, she has been engaged in designing and driving DGC’s strategic direction, whilst managing the school through an educational landscape that is forever changing. Heidi is married to Greg and is the mother of four children. A keen mountain biker who enjoys reading, her passions are the bush and the ocean. Details 031 268 7200 • dgc.co.za
