Spoilt with a staffing contingent who our children absolutely love

At the heart of a creative classroom is a passionate teacher who has an awareness of the wonders of the world around her, and knows how to share them with her children.

MEET THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are spoilt with a staffing contingent who our children absolutely love. Our teachers are of the highest standard and we are fortunate to have had most of our teachers on staff for many years. This creates a sense of stability in our children.

Meet Our Teachers & Assistants

Principal and Grade R Teacher

Teacher Cindy

Our Principal, Teacher Cindy, is the teacher in the Blue Group. She teaches the Grade Rs - 5 turning 6. Teacher Cindy has been with the Dunvegan family for a year as principal and teacher but has been a part of the school since 2017 when her eldest child started at Dunvegan. Her youngest daughter is currently in the Red Group. She and her family have a deep love and appreciation for our special school and its incredible staff. She served as an EXCO member for many years. Teacher Cindy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is qualified in level 1 First Aid.

She has taught at preschool, primary school and high school level. She ran her own drama school for many years and also owned her own company specialising in uniquely South African educational toys for children. She has a keen interest in early childhood development and prides herself in creating firm, loving relationships with her students. Her classroom is often the loudest and messiest of the lot. She loves to spend her free time with her husband, 3 children, family and friends.

Favourite snack: Big corn bites, fruit pastilles, Belgian seashells

Drink: Coffee and Coke

Colour: Green

Holiday: Dullstroom, Knysna

Hobbies: Photography, events planning, cooking, baking, reading, antiques and hiking

Assistant

Teacher Michelle

Teacher Michelle works as an Assistant Teacher in the mornings. She rotates between the four older groups. Occasionally she assists the Aftercare with homework, reading and making sure that the children get to school safely. Teacher Michelle has a background in childcare and a passion for teaching.

She has a Tourism Diploma and is qualified in Level 1 First aid. She has been with the Dunvegan family for 4 years. Teacher Michelle possesses the qualities of love, flexibility and patience. The children are drawn to her caring, maternal nature. She enjoys spending time with her son, her husband and her family.

Favourite snack: Sugar free chocolate

Drink: Coffee

Colour: Navy blue

Holiday: Drakensburg

Hobbies: Reading my kindle, running

Deputy Principal and 3s to 4s Teacher

Teacher Tracey

The Red Group teacher is Teacher Tracey. She teaches the older 3 to 4 year olds. She has been the Deputy Principal for the last 5 years.

Teacher Tracey has been with the school for 15 years and brings with her many years of experience when educating the younger children. She studied Preprimary and Foundation phase teaching at Wits. She is also qualified in level 1 First Aid.

Teacher Tracey is very passionate about giving back and helping the school get involved with various charities. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Favourite snack: KitKat

Drink: Coke

Colour: Navy blue

Holiday: Drakensburg

Hobbies: Reading, running and hiking

Assistant

Teacher Inno

Teacher Inno is the Assistant Teacher in the Red Group. She works with the Junior aftercare as an Aftercare Teacher in the afternoons. She is qualified in Level 1 First Aid. Teacher Inno has been with the Dunvegan family for 7 years.

Teacher Inno believes in praise, love and encouragement and the children respond well to her calm, quiet nature.

She likes to spend her spare time with her children, her husband and her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Mint chocolate

Drink: Fanta Pineapple

Colour: Peach and purple

Holiday: Limpopo

Hobbies: Playing handball and volleyball

Aftercare Supervisor and 4s to 5s Teacher

Teacher Claire

The Turquoise Group teacher is Teacher Claire. She works with the younger 4 to 5 year olds. Teacher Claire has a Bachelor of Education Degree specialising in Pre-Primary and Foundation Phase. This will be her 12th year with the school. She is qualified in Level 1 First Aid.

Teacher Claire treats all of her children like her own and they thrive under her tender loving care. She believes in nurturing the whole child and she enjoys finding new ways to help children learn. Teacher Claire is also the Aftercare Supervisor which keeps her busy with homework, reading and fun activities in the afternoons.

She likes to spend her spare time with her husband, her daughter and her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Caramel chocolate bar

Drink: Sprite Zero

Colour: Peach

Holiday: St Lucia

Hobbies: Family time and watching TV

Assistant

Teacher Lethu

Teacher Lethu is an Assistant Teacher to our older groups. She also works with the Juniors in the afternoons as an Aftercare Teacher. She has been with the Dunvegan family for a year and 3 months. She has many years of experience working with children.

Teacher Lethu has a kind, caring nature and she has a passion for teaching. She thoroughly enjoys creative art and the children cannot wait to show their parents what they have created. She is qualified with an N4 in Human Resource Management as well as Level 1First Aid. She is currently studying further to become a qualified teacher.

She likes to spend time with her family and her children.

Favourite snack: PS chocolate bar

Drink: Mango juice

Colour: Black

Holiday: Bela Bela

Hobbies: Reading novels and watching movies

18 Months to 3s Teacher

Teacher Alta

Teacher Alta works in the Purple Group with the children aged 18 months and older. She cares for her toddlers like they were her own and she has the patience of a saint.

Teacher Alta is qualified in Level 3 First Aid. She has her Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase. She has been with the Dunvegan family for 8 years.

When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her 4 children.

Favourite snack: Milk chocolate and nougat

Drink: Coke

Colour: Turquoise and dove blue

Holiday: The sea

Hobbies: Baking, reading and sewing

Assistant and Holiday Club Supervisor

Teacher Charmaine

Teacher Charmaine works as an assistant teacher in the Purple Group in the mornings. She has been with the school for 9 years. She has a NQF Level 4 Preprimary Qualification. In the afternoons, she works as an Aftercare Teacher and she takes care of the Grade 2’s. She makes sure that our Senior Aftercare children are completing their homework and engaging in fun activities.

You can usually find Teacher Charmaine on the playground teaching the children a new game or getting involved in an activity. She has an infectious laugh and the children love laughing and playing with Teacher Charmaine. She enjoys spending time with her children, her family and her friends.

Her fun-loving nature means that she is the perfect holiday club supervisor where the days are full of exciting and imaginative activities.

Favourite snack: Chocolate, KitKat

Drink: Coke

Colour: Dark green

Holiday: Mozambique

Hobbies: Skipping and playing games

3s to 4s Teacher

Teacher Bongie

Teacher Bongie teaches the younger 3 to 4 year olds in the Orange Group. She has been at Dunvegan for 14 years and she continues to find creative ways to support the children’s learning. She loves to get involved in games with the children.

Teacher Bongie started as an Assistant Teacher in the Orange group and then studied through Safe and Sound to obtain a Level 4, ECD. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education Degree through SANTS. She is also qualified in Level 1 First Aid.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Favourite snack: Sugar free chocolate

Drink: Iron Brew

Colour: Purple

Holiday: Umthatha

Hobbies: Baking and cooking

Assistant

Teacher Ntombi

Teacher Ntombi is the Assistant Teacher in the Orange Group. She moves over to the Purple Group in the afternoons as an Aftercare Teacher. Ntombi is qualified in Level 1 First Aid and she has a Professional Day Care qualification. She has been at Dunvegan for 15 years and she has a special bond with all the children that have been under her care.

She is particularly good at settling children during drop off and sleep time.

She enjoys spending time with her family and her grandchildren.

Favourite snack: Lunch bar

Food: Stew and rice

Colour: Purple

Holiday: Mpumalanga

Hobbies: Cleaning and playing netball

4s to 5s Teacher

Teacher Lynne

Teacher Lynne teaches the older 4 to 5 year olds in the Green Group. She has a BA in Physical Education and a BA Honours in Psychology. Teacher Lynne has many years of experience with Martial Arts so she imparts her knowledge with fantastic movement lessons. She is qualified in Level 1 First Aid.

Teacher Lynne has been with Dunvegan for 19 years. She has a passion for making learning fun, memorable and meaningful. You will often hear singing and laughter coming from the Green Group.

She enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Cadbury diary milk chocolate

Drink: Coffee Milkshake

Colour: Purple

Holiday: Anywhere in nature

Hobbies: Running, meditation, cycling, tennis, piano, Jungian Psychology

Assistant

Teacher Annette

Teacher Annette joined our team at the beginning of the year as an assistant teacher to the older groups in the mornings and a senior aftercare teacher in the afternoons. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education Degree through SANTS.

Teacher Annette has also completed a chef's course and one of her hidden talents is baking. She has a way of making ordinary lessons come to life with her creative and engaging hands-on approach.

She spends her spare time with her family and friends.

Favourite snack: Any jelly sweets

Drink: Coffee and Coke

Colour: Lime green and baby blue

Holiday: I love going to Richtersveld with no signal where I can relax

Hobbies: Jogging, cycling and baking

Grade R Teacher

Teacher Chantelle

Teacher Chantelle is the Grade R Teacher in the Yellow Group. She has been with the Dunvegan family for 10 years. Teacher Chantelle studied through Wits University to obtain a Higher Diploma in Education specialising in Preprimary and Foundation Phase. She is also qualified in Level 1 First Aid.

Teacher Chantelle takes the time to connect with each one of her students and helps them to achieve their best. She excels at making sure that her Grade R’s are ready for Grade 1. Many of her students go on to be leaders and prefects at their Primary Schools.

She likes to spend her spare time with her two boys, her husband, her family and friends. Both her boys have come through the nursery school and are now at Dunvegan Primary.

Favourite snack: Bar One and mint chocolate

Drink: Coke

Colour: Blue

Holiday: Kruger Park

Hobbies: Photography and Cricut machine

Junior Aftercare Teacher

Teacher Sanelisiwe

Teacher Sane as she is affectionately known truly is a ray of sunshine. She has been a part of our team for a year. Her warm demeanour and happy smile mean that our children naturally gravitate towards her. She assists Teacher Lethu and Teacher Inno in the afternoons with the Junior Aftercare children.

Together, they make a formidable team. You will often find her on the playground engaging the children in a host of games or challenging them to a game of netball. She is currently in her 3rd year of studies.

She enjoys spending her spare time with her sisters.

Favourite snack: Jelly babies

Drink: Sprite

Colour: Blue

Holiday: Mpumalanga

Hobbies: Singing, reading, thrill seeking adventures.

Senior Afrercare Teacher

Teacher Naledi

Naledi is the newest member of our family. She started working in the Senior Aftercare as an extra set of hands but has recently become the Grade 4 to 7 homework teacher. Naledi is studying a Bachelor of Education Senior and FET phase, majoring in Accounting and Business studies at Unisa.

She excels at helping children understand challenging concepts, providing extra help with assignments, and offering additional resources to enhance their learning skills for tests and exams.

She spends her spare time with her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Jelly Tots

Drink: Tea (black or green)

Colour: Khaki

Holiday: Christmas time!

Hobbies: Dancing

Senior Aftercare Teacher

Teacher Cassandra

Teacher Cassandra is one of our senior aftercare teachers who works with the Grade 1 learners. She has a passion for educating children and is currently in her third year of studying a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase teaching through Stadio. She also has a higher certificate in Early Childhood Education and experience as an au pair.

Cassandra strives to give each student individual attention, ensuring that they have the help and encouragement they need, whether it’s with homework or just talking about their day.

She enjoys planning fun activities such as outdoor games, cooking lessons and more. When she is not working she loves to spend time with her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Dark chocolate

Drink: Chai tea & coconut water

Colour: Royal Blue

Holiday: Christmas

Hobbies: Horse riding

Meet Our Staff

Administrator

Patsy

Patsy is the office administrator for the school. This will be her 6th year with the Dunvegan family. She manages the day-to-day operations and makes sure our school runs like a well-oiled machine. She is the welcoming face that parents meet when coming to our school and she is the friendly voice on the phone.

Patsy is extremely organized and proficient at her job and we would be lost without her. Patsy has a kind and nurturing nature and the children love spending time with her in the office, even if it’s just for a quick hug. Patsy has a BA in Psychology as well as an Accounts and Business background. She is also qualified in Level 1 First Aid.

She spends her spare time with her two daughters, her husband and her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Nougat

Drink: Tea and Oros

Colour: Blue

Holiday: New York

Hobbies: Running and walking my dogs

Cleaning Custodian

Connie

Connie works for the school as a cleaning custodian. She takes pride in all that she does and Connie loves to make you laugh. Connie has a keen eye for making our school look beautiful and she often adds flowers or trinkets to the foyer. She is always smiling and she is happy to take on any task.

Connie has been with the school for 13 years. She is qualified in Level 1 First Aid. She has many years of experience and she is an asset to our school.

Connie likes to spend her spare time with her 5 children (3 adopted and 2 of her own), her family and friends.

Favourite snack: Crisps

Drink: Juice

Colour: Grey

Holiday: Kwazulu Natal

Hobbies: Reading and attending church

Cleaning Custodian

Siziphiwe

Siziphiwe works for the school as a cleaning custodian and she also works as an Assistant Teacher where needed. This will be her 4th year with the Dunvegan family. She is very creative when it comes to making up games for the children to play.

You will often hear her singing while she works. The children love to get involved and you will see Siziphiwe chatting and laughing with the children. She has a gentle and kind nature and we have really enjoyed having her on our team. She is qualified in Level 1 First Aid.

She enjoys spending time with her twin boys, friends and family.

Favourite snack: Mint chocolate

Drink: Coke

Colour: Grey

Hobbies: Netball and watching TV

Cleaning Custodian

Mavis

Mavis is a cleaning custodian at our school. She comes in three times a week. She helps with the duties that include cleaning windows, walls and cupboards. Every Saturday she does a thorough clean of the school.

Mavis is a cheerful, sincere and loyal employee who is devoted to her job. She has a Laboratory Assistant qualification through the College of Education in Limpopo as well as a Level 1 First Aid. She has many years of experience and this will be her 10th year with us.

Mavis spends her spare time with her two children, her husband and friends and family.

Favourite snack: Mint chocolate

Drink: Orange Juice

Colour: Black

Holiday: Polokwane

Hobbies: Watching movies, going to church, singing

School Caretaker

Walter

Walter is our School Caretaker. He makes sure our school always looks neat and tidy. He is also our resident handyman and he is very good at problem solving. Walter has a happy disposition and you can often hear him singing a song. He also has a great love for children and they really enjoy sharing their stories with him.

He has been with the school for over 20 years. Walter has a Level 1 First Aid qualification as well as a Fire Safety certificate. He resides on the property.

He likes to spend his spare time with his children, his wife, friends and family.

Favourite snack: Ice-cream

Drink: Coke (No Sugar)

Colour: Brown

Holiday: Game Park

Hobbies: Preach

Security Guard

Princess

Princess recently joined the DNS family as the school as the Security Guard. She has fitted in so well that it feels like she has always been with us. She already knows all the children by name and she cares for them like they were her own. Princess has a Level 1 First Aid qualification.

She has a Security Guard qualification through Psira. We feel safe and protected when Princess is around and we are very glad to have her on our team. Princess likes to spend her times with her friends and family.

Her daughter is in the Green Group and we look forward to watching her grow.

Favourite snack: Top Deck

Drink: Orange Juice

Colour: Yellow

Holiday: Durban

Hobbies: Going to church

Kitchen Queen and Aftercare Teacher

Samantha

Sam has the responsibility of managing the kitchen at school. She follows strict hygiene protocols and the kitchen always looks spick and span. The children are all very fond of Sam’s caring nature and they have great fun trying to guess what she has put onto the bread for the day. She also seems to have an endless supply of spoons. Sam has been with the school for 12 years. She has a Level 1 First Aid qualification as well as a Childcare and Cooking certificate.

She has recently joined the Purple Group in the afternoon, alongside Teacher Ntombi as an assistant. She is thoroughly enjoying her new position as an aftercare teacher.

She spends her spare time with her 3 girls, her husband and her friends and family.

Favourite snack: Mint chocolate

Drink: Fruit Juice

Colour: Pink

Holiday: Limpopo

Hobbies: Listening to Gospel songs and attending church and going out

Our Resident Therapists

Occupational Therapist

Carla de Swart

Our school is lucky enough to host Carla once a week to help our little ones who are experiencing learning difficulties.

Carla has a BSc Occupational Therapy from Wits University. She previously worked at Protea and School of Achievement remedial schools and has been in full time private practice since 2001.

She joined the Dunvegan Nursery School team in 2023.

Speech Therapist

Denise Anderson

Our school is lucky enough to host Denise once a week to help our little ones who are experiencing speech difficulties.

Denise has a BA Speech and Hearing Therapy degree from WITS University. She has worked with the children of Dunvegan Nursery School from 2009 in private practice as a speech and language pathologist.

She is passionate about the development of speech and language and literacy skills in the early years.