Raphaeli Waldorf School Staff

THE NEED FOR IMAGINATION, A SENSE OF TRUTH & A FEELING OF RESPONSIBILITY ARE THE THREE FORCES WHICH ARE THE VERY NERVE OF EDUCATION - RUDOLF STEINER

Raphaeli Staff - The People Behind The Magic

WILMIE MONK

PEDAGOGICAL COORDINATOR

I receive the greatest joy from working with children. Each developmental stage is to me like a book waiting to be opened and read and learned from. I find children mysterious and incredibly wise, creative and truly inspiring. I love teaching at Raphaeli as I have the freedom to work with the children as individuals and be present in the company of great little human beings.

GESINA HUMAN

CLASS TEACHER

What I love about teaching at Raphaeli! I love teaching my class, they motivate me to constantly find creative ways to teach and grow as a human being. I feel inspired by our Raphaeli community and the prospect of our school going into the future is an exiting challenge that drives me to stay positive and willing to be present.

GILL WELLS

CLASS TEACHER

I have been teaching at Raphaeli for nearly ten years. What I love the most about our school are our children. I love watching them play at break. They make up the most creative games & play together. All ages join in & there is great happiness & lots of energy. They create forts & act out imaginative games that are inspired by what they are learning in class. Our children are happy individuals who are confident in their own skin. Witnessing their happiness inspires me as a teacher.

JESSICA-LEIGH GANNON

CLASS TEACHER

“Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth and a feeling of responsibility- these three forces are the very nerve of education”

– Rudolf Steiner

STEFANIE VERMAAK

CLASS TEACHER

I’m Stefanie Vermaak. I am from the sunny Namaqualand! I have a passion for education, as well as music and art. I also enjoy getting in touch with nature and spending time outdoors. I strive to always treat everyone with kindness and respect and treat others as I would want to be treated. My goal is to make the world a better place by instilling strong values into our youth and thereby creating the leaders of tomorrow.

VARUSHKA GALLANT

CLASS TEACHER

Varushka has a BEd degree in education and has been teaching for five years. Varushka relocated back to her hometown in Plett from the Eastern Cape. “Nothing beats being able to come back to my roots and contribute to a community that is so close to my heart.” says Varushka, whose educational philosophy is based around building healthy relationships and awakening potential.

ANJA SNYMAN

CLASS TEACHER

Every child is a different flower. All together, they make this world a beautiful garden.” How wonderful it is to help children grow into their utmost beautiful selves. I have a great passion for working with children to guide them on this journey of life.

DANIEL BOSHOFF

CLASS TEACHER

– Rudolf Steiner

NOBESUTHU GUBULA

PLAYGROUP TEACHER

I have the opportunity to learn & better myself, as well as broaden my horizon at Raphaeli. It continues to inspire & guide my training & work with the wonderful & dedicated teachers. One of my biggest joys has been working with my colleagues whose love & passion for this work brings courage & inspiration to so many. Rudolf Steiner says that when we change automatic behaviours, we change our life forces & return more to the realm of becoming, of metamorphosis. We can feel it right away.

LIZELLE MIDDLETON

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

Having taught in South Africa, England, and Dubai for the last 19 years, I can confidently say I’ve rediscovered my passion for teaching since joining Raphaeli. The environment is reminiscent of a magical world of fairy tales, where children feel safe while exploring the world around them. Incorporating music, singing, and movement into my daily rhythm is important for developing fine and gross motor skills, as well as vocabulary, mathematics and social-emotional development. Our Waldorf curriculum not only boosts a child’s self-confidence but also allows them to develop a strong sense of self. It brings me great joy to assist children in becoming loving and kind individuals who take pride in their growing independence and capabilities.

NKOSINATHI NDLOVU

EURYTHMY TEACHER

I am Nkosinathi Ndlovu, all the way from KwaZuluNatal. My destiny has led me to this vibrant, yet calm part of the world. It has been wonderful being in Plettenberg Bay. I have been enjoying working in Raphaeli Waldorf School with warm-hearted and supportive colleagues. I have come to share my light of the art form called Eurythmy with the school and the community at large.

SUSANNA OLIVIER

AFRIKAANS TEACHER

– Rudolf Steiner

EMMA HURWITZ

ASSISTANT CLASS TEACHER

I’ve always had a passion for teaching and working with children to help them reach their goals through incorporating fun, and artistic ways of learning. I am both lucky and grateful to be part of Raphaeli Waldorf School, not only to make my passion a reality, but to also be able to do it in a creative and fun environment, through a culturally rich curriculum.

ROXY LOURENS

PR AND MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR

My family and I moved to Plett in 2021 for a teaching post at Raphaeli for the then class 1 group and as a kindergarten for my own children. This school is the most incredible place that i have ever worked! I had the opportunity to take my class through their junior primary journey … until my maternity leave of my third child, when this position opened in the school. I am so grateful that I can be a part of this amazing community. I love Raphaeli and love that it’s my job to share our wonderful story!

SHANNON DAY

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

“I feel blessed to be part of a team of caring and engaging teachers who genuinely ‘see’ and guide each child individually.

I joined Raphaeli roughly 5 years ago and have seen the true blossoming of children who have been encouraged to be and celebrated for being themselves.”