Senior Primary

Head of Senior Phase &

Grade 7 Teacher
Mrs M Uhlmann

I am Marieta Uhlmann. With a wealth of experience in teaching across the Foundation, Intermediate, Senior, and FET Phases, I have a deep understanding of the educational journey. Previously, I served as a Head of Department (HOD) in the Foundation Phase in the Eastern Cape and currently holds the HOD position for the Intermediate and Senior phases. Specialising in Afrikaans, English, Class Music, and Geography during my studies, I bring a diverse skill set to the classroom. Currently, I teach Afrikaans First Additional Language for Grades 2 to 7, Scripture for Grades 4 and 5, and Visual Art for Grades 5, 6, and 7.
My philosophy of education centres on the belief that every child is unique, with distinct abilities, talents, and learning styles. I am committed to providing a stimulating educational environment where students can grow and learn to their fullest potential. Believing strongly in learning through play, I incorporate hands-on experiences, games, music, visual aids, and technological resources to cater to all learning styles. For me, the classroom is a safe space where learners can develop not only academically, but also spiritually, personally, and mentally. Passionate about teaching, I see this profession as a calling from God, working with His precious jewels to help them shine.

Grade 6 Teacher
Ms A Appelt

I began my Science and Mathematics teaching career, in the United Kingdom, 14 years ago. Prior to this, I earned a Masters in Science and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. I believe that all children are unique and deserve to be treated as individuals. I am passionate about positive education and dedicated to helping children achieve their full potential. I am a lifelong learner and continually seek to expand my knowledge and skills to better my teaching.

Grade 5 Teacher
Mr C Thompson

My name is Charles Thompson, I am married with three children and hold a BA in Education with a focus on Human Movement Science from the University of Port Elizabeth. With over 30 years of teaching experience in South Africa, Swaziland, and the United Kingdom, I have taught grades four through twelve across a variety of subjects. Additionally, I spent five years specializing in Special Needs education, particularly with children who have High-Functioning Autism and comorbid disorders. As an avid sportsman, I have played and coached numerous sports, with a personal passion for rugby, and have managed sports programs at both school and provincial levels. I am passionate about the outdoors and enjoy teaching students about the natural world, marveling at the beauty of God’s creation and its intricate, interconnected system.

Grade 4 Teacher
Miss T Morkel

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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 4 to Grade 7, 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.
We encourage to read aloud, tell a story using the language as well as creative writing, stories or letters to improve grammar, punctuation and spelling.
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 have computers, coding, and robotics from Grade 4-7, 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 Senior Primary phase of New Hanover Preparatory School I teach Class Music/Choir to Grades 4, aswell as Recorder to the Gr 4’s, and German First Additional Language and Second Additional Language
to Gr 4’s to 7’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 and in the Senior primary phase also on German grammar, literature and culture. The
English/Zulu speaking kids expand their knowledge of German as a second additional language with more
vocabulary and the spelling rules that go with the vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure rules and
more listening and speaking. The Gr 5’s, 6’s and 7’s are also formally assessed in their ability to speak and
understand the language, and their application of the sentence structure and grammar rules.
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 which I teach mainly in the PrePrimary and
Foundation phase, but also to the Gr 4’s in the Senior Primary phase. Not only is Music fun and allows for
creativity, but it also brings benefits 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, and 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. Recorder
lessons form a part of their Class Music curriculum from Gr 2 to Gr 4. 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 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 Master &
History Teacher
Mr J Love

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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.