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. He introduced Mat to the Montessori philosophy and his daughter, Rowan, is currently in her 2nd year of Montessori schooling. Spending time with his wife and daughter is
important to him 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 learning. She is very gentle and calm and treats children with respect and kindness. She takes her role as a positive role-model very seriously. She has spent most of her adult life researching and learning how best to guide young minds and how to foster intrinsic motivation and natural curiousity. Montessori principles guide her, not only as a directress, but also as a mother. Brenda is still fairly new at Hout Bay Montessori but she is very dedicated to her Senior Primary class and loves working and gaining knowledge alongside them.

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.

ARLENE SOLOMONS

Junior Primary Directress

Arlene worked in the Corporate Industry in various positions for 15 years. After which she decided to follow her dream of teaching. After some investigation, she came across the Montessori philosophy, after observing this method in practice she instantly knew that is where she belonged. She studied at Headstart Mercy Montessori Traning Centre. She is also a mother to 2 wonderful children, her son is 10 years old and her daughter is 6 years old. Her goal is to help each child reach their full potential.
 

MISTY MACLACHLAN

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.

MISTY MACLACHLAN

Junior Primary Assistant

Misty started teaching at Hout Bay Montessori in 2016, making her a bit of a newbie at this well-established school, but not when it comes to nurturing children. A mother of 2 (mostly) delightful and different children aged 7 and 9, her parenting skills are challenged on a daily basis. This makes guiding a group of 6-9 year olds a breeze. Her specialities are Art, Peace and Advanced Practical Life. On a spiritual level her focus is on developing a deep respect for the Earth and its inhabitants and she is so grateful for being able to witness the kindness and love that is exhibited by these bright young beings on a daily basis!

​MONIQUE WILSON

Preschool Directress

Simone fell in love with the Montessori Philosophy. After observing in a Montessori environment she studied at Headstart Mercy Montessori Training College. She was an assistant at Hout Bay Montessori for 3 years. She decided she wanted to travel and worked as an au pair in the United States for a year. Living overseas has definitely made her love and appreciate where she came from. She now runs the Turtle class as the Directress. She feels it is vital to encourage independence, kindness and help build each child’s self-esteem.

LUNGISWA MGWABA

Preschool Assistant

Lungi is the assistant in the Periwinkle Classroom. She has six years experience in the Montessori environment as both a toddler and preschool assistant. She is also a mother of two. Lungi is currently doing her teaching practical in the 3-6 year environment.

NOLUNDI NTWASA

Preschool Assistant

Lundi is the assistant in the Turtle class and has two beautiful children, one of which goes to HBM. She has always worked with children, first as a nanny,
and then she discovered the Montessori method through a parent at HMB. She started working in the Nursery classroom and loved nurturing the young children. She is currently furthering her studies to gain her level 5 Montessori qualification.

KIRSTEN GELDERBLOM​

Preschool 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.

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.

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 is always the last man to leave the school.........

LENNOX MAKELENI

Maintenance and Security

Lennox is the first staff member you see in the morning - always smiling, he greets us at the gate during his gate duty. He maintains our beautiful property, both the garden and the buildings. The children naturally gravitate towards him, and he always takes the time to chat to them and explain what he is up to! Lennox has been with us since 2000.