Lynedoch Community School

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Creating brighter futures for the children of Lynedoch Valley

We believe that every child in the Lynedoch Valley has the right to receive the best possible education that will help them realise their full potential. Acknowledging that each child is unique and learns differently, we strive to leave no child behind and support each child where they are at.

We support children from Lynedoch Valley with full scholarships to access high quality education best suited to their needs. They receive daily meals, transport, socio-emotional support and can participate in creative arts and sport. Parents and guardians are also supported through workshops and community support.

The learners attend our own beautiful small Montessori primary school that we started in January 2020. Here, we extend our Montessori learning to provide children aged 6 – 12 with the opportunity to flourish through a diversity of learning experiences. By offering a variety of learning opportunities, understanding learner needs and having prepared teachers, we hope to help shape confident, self-aware and equipped young individuals that can actively participate in the community and society.

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In order to make an offline donation we ask that you please follow the instructions below to complete the process:

  1. Pay your donation into the SI bank account using the following details:

Name of Account: The Sustainability Institute Trust
Bank: Nedbank
Branch: Stellenbosch
Account no: 1071 330 888
Branch / Clearing Code: 107 110
Swift code: NEDSZAJJ

  1. Send your proof of payment to info@sustainabilityinstitute.net so that we can look out for your donation
  2. Please verify what you want the donation to be used for

The Sustainability Institute team

Total: R100.00

View our latest Impact Report

The Team

Lynedoch Community School Coordinator

Jessica Eley
COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

Rosaline Van Niekerk
Teaching Assistant

Magdalene de Villiers
Admin Assistant

Jo-ann Pieterse
Admin Assistant

Gretchen Matthys
Trained Adult 6 - 9 Environment

Atiyyah Cariem
Class Assistant

Shannon Daniels
Trained Adult 9 - 12 environment

Carmen van der Venter
Teaching Assistant

Brendine Johnsons
Teaching Assistant

Janine Rozaan Jaftha
Teaching Assistant

Duran Byman
Trained Adult 6 - 9 environment

Mariana van Niekerk

Lynedoch Community School Coordinator

Jessica Eley

Jessica Eley is a qualified teacher, specialising in learner support and special educational needs.

She has worked in this field since 2013, working in the private school sector, abroad in France and Vietnam, and locally as well. She holds two diplomas from UNISA in Tourism and Event Management and a Post Graduate in Education. Her passion is working with children and providing them with individualised support catering to their specific needs. Originally from and living in the area, Jessica is driven and motivated to provide the children in the Lynedoch Valley and surrounds, with the support, guidance and love to the best of her ability to create a better future for them.

Email:jessica@sustainabilityinstitute.net

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

Rosaline Van Niekerk

Ross is a registered Assessor and Facilitator in Lynedoch Early Learning. She holds a NQF level 4 and NQF level 5 Diploma in Early Childhood Development.

She is the epitome of someone who practices what she believes within the classroom, due to her practical experience of working with children. Her vision is that every person working with children must have an accredited qualification, because we those are the people who help build a holistic development of the child. Directors and assistants must be proud of the role they play in children’s lives and also have the confidence that they are the best.

Email:ross@sustainabilityinstitute.net

Teaching Assistant

Magdalene de Villiers

In 2020 she started at the Lynedoch Community School as a Teaching Assistant. She is now responsible for the 9-12 year old children at Lynedoch Community School. She is very passionate in what she does and always strives to do everything to the best of her ability. Previously Magdalene worked for SPARK school from 2017- 2019 as a Supervisor taking care of children, ensuring that they were safe and happy.

Every day she is granted is a learning experience for her to gain more knowledge about what she is passionate about. Working with children provides her with an opportunity to improve herself on a daily basis. She loves reading and doing nature walks within the Lynedoch Community. For Magdalene being in an environment that provides access to all of the tools and inspiration, brings pure joy to her heart and soul.

Admin Assistant

Jo-ann Pieterse

Jo-ann started working for the Lynedoch Community School in 2021 as a cleaner. Her duties has grown and she is now also assisting with various administrative duties. Prior to joining the school, she worked for six years as a pre-school teacher in a traditional learning space. “Since I started working at LCS I learned so much more about the Montessori way of learning and it so different. I have done computer training and I also enrolled into a higher institute to do a course on administration. I’m vey passionate about the work I’m doing and always try my best at everything that I’m doing.”

Admin Assistant

Gretchen Matthys

Gretchen Matthys graduated from the Lynedoch Youth Programme in 2012. She came back to the SI in 2020 as an intern, when she worked at the Lynedoch Community School as a cleaner. She showed great potential, and soon she was appointed as the administration assistant at the Lynedoch Community School.

Trained Adult 6 - 9 Environment

Atiyyah Cariem

Atiyyah joined the Lynedoch Community School in July 2022. She is a qualified 3-6 year old Montessori Directress and a 6-12 year old Montessori Guide. She also holds a BCom degree in Law and Management and a PGCE to teach Business Studies, Economic Management Studies and Life Sciences at a high school level. Atiyyah has nine years teaching experience in environments ranging from toddlers to matric and have taught in both traditional and Montessori environments.

Class Assistant

Shannon Daniels

Shannon Daniels, a Youth Programme graduate, started as an intern at the SI in May 2020. He works at the Lynedoch Community School, and is a very valuable asset to the organisation and has gained a great amount of experience. He has learned that he has a connection with the children and also what significant role the SI plays in the lives of the children and youth from this community. “My time at the SI has helped me to become more ambitious and I identified a lot of opportunities. I also developed a big love working with children.”

Shannon has been the class assistant in the 12 – 15 environment since March 2022 this year. It has been an incredible learning opportunity for him as this is the first time for him to hold such a senior role. He has taken it with both hands and commits to making a difference in the lives of the children. He is providing them with valuable life skills and lessons that are enabling the children to live a more confident and enriched life. He supports the lead teacher by supporting all projects and ensuring all children are directed towards their interests. On the sports field he is a motivational person from this community, he is always encouraging and supportive to all the children. His personal and professional growth is inspiring. When you are aligned with the goals and vision of the program you work in, incredible things can happen.

Trained Adult 9 - 12 environment

Carmen van der Venter

My love for children led me to pursue a qualification in Early Childhood Development. I had to adapt to the level of the scholar as they each comprehend on a
different level and to ensure that learning material is understood which further broadened my love of working with children.

In January 2021, I started as a Montessori Assistant at the Lynedoch Community School. Coming from a CAPS based learning environment, I had to adapt again to the Montessori way of learning. From what I have experienced so far is that there are other ways for children to learn at their own pace and not just traditional classroom-based learning. I enjoy learning with the children in our space.

I am a person that knows my worth and always strives to achieve and do my best in everything that I take on. I am very passionate about education and love working with individuals on all levels. My educational career has helped shape me to continue to strive to understand the aspects of my field better.
Over the next few years, I’m hoping to continue to live out my passion of inspiring, educating, and engaging with others – whether it is with youth or adults.

Teaching Assistant

Brendine Johnsons

Brendine is a qualified School Facilitator. He has been involved in schools for eight years giving support to teachers to help children reach their full potential. Currently he is an Assistant Montessori Educator at the Lynedoch Community School. He believes every child has the opportunity to reach his/her full potential when the environment is conducive for learning.

Teaching Assistant

Janine Rozaan Jaftha

Janine is an Assistant Teacher in the 6 – 9 environment. She is overjoyed to be part of such an amazing school, the Lynedoch Community School, as well as working alongside a passionate team.

She believes every child is unique and deserves a caring, inspiring and engaging atmosphere in which to grow emotionally, intellectually and socially. As an Assistant Teacher she helps students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing a safe, risk-taking and collaborative environment. She wants students to develop positive character and leadership traits which are essential in becoming a productive citizen. She looks forward to giving back to the community that she is also a product of.

Janine is gentle, passionate, intuitive, caring and an introvert. Her hobbies include singing, playing guitar, drawing and walks on the beach.

Teaching Assistant

Duran Byman

Duran is a Guide assistant in the Montessori adolescent program working with children ages 12 – 15 years. He holds a certificate in Sports Coaching and Administration. He finished his ABET course in 2018 and is currently studying towards his Bachelor of Education degree in the Intermediate Phase at UNISA. He’s a dedicated and self-motivated person. He came through the SI’s Youth Programme at age 14 and is currently a soccer coach for Lynedoch United.

Trained Adult 6 - 9 environment

Mariana van Niekerk

Mariana van Niekerk has worked as a Montessori directress for more than 25 years. She also spent eight years as a mainstream educator in Lutzville. She holds a BA Hon degree in journalism and worked as a journalist for eight years before Montessori changed her life. Her first Montessori qualification was obtained from the then London Montessori Centre and she is currently completing an Association Montessori International diploma for the six to twelve age group. She believes that education should be an aid to life and that all children should have the freedom to become the best human beings they can possibly be. Working in the Lynedoch Valley at the Lynedoch Community School is a dream come true.