Pre Primary

Head of Pre Primary

Janet Bailey
I am the Head of Department in the Pre-Primary phase, and teaching young children is truly my passion. My responsibilities include teaching Grade R learners and preparing them for the transition to formal schooling, overseeing curriculum matters, and managing the maintenance of our buildings and gardens. I also lead projects aimed at improving our facilities and enhancing the well-being of both staff and learners. I find great fulfilment in being a team leader, and I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with a dedicated and passionate staff. Keeping up to date with new ideas and implementing them in the classroom is something that excites and inspires me. I strongly believe that as the world evolves, so too must our approach to teaching and learning. Above all, I believe that the emotional well-being of every child is of the utmost importance. Children need to feel safe, secure, and loved in order to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Grade RR Teacher
Mrs H Peckham

Grade RRR Teacher
Mrs Tammi Holhs 

Grade RRR Assistant
Miss M Bartels

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.

Head of Sport
Mr R Robbertze

My name is Ryan Robbertze, a family man with a passion for sport and sport within the school environment, and the greater community. Over the years I have achieved success in all aspects of the sports world, and thoroughly enjoy looking to bring that experience into my work. I have served as a selector and convener for both boys’ and girls’ sports across various codes, both regional and provincial. I thoroughly enjoy running, and have done a number of both road and trail running events.At New Hanover Pre-Primary, our introduction to sport for children aged 3-6 is designed to foster a love for movement while supporting essential developmental milestones. Our program emphasizes fundamental physical skills and creates an early platform for children to showcase and refine their abilities with the help of the staff and Prep school interns we push for great progress.

We focus on the basic physical skills crucial for young children’s growth:
– Balance and Coordination: Activities that promote stability and fluid movement.
– Muscle Strength: Exercises that enhance both fine and gross motor skills.
– Agility: Games and tasks that improve speed and flexibility.

Our sports program also nurtures cognitive and emotional development:
– Critical Thinking: Strategic games that require planning and problem-solving.
– Independence and Self-Discipline: Encouraging children to take initiative and follow structured routines.
– Social Skills: Team sports and group activities that foster cooperation and communication.

Through diverse and engaging activities, we aim to instill a lifelong passion for physical activity. Our sports program is fun-filled and varied, ensuring that every child finds joy in movement. This enthusiasm lays the groundwork for a healthy, active lifestyle.

Our structured yet playful approach provides ample opportunities for children to display and develop their talents early on. By recognizing and nurturing these skills, we help each child build confidence and self-esteem. by making use of on-campus private coaching.
We offer on-campus private coaching available for all ages at New Hanover Pre-Primary. Our specialized coaching options include:
– Tennis
– Hockey
– Dance
– Playball
– Swimming

These private coaching sessions provide personalized instruction, helping children to further develop their skills and passion in specific sports.

At New Hanover Pre-Primary, we are committed to providing a supportive and stimulating environment where children can thrive physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Our sports program, complemented by on-campus private coaching, ensures that every child has the chance to develop a love for movement, achieve key developmental milestones, and explore their potential in various sports.

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 privilege 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, and especially the Music Appreciation lessons that I do with the Gr RRR’s up to Gr R’s in New Hanover PrePrimary.

During these weekly half hour sessions with the Pre-Primary phase the children get exposed to music from various genres, including the old Masters. Through movement and short “work songs” they get introduced to the basics of music literacy, that is, note values, rhythm and beat, pitch as in high and low and the first intervals between notes using the Solfege (Do, Re, Mi, etc). Visually this is presented with simple pictures and accompanied by stories. The children play very simple rhythms and accompaniments on the percussion instruments. We also sing, move or dance to familiar children’s songs. All of this gets enhanced by a short trip into our “movie theatre”, where short video clips are used to introduce topics, demonstrate various instruments, including our voices, instruments of orchestra, songs, and the various components of music. It always amazes me how much these very young children are already able to learn and apply in music.

I am very enthusiastic about Music as a subject 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, and at New Hanover PrePrimary the children already start being exposed to all these benefits from Gr RRR onwards. How cool is that!