Meet Our HBM Staff

MAT TYRRELL

General Manager ​​
Mat welcomed his daughter into his life while studing a full time MBA at UCT in 2014. While he was at UCT he had the opportunity to meet with Harris Gordon the Treasurer for Association Montessori International. Who introduced Mat to the Montessori pedagogy and in turn his daughter. Rowan, who is currently in her 2nd year of Montessori schooling. Spending time with his wife and daughter is important to Mat and he can also be found supporting Villagers rugby club on the occasional Saturday.

LILY LUKIC

School Administrator
Lily Lukic joined the Hout Bay Montessori team in June 2017. She came to South Africa for a visit in 1998 and fell in love with Cape Town and decided to stay. Lily brought her family from Croatia shortly after and continued her career in the travel industry. Besides dealing with people in general, her greatest love has always been being surrounded by children. So after more than 30 years, Lily left the travel industry and started a new career that brings so much joy into her life! “Watching these little people growing up is like having my own child over and over again… The highlight of my day is when the nursery class comes to my office in the morning to say Good morning Lily! That’s how I start my every day, with smiley faces! What else do I need?”

ABIGAIL LANDMAN

Head of Primary 
Abi stepped into the role of Head of the Primary School at the beginning of 2019. Working with children, specifically in the field of education, is Abi’s vocation in life. Over the past years Abi has had experience in both pre-school (3-6) and primary (6-12) Montessori classroom environments, as well as lecturing Montessori education at a teacher’s training centre.
Abi has a BA qualification in English and Psychology, a 3-year-diploma in Montessori education, AMI training as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She considers herself a lifelong learner and therefore will always continue to further her knowledge on Montessori and education in general.
Abi is eager to step into her position at Hout Bay Montessori with much energy and zest. Alongside Abi is her 3-year-old daughter, Ava, who has joined the Dolphin class this year. Ava is becoming an older sister to two brother’s in February 2019... much excitement and anticipation lies ahead of the family.

JUSTINE NORMAN

Head of Preschool and Preschool Directress
Justine has a love for children and discovered this whilst aupairing nine years ago, she continues to aupair. She shows her love for children by working closely with a local emergency foster home. Justine started studying at Headstart Mercy Montessori Training college in 2011 and finished in 2013. Justine is both the Head of Preschool and the Directress in the Dolphin class.

RESHMA MAHARAJ

Senior Primary Directress
Montessori has been an interesting journey for Reshma since 2008. Helping her raise her very different and unique teenagers. Having worked in the banking industry with a commerce background, coming to the Western Cape 14 years ago drew her interest in early childhood development. She trained with E.L.F teacher training in 2008 followed by Mercy Montessori teacher training in 2012. She has been attending workshops to best equip her in providing support and assistance with barriers to learning and help children overcome many challenges. Joining Hout Bay Montessori has been a wonderful experience. She is the Senior Primary Directress, teaching mathematics, a subject of passion. Her goal is to make mathematics a fun and creative subject. As Maria Montessori once said, "to create world peace lets start by educating the child."

BRENDA SNYMAN

Senior Primary Directress
Brenda has a BEd primary teaching degree and also completed a Montessori primary specialization course. She has always been passionate about children and their education. Not only their cognitive development but also their social, emotional, and normative growth. She has an empathetic, compassionate, and respectful approach to teaching. She is continually seeking out more opportunities to expand her knowledge and grow her skillsets in teaching and facilitating children. The Montessori philosophy guides her, not only as a directress but also as a mother. She uses what she learns to support children on their individual journeys, exposing them to the possibilities and leading them towards their full potential. She believes in the greatness of each and every child. Brenda joined Hout Bay Montessori in 2017 and is clearly passionate and dedicated to her Senior Primary class.

JULIE DUNKERLEY

Junior Primary Directress
Having been born in England, completing all her schooling, She faced her first job working in an office. After completing many courses and management diplomas, this career spanned 35 years working for various companies. Having always had a desire and passion to teach young minds, she decided to follow this passion and change careers. In 2015, She started her 3-year Montessori diploma with Headstart Mercy Montessori training college. She picked this form of education because she loves the Montessori philosophy, which allows the children the freedom to discover their true self through various forms of activities. She finds it is amazing to watch each child grow and is personally very rewarding.

​JENNA SCOTT

Junior Primary Assistant
Jenna completed her Montessori Diploma through The Montessori Campus in 2014 and was the top student in her class. She has loved spending time with children since as far back as she can remember. She is passionate about the Montessori philosophy and the approach it takes in allowing the child to become the truest version of their best selves.  Having grown up as a child who loved collecting bugs and climbing tree’s, Jenna is especially excited to be in charge of the Cultural Department where she gets to show the children all the wonderful things in the world that so excited her when she was young.

KAYLIN GRAHAM

Junior Primary Directress

KIRSTEN GELDERBLOM​

Preschool Directress
Kirsten has a passion for children and is very excited to be joining the Periwinkles class in 2019. She has aupaired for families with young children over the past four years and learnt a lot from the experience. Kirsten has a bachelor’s degree in psychology which she completed from the University of Cape Town in 2014, she has now done her Montessori teacher’s training through Montessori Centre South Africa, completing it in 2017. Kirsten enjoys the outdoors and spends her free time exploring the beautiful city we live in, whether it be hiking mountains or at the beach.​

​LUNGISWA MGWABA

Preschool Assistant

TINA SCHREINER

Preschool Assistant
Born and raised in Germany, Tina immigrated to South Africa in 2009. 
In the back of her mind, Tina always knew that she wanted to be a teacher but first worked as a Team manager in the corporate world for several years. When her wonderful daughter Lucy was born, Tina stumbled upon Maria Montessori´s philosophy and instantly knew that she had found her calling.
Tina is currently completing her qualification through MCSA and is now joining the Dolphin class to put all that has been learned into practice. She feels that children must be given the opportunity to develop naturally, following their inner urges and making their own choices and she is delighted to be able to guide children through this process.

PHINDIWE ZONDANI

Nursery Directress
Phindiwe Zondani has been working with children for the past 10 years, and come across the Montessori method 3 years ago and instantly fell in love with the philosophy.  For the past two years, she been working in the nursery environment as a assistant, whilst furthering her studies and gain level 5 Montessori qualification. She feels the nursery provides a solid foundation for children, and should never underestimate a child’s ability- something she learns daily in nursery.

NOLUNDI NTWASA

Nursery Assistant
Kirsten has a passion for children and is very excited to be joining the Dolphins class in 2018. She has aupaired for families with young children over the past four years and learnt a lot from the experience. Kirsten has a bachelor’s degree in psychology which she completed from the University of Cape Town in 2014, she has now done her Montessori teacher’s training through Montessori Centre South Africa, completing it in 2017. Kirsten enjoys the outdoors and spends her free time exploring the beautiful city we live in, whether it be hiking mountains or at the beach.

MIMI MANGQASE

Nursery Assistant
Evelynne Mimi  is the assistant in the Seahorse class, although her Montessori journey has just began, she is blown away  by the Montessori Method. Mimi has been working with children for the past 4 years, but has been amazed by the Montessori philosophy and the impact it has on the children. Mimi has done the Childminders Enrichment course at the Hout Bay Montessori, and  is currently studying for a Higher Certificate with MCSA. She enjoys being around the children in nursery, she learns a lot from them.

WISEMAN

Maintenance and Security
Wiseman arguably has one of the biggest hearts at our school. He helps to maintain our grounds and gardens and also assists with classroom or teacher projects whenever he is needed. From making wooden dice to installing gears in the senior primary yard for technology project purposes, Wiseman always has a plan to support any of the teachers' or children's' endeavors. He also never hesitates to include curious children in his work. Patiently showing them what he does and explaining why and how. Wiseman joined us in 2018 and he is a wonderful addition to our team.

LENNOX MAKELENI

Maintenance and Security
Lennox has been part of Houtbay Montessori since 2000. In that time, he has seen the school grow and expand enormously, always offering his assistance where needed. We wouldn't be the same without his friendly greetings every morning, he is the first staff member you see as you arrive and usually also the last as you depart. Always with a smile, directing everyone safely to where they need to be. Lennox has a huge hand in maintaining our beautiful property, both in our gardens and with our buildings. The children naturally gravitate to him, and he always makes time to include them and talk to them. He is an integral part of our community and is highly valued.