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Last updated: 05-Feb-2013
 
About the College  
   
Austin Clarke
Austin Clarke - B.Comm. H.Dip.Ed.
Headmaster
Former Business Manager at Uplands and at Mananga College in Swaziland. Accounting teacher and software developer. Married to Elsa. Four children who all matriculated at Uplands. Interests: computers, developing software, DIY & squash.
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Riana Adams
Riana Adams - B.Sc.
Maths Literacy teacher
Married with three sons, Cameron (UCT), Jonathan and Jared. Other School Activities: Moms-in-touch Prayer Group. Sports: Cycling, Hiking, Swimming. Interests: Music, Reading, Indigenous gardening.
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Jocelyn Brown
Jocelyn Brown - B.Sc. Hons (Rhodes), PGCE (Cambridge University, UK)
HOD Humanities & Geography teacher
From the Eastern Cape. Lived in the UK for the past 12 years. Taught at Bishop’s Stortford High School, King Fahad Academy and Whitgift School (Head of Geography) in the UK. Interests: world travel, tennis, cycling, swimming, hiking and the great outdoors!
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Anneke Coetzer
Anneke Coetzer - B.Mus. (Ed), B.Mus. (Hons)
Head of Culture

Music teacher - Piano and Violin, Arts and Culture, Orchestra, Major Production. Born in Mafikeng, grew up in Vereeniging. Taught at St Stithian’s College before teaching at Ashford High (UK), British School Al Khubairat (UAE) and New Cairo British International School (Egypt).
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Nicole Holshausen Nicole Combrink - B.Prim.Ed., B.Ed., M.Ed. (Rhodes)
English & History teacher
Drama, Debating and House Plays. Four years at primary school level; Parktown High School for Girls. Interests: theatre, film, reading & cooking.
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Larisa de Kock
Larisa de Kock - B.A. PGCE (FET)
Mathematics & Physical Science teacher
Married. Three children. Taught at Barberton High School for five years. Interests: travel, golf and reading.
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Johanna Cerisier
Johanna Cerisier - HDE (Physical Science)
HOD Sciences
Physical Science & Maths teacher; Head of College Boarding House; provides academic extension; Science Outreach. Taught at Suncrest High School, Kings Norton Boys’ School in Birmingham UK. Single.
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Jane Scannell Jane Curtiss - B.A., HDE (University of Natal)
HOD English & Geography teacher; Gr 12 Coordinator; Girls’ Hockey Co-ordinator & Coach; Girls’ Soccer Coach, Boarding Mistress – Bishop Boarding House
Girls’ Hockey Coordinator & Coach; Head of Boarding: Bishop Co-Ed. Witbank High School. Daughter, Jessica. Interests: hockey, road running & horse riding.
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Bridget Gibson
Bridget Gibson - B.Soc.Sc., HDE
HOD Life Orientation & School Counsellor
Teacher Training and Career Information Centre in SA, Swaziland and Mozambique. Husband Peter, daughter Caitlin, son Jonathan. Interests: birding, travelling, hiking, outdoors and golf.
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Charles Keegan

Charles Keegan -
Dramatic Arts and English teacher with Theatre and Performance (Hons) PGCE (Cum Laude)

From Cape Town, graduated from UCT in 2008. Spent the last three years working as an actor. Performed and toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performed supporting and lead roles in numerous TV series, movies and plays and a keen interest in the Performing Arts. Rugby and athletics coach. An older brother and sister. Arrived in White River with my beloved dog, Bella.

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Herman Kruger

Herman Kruger - B.Comm; HDE (Post Grad) - (University of Potchefstroom); QTS (London - UK)
Business Studies teacher; Rugby coach and Wall climbing instructor; Boarding assistant in Bishop Boys Hostel
Married to Karlien. Have a 2-year-old son, Harmon. Qualified to teach Economics, Accountancy and Psychology. Coach rugby, cricket and outdoor activities. Previously taught at King’s College School (Wimbledon, UK); Head of Department at Saint Andrew’s International High School (Blantyre, Malawi) and recently at Wonderboom Hoërskool in Pretoria. Interests: World travel, rugby, camping and reading autobiographies.

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Viktor Kurz
Viktor Kurz -B.A., HDE, B.Ed
Deputy Headmaster: Academics
Married to Leanne Kurz with two children, Romy (in the College) and Jurgen, at Rhodes University. Taught in the Eastern Cape. Swaziland and Michaelhouse. In charge of Academics, Staff and Curriculum Development as well as the Intern Programme. Border Master at College House. Tennis coach and MIC of Toastmasters. Interests: running, gardening, and enjoying a good glass of red wine with (or without) a good book! Family and faith are important to me.
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Grethe Maleta
Grethe Maleta - B.A. Sport Science (Stellenbosch), PGCE (UNISA)
Life Orientation and Afrikaans Teacher; Swimming, Netball and Hockey Coach

Swimming, netball and hockey coach. Started teaching at Uplands in 2010. Worked at MPowerFm (News Editor and Presenter), Uplands College Head Girl 2001. In a relationship, (former pupil, Jonathan Robinson), three dogs and a ginger cat. Interests: travelling, photography, Scuba and free-diving, sewing, holistic healing.
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Photo pending Frances Meyer -
Mathematics part-time teacher.
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Ivy Mpangane
Ivy Mpangane - B.A. (UNISA), B.Ed. (UNISA), Dip. Guidance & Counseling, STD, Certificate Human Resource Management (UNISA)
Zulu teacher; Outreach Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator. Thirteen years at Masitakhe High. Husband Douglas; daughter Noxolo; sons Thapelo & Sihle. Interests: travel, reading, sports & outdoor activities.
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Sindi Nkosi
Sindi Edith Nkosi - B.Paed.
Zulu teacher at Prep & College

Twelve years’ teaching English and Zulu at Government schools in Pretoria/Tswane and Mpumalanga, Husband Sinky, son Muzi and daughter Nonjabulo. Interests: reading, travelling and interior decorating.
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Kathy Nottingham

Katy Nottingham - BSc (hons) in Chemistry, PGCE
Natural Science, Life Science and Physical Science Teacher; Netball and Swimming Coach, Boarding Mistress – Bishop Co-Ed hostel

Born in South Africa, but grew up in Bahrain, Oman and Abu Dhabi. Returned home to attend Rhodes University and complete Honours Degree in anti-malarial drug research. Interests: Travelling, Golf and most other sports!

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Jan Albert Pienaar
Jan Albert Pienaar
HOD Mathematics. Maths; Head of Founders Boarding House; Head of Tennis & Tennis coach
Maths teacher, Head of Founders Boarding House; Head of tennis & tennis coach. Taught at Welkom Gymnasium, two years in London and six years at Grey College (Bloemfontein). Wife: Riana. Children: Jan-Albert, Marié and Lillian. Interests: travelling, camping, sport, world news.
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Eddie Prideaux-Brune
Eddie Prideaux-Brune - B.A. Economics & International Relations & PGCE
Geography and HSS Teacher; Rugby, Cricket, Hockey and Soccer Coach

Rugby, cricket and hockey coach. Practical teaching at St David’s Marist Brothers and Bryanston High School. Sports Intern at Pridwin Prep for three years. Hobbies: playing and watching anything sports orientated and reading.
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Erik Prinsloo
Erik Prinsloo - HED
Head of Afrikaans, Afrikaans teacher Gr 10 – 12; Rugby, Master in charge Cricket, Athletics & Tennis coaching; Matric entries; ATKV Afrikaans Olimpiade, Gr 9 Coordinator
Rugby, MIC of Cricket; Matric entries; ATKV Afrikaans Olympiad. Taught at Hoërskool Sybrand van Niekerk, Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies), Mount Edmund Christian Brothers College, Pretoria. Wife, Louise. Children, Tanya & Elouné. Interests: sport, reading & wildlife.
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Heidi Cordeiro Heidi Rea - B.Sc., HDE
Deputy Co-Curricular; Teacher in charge of Netball & Netball Coach; Gr 12 Coordinator
Maths teacher. netball coach and outdoor pursuits.Four children. Married to Greg. Interests: golf, horse riding and cycling.
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Neil Rautenbach

Neil Rautenbach -
Received a B.Ed degree at the North West University, Potchefstroom campus, majoring in English and Biology. He has seven years of experience in secondary education. His career took him to England where he added to his portfolio as a secondary school teacher and sport coach. Neil has experience in mainstream as well as Special Educational Needs schools. He has a varied academic portfolio including physical science, biology, natural science and technology, as well as a sports coaching portfolio including rugby and cricket. Neil believes in the holistic approach to a child’s education, thus promoting both academic and sporting excellence to his students.

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Jennifer Schaum - BFA (honours) Rhodes, HDE (Unisa)
Visual Art teacher Gr 8 – 12
Member of the Enviro Club; Art Eisteddfod. Unicorn Prep, St Barnabas College and Lowveld High. Interests – art therapy, archaeology, photography, outdoor activities and illustrating books.
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Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith - B.Acc. (Massey University, NZ), Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Wits Business School), PGCE (Wits)
EMS, Business Studies & Maths Literacy teacher.
Rugby, cricket, soccer & athletics coach. Boarder Master in Founders House. Internship at St David’s Marist, Inanda. Single. Interests: Watching and playing sport, travelling, reading.
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Celeste Smith
Celeste Smith - (HDE – Mathematics and Biology) (QTS – London UK)
Mathematics & Life Sciences teacher. Married to Kevin with two children, Nathan and Caitlin both at Uplands Prep. Taught in Kwazulu Natal, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Was a Mathematics Teacher Advisor in the United Arab Emirates. Hockey coach. Interests: outdoors, reading, cooking and sewing.
   
Leesa Steyn
Leesa Steyn - BA (UNISA) Higher Diploma in Education (UNP)
English teacher, hockey coach

Hockey coach. Taught at Lowveld High School for 10 years. English teacher; hockey coach. Married. Son Christopher, daughter Kathryn. Interests: cycling, golf, reading.
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Reuben Trotter
Reuben Trotter - BA Music; Adv. Dip (Choral Conducting); HDE (PS. Music); Dip. Ed. Music; LTCL; QTS (Manchester, UK)
Music Teacher (Arts and Culture, Voice, Piano and Choir)

Originally from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, taught in primary and secondary schools in the Eastern Cape before relocating to the UK in 2001. Worked in a number of middle and high schools (state and independent) until September 2011. Also worked in Muscat, Oman after leaving the UK. Hobbies include: travelling, reading, socialising and visiting interesting places.
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Shaun van der Merwe

Shaun van der Merwe -
HSS, Geography & Technology teacher

Christian Fellowship and Chapel Band. Hockey, athletics and soccer coach. Grade 8 Coordinator.

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Sharon van Reenen
Sharon van Reenen - HDE
Head of College House; English teacher; Sports coach
Senior English teacher; founding member of the Uplands Enviro and Running clubs.  Hockey coach; Student – currently completing Honours degree.  Traveller; bird watcher, lover of wildlife, runner and reader.  Husband, Michael; daughter, Rachael & son, Vaughn.
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Pieter van Zyl
Pieter van Zyl - BEd (UP)
English teacher, rugby coach
Rugby coach. Taught in the UK for 6 years. English teacher; hockey coach. Married. Interests: cycling, hiking, reading and hunting.
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Yulandi van Zyl
Yulandi van Zyl - B. Ed FET (General) – SA, University of Pretoria, Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills – UK, Institute for Learning, 2009
CAT , Computer Literacy and Afrikaans teacher,  U14 Netball coach,  Community Service  member
Married to Pieter van Zyl.  Had a 6 year adventure in England before joining Uplands College in January 2012.  Taught Information & Communication Technology at Regent’s Vocational College in London (2005 – 2011).  Chosen as Functional Skills Lead Practitioner (2008 – 2011). Interests: Travelling, Photography, Scuba-diving, Hiking, Renaissance art.
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Zanne Viljoen
Zanne Viljoen – B.A. (Hons), M.Phil. (Second Language Acquisition, Cum Laude), HDE
Head of Faculty: First Additional Languages; French teacher; Librarian; Editor of School Magazine (The Uplander); Compiler of Diary
French and English teacher; Librarian; Editor of School Magazine (The Uplander); Compiler of Uplands Diary.
Member of Golden Key (Stellenbosch Chapter). Accredited examiner of the international oral and written DELF DALF exams for levels A1, A2, B1 and B2. Kingfisher School (Phalaborwa); Frans du Toit (Phalaborwa); Hoxane Training College (Hazyview). Husband, Petri. Two daughters: Carina, Software Developer and Shanine, LLB (Rhodes). Interests: wildlife, reading & art movies.
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Kiara Visser
Kiara Visser - B.Ed. (FET) & Psychology III, & B.Ed (Hons) Remedial & Inclusive Education
Life Orientation, Natural Science teacher
Learning Support & Counsellor; CANSA Debs coordinator.Willowridge High School. Internships at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool & Pretoria Girls’ High. Husband, Oane. Interests: reading, dancing, outdoor activities, watching movies.
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Oane Visser
Oane Visser - B.Ed. (FET); Specialisation Botany, Zoology, Design & Technology & B.Ed. (HONS) Educational Management
Technology, Engineering & Graphic Design
Rugby and Athletics coach. Teacher in Charge of Mentors.Willowridge High School. Wife, Kiara. Interests: rugby, gym, outdoors, extreme sports.
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Brenda Waller
Brenda Waller - B.Ed., B.Ed. Hons (History Education)
English, History & HSS teacher
Masters focused on the acquisition of Historical Literacy in learners through the University of KZN. Hockey coach; Teacher in charge of Mentors. Danville Park Girls’ High School (Durban North) and Stanford Lake College (Haenertsburg). Married to Bruce. Interests: hockey, tennis, reading and cooking.
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Gareth Weinrich - final year B.ED (UNISA)
Sports Coordinator, House Master in Bishops Co-Ed, HSS teacher, jack of all trades in coaching

House Master in Bishop Co-Ed, HSS teacher, jack of all trades in coaching. Previously Sports Co-ordinator at Uplands Prep. Taught at Rivonia and Montrose Primary as well as internships at Grayston Prep, St David’s Marist Brothers and Redhill. Hobbies include playing rugby, hockey, cricket and golf. Reading of autobiographies. Sport Fantasy Leagues. Married. Two children: a boy, Rhys, and a baby daughter, Morgan.
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Norwell Zhakata
Norwell Zhakata - B.Com., Dip.ED (UZ), Dip In Comp. Studies
IT, CAT teacher
Taught Cambridge Computing Advanced Level for five years in Zimbabwe. Taught IEB Information Technology & CAT at Ridgeway College (Louis Trichardt) for two years before coming to Uplands. Married to Moleen. Daughter Claire and son Tinodaishe, born 2009. Has a passion for computer programming, tennis and walking.
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Uplands College, Private Bag X9909, White River 1240, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)13 751 3141 | Fax: +27 (0)13 751 3850 | Email: college@uplandscollege.org