Junior Primary

Head of Junior Phase
& Grade 3 Teacher
Mrs S Redinger

My name is Shirleen Redinger. As a dedicated and experienced Grade Three teacher and Head of the Foundation Phase, I am passionate about theme-based learning, which helps children understand the interconnected world, fostering creativity and innovation. This approach not only excites students but also inspires me to find new activities and materials to enhance their education.
Research supports theme-based learning, particularly Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, which promotes a more inclusive and effective educational experience. I tailor my teaching to accommodate various learning styles, such as auditory, visual, or kinaesthetic preferences.
For example, the Time2Read program develops auditory skills and links sounds with symbols to improve reading and spelling. In Mathematics, practical activities help children apply concepts to real-life situations. Music, a personal favorite teaching aid, enhances cognition and academic performance, while musical productions boost self-esteem and communication skills. Hands-on art and craft activities encourage decision-making and creativity, reinforcing concepts and promoting innovative thinking.
To support gifted learners, I include extension and enrichment activities in learning centers around the classroom. Recognizing the need for movement breaks, I provide intervals throughout the day to re-energize students and improve productivity.

Grade 2 Teacher
Mrs T Rafferty

I am Tordi Rafferty, the Grade 2 teacher at NHP. Having been involved in education for the past 20 years at different levels, Grade 2 is definitely my favourite year group!
In our class, I am an advocate of promoting a love of literature. I firmly believe that if you are a reader, you have a great advantage, not only for learning new things, but also to just enjoy the magic
of a growing imagination.
I approach each day as an opportunity for singing, dancing and learning. No two days are ever the same. The Grade 2’s learn to become more independent, to express their creativity and become problem solvers. A growth mind-set is encouraged where they learn from their mistakes and are confident to tackle new challenges.

Grade 1 Teacher
Mrs N Borain

My name is Nicolle Borain, and I am proud to have been a part of the New Hanover Prep family for the past ten years. With extensive experience in both our Pre-Primary and Foundation Phase, I am deeply passionate about helping children reach their individual potential. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing their faces light up with pride when they succeed.
Grade 1 is a pivotal year, serving as the bridge between Pre-Primary and Primary school. It sets the foundation and expectations for the years to come, making it a crucial period for self-discovery and character building. In our classroom, we focus on developing social interactions, fostering relationships with peers, staff, and other schools, and nurturing essential skills such as self-regulation, empathy, work ethic, and resilience.
I am dedicated to creating a supportive and enriching environment where every child can thrive and grow. I look forward to every year of learning and discovery with my Grade 1s.

Zulu, Computer and Robotics Teacher
Mrs S Meyiwa

My name is Siyabonga Meyiwa, and I have been an integral part of the New Hanover Prep Family for the past three years. During my tenure, I have had the pleasure of working across various educational phases, including the Pre-Primary, Foundation, and Senior Phases. My primary teaching
subjects are Zulu (Second Additional Language), Information Technology (IT), Coding, and Robotics.
I am passionate about education and thoroughly enjoy working with children, guiding them as they develop and grow. My experience spans teaching students from Grade 1 to Grade 3, where I have had the privilege of witnessing their journey to reaching their fullest potentials. Zulu (Second Additional Language): Fostering linguistic skills and cultural appreciation. Information Technology: Imparting essential IT skills to prepare students for a digital future.
Coding and Robotics: Introducing young learners to the exciting world of coding and robotics, nurturing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and technological aptitude. At New Hanover Prep, we introduce computers, coding, and robotics from Grade 1-3, ensuring that even our youngest students begin developing critical skills early on.

Computers:
Mouse Skills: Teaching students how to use a mouse effectively.
Keyboard Skills: Focusing on typing skills to enhance their digital literacy.
Software and hardware: Educational Tools: Software can provide interactive
learning experiences, helping children understand complex concepts through games
and simulations.
Creativity Enhancement: Programs for drawing, music creation, and storytelling
allow kids to express their creativity.
Access to Information: Educational software and the internet provide a wealth of
knowledge on any subject of interest.
Coding and Robotics:
Spatial Awareness and Shape Recognition: Helping students understand space and
shapes, which are foundational concepts in both coding and robotics.
Design and Imagination: Encouraging creativity and innovation through design
projects.
Instruction Following and Giving: Emphasizing the importance of following and
providing clear instructions, a key aspect of programming and robotics.

German, Deutsch and Music Teacher
Mrs E Wortmann

My name is Elisabeth Wortmann. I am the Music and German teacher at New Hanover Preparatory
School. I teach in all phases from Gr RRR all the way up to Gr 7.
I started my teaching career as a Gr 1 class teacher and Music teacher at Wittenberg Laerskool many years
ago. Since then I had the priviledge of gaining a lot of experience in teaching both Music and German to
younger kids (preschoolers and primary school) and older kids (Gr 11 and Matrics), and even some adults.
I have always loved teaching young kids, who are still open to some fantasy and fun in the classroom.
Both Music and German allow me to indulge in these aspects of teaching.
In the Foundation phase of New Hanover Preparatory School I teach Class Music/Choir to Grades 1, 2
and 3, aswell as Recorder to the Gr 2’s and Gr 3’s, and German First Additional Language and Second
Additional Language to Gr 2’s and 3’s.
New Hanover Preparatory school was founded by the German settlers in the area, so German as a subject
has always been an integral part of the school’s curriculum. The German speaking children have their
German lessons separately from the other kids because we can already focus on German phonics, spelling
and reading. The English/Zulu speaking kids are introduced to German as a second additional language
which involves more listening and speaking. They learn the basics of greeting, counting, colours, the basic
sentence structure and vocabulary for various topics, such as the family, our body, the house, etc. and
various verbs. All this is done in a more informal way with the use of songs, puppets and dialogues,
games, videos and simple worksheets.
Learning other languages has several benefits for the development of the child because it requires mental
flexibility, problem solving and multitasking skills. Language learning improves memory, attention and
overall cognitive development.
I am also very enthusiastic about my other subject Music, not only because it is such fun and allows for
creativity, but also because of the added benefits it brings to the children’s development. Making music
increases brain power and functionality, improves maths and language skills, boosts short and long term
memory, it enhances gross and fine motor skills, it builds empathy and helps us to express our emotions, it
is a natural stress reliever. Music promotes equity, inclusion and belonging.
At New Hanover Preparatory all the children learn how to play an instrument, the recorder. It is an
affordable instrument and easy to carry in a school bag. During both their recorder and class music
lessons they are exposed to rhythm, pitch and the other elements of music. They apply what they learn to
their own little compositions. In class music they learn it through singing, playing percussion instruments,
listening and movement. Access to the internet also makes it possible to introduce the children to so many
other musical experiences, for example a symphony orchestra or the biggest recorder in the world.
Both the kids and the teacher enjoy this journey of learning in the world of music.

Head of Academic Support
Mrs C Rutherfoord 

The Academic Support Department focuses on creating an engaging learning environment which fosters academic success. It aims to equip each child with academic tools and self-belief to help overcome their barriers to learning.
Academic Support is offered to learners from Grade RRR through to Grade Seven. Remediation focuses on the individual needs of the child. Teachers, families and community specialists work together in their pursuit to help the child. The services of a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Academic Facilitators and a NILD Instructor are available, utilizing the learning friendly venues in our Academic Support Centre.

Art

Our new ‘state of the art’ light and spacious art room provides the ideal space for the children to explore and enhance their creativity. The aim of Art at a Prep school is to unlock each child’s unique talents and to expose them to different techniques and materials, and to equip them to express themselves in an independent, ‘out the box’, creative fashion.
The children are exposed to various art techniques, helping them appreciate different art forms and to be inspired in their own work. The children are encouraged to practice their observation skills as well as put their hand to some abstract work. Art is an extremely important subject to be taught to our children in the 21st century, as it develops fine-motor skills and creative thinkers.

Music

Children throughout the school have class music lessons once a week where they are exposed to singing, music theory and various instruments. Lessons for various individual instruments are offered, privately, at the school in the afternoons.
Drama
Making our children more culture active!
Cultural pursuits such as music and drama provide intellectual depth and important life skills. Apart from fostering an appreciation of the arts, drama builds self-confidence, teaches learners how to communicate effectively and think quickly, laterally and analytically. As teachers, we take pride in drawing out young people’s dreams and passions. Drama can be used in every subject across the spectrum to enhance lessons, and create a dynamic, exciting and vibrant classroom.
All children in the Grade Four to Seven classes participate in an Expressive Arts Festival and drama production on rotation every alternate year. These events require commitment and discipline from the children and provide an opportunity for them to develop, not only their performance skills, but also their personal and social skills.
This year we are doing a play production: Aladdin

Outreach

While “Fostering self growth in the formative years”, New Hanover Prep strives to foster a sense of empathy for others. In so doing, children are involved in various outreach programmes in nearby schools and other areas of the community.
Being a part of the Outreach Club at New Hanover Prep, involves caring, compassion and acceptance of others. The children are taught to take others’ needs into account and to ‘Reach Out’ to others. When we can encourage kids to be involved in something as valuable as outreach, it builds their self-esteem. Learning to empathise with another person means learning to ‘walk in their shoes.’ It means being able to recognise and value their feelings and needs, even though they may be different from your own.