Dear Eden Village Pupils, Parents and Guardians,

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I am honoured to have been appointed as the new Principal of Eden Village Preparatory School, commencing January 2024. Having recently relocated with my family from Cape Town to Ballito, I am excited to start this new chapter in my career, and I am looking forward to working with the staff, pupils, and parents of Eden Village Prep to lead a school well known for its smaller class sizes that enable our teaching staff to work closely with each child. Following several planning and strategy meetings with Mrs Russell and Mr Keeton, I am committing myself to the following mandate:

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To ensure that Eden Village Prep pupils graduate as happy, confident, and capable individuals who can step into a high school of their choice, well-prepared and enthusiastic for the next phase of their educational journey.

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For the past 16-years I have been fortunate to teach both locally and internationally across various age groups. Most recently I was the Principal of the UK Online School: Purple Ruler, and before that, the Deputy Head of Forres Preparatory School in Cape Town. From early on as a teacher, I have focussed on providing pupils with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in the real world. I believe that I have a genuine understanding of the academic and social needs of pupils, and I am passionate about leading a school that provides a safe and supportive learning environment for pupils that fosters growth and development.

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Continual research and learning form a critical aspect of my personal development, specifically for the benefit of those I am given the opportunity to lead and educate. I have completed extensive training in developing reading and language skills for effective learning, and during my previous role as Deputy Head at Forres, I led the implementation of Thinking School South Africa's Whole Brain Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning and Thinking Maps programmes. I am delighted that Eden Village Prep is pursuing a ‘Thriving School’ mandate, where the concepts of Learner Agency, Independent Learning, Intrinsic Motivation and Mastery will underpin the school curriculum. As a certified Apple Teacher, I am qualified to implement technology enhancements in the areas of teaching, learning and educational administration and communication.

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In addition to my academic experience, I am a strong believer in the value that sport and culture play in the life of a pupil, both in developing new skills and as a healthy outlet after a busy day in the classroom. I have a proven track record of success in developing and managing high-performing teams. In my role as U13A Girls Hockey Zonal/Provincial Team Manager and Selector, I motivated and led the team to victory in both 2013 and 2014. I have also successfully captained and played for the City of London Freemen’s School Ladies' 1st Hockey Team and the CPUT South African University Tournament team. In the last two years, I have developed a love for running, completing 3 marathons. I believe that sports and culture play an essential role in students' holistic development, and I am committed to providing all students with opportunities to participate in sporting activities. I am excited about working with the Governing Body and our Sport Coaching Team to develop a highly competitive ‘Action Sports’ programme at Eden Village Prep.

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I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all pupils. I have extensive training in cyberbullying prevention and POPIA compliance, and I am familiar with the Narrative Approach to education, which focuses on helping students develop their own stories and make sense of their experiences. I believe that all students deserve to feel safe and respected at school, and I will work tirelessly to create a culture of respect, kindness, and compassion.

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I look forward to meeting all of the pupils, parents and guardians at the start of 2024, and I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you. I believe that together we can create a school where our children thrive personally and academically in a supportive, nurturing, collaborative, and secure environment.

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