At Ocean View, our close-knit and collaborative team of class teachers, specialist providers, and support staff creates a happy and productive learning environment where every student thrives. Our collaborative approach ensures that students receive consistent support across subjects, fostering both academic and personal growth. Regular team meetings allow us to share insights and tailor our teaching strategies to meet individual student needs, making our teaching dynamic and responsive. All of our class teachers are appropriately qualified for the phase that they teach and are registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE). Our specialist providers are experts in their fields and deliver their lessons with skill and enthusiasm. Everyone who works at Ocean View has undertaken all of the clearances required by the Department of Education, underscoring our commitment to professionalism and safety.
Principal
Lucy Cronje
After earning her BA (Hons) degree in the U.K., Lucy trained at the Montessori Centre International (MCI) in London before founding Ocean View Montessori School in 1994. Over the years, she has expanded her expertise by completing an MA degree in Educational Leadership and an AMI Specialisation Course in Montessori Primary Education. Lucy has mentored over 200 teachers worldwide, helping them implement Montessori principles in diverse settings, and has shared her passion for education with students across the globe in her role as a trainer and examiner for MCI and Montessori Centre South Africa. She has special interests in team leadership, environmental education, curriculum development and visual art and remains committed to lifelong learning.
Toddler and Pre-primary teachers
Yoginie Naidoo, toddler teacher
After a 20-year career in business, Yoginie was inspired by her daughter’s experience at Ocean View to pursue Montessori education. She earned her Montessori teaching qualification in 2015, and subsequently ran her own school for 10 years before joining Ocean View. As a certified Yoga and Karate instructor, Yoginie integrates movement-based activities into daily learning, fostering physical confidence and supporting cognitive development among her students. Her unique approach helps children develop focus, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for holistic wellbeing.
Bridget Fourie, pre-primary teacher
Bridget Fourie is a qualified Montessori teacher with over seven years’ experience in early childhood education. She integrates Montessori principles into both her classroom practice and home life with her two children, fostering a nurturing and holistic environment.
Bridget has a special interest in emotional literacy, nervous system awareness, and equipping children with practical coping tools for everyday challenges. As the creator of ‘The Heart of Emotional Literacy’, she develops social-emotional learning programmes and resources for young children, designed to build emotional awareness, resilience, and confidence in children aged 4–10 years.
Siziphiwe Lusiki, pre-primary teacher
After working as an au-pair in New York, Sizi returned to South Africa to study for and complete her Montessori Diploma, joining Ocean View in 2019. Over the years, she has gained valuable classroom experience, sparking curiosity among her students and encouraging collaborative learning. As a mother of a busy toddler, she fully values the development of independence along with language and social skills as a foundation for all later learning. She strives to create a warm and supportive atmosphere where children feel confident to explore and grow. She is currently completing her B.Ed. degree in Foundation Phase Education.
Yumna MooIla, pre-primary teacher
With over a decade of experience in Montessori education, along with extensive training and research in sensory integration, Yumna has been a dedicated member of Ocean View since 2016. She is deeply committed to nurturing confident, self-aware children, with a strong passion for language development and communication. She intentionally fosters independence and strong work habits, guiding children to take ownership of their learning with focus, discipline, and pride. Yumna is also deeply passionate about fitness and wellness, recognising the profound connection between movement and cognition. She believes that when the two streams of energy — the mind and the body — are aligned, children flourish. As a mother of two boys, she brings not only professional expertise, but heartfelt understanding to every child she guides, creating an environment where children feel grounded, capable, and wholly enough.
Natasha Watson, pre-primary teacher
After completing a BA in Creative Brand Communication, Natasha returned to her first calling—working with young children in a Montessori environment. She completed her Post Graduate Foundation Phase Qualification and joined the Ocean View team in 2020, where she brings a deep appreciation for nature and art into her teaching practice. Her passion for nature and art is evident in her creative lesson plans, which often incorporate outdoor exploration and artistic expression, fostering curiosity and creativity among her students. Natasha has completed the AMI Montessori Sports Course and has implemented this programme at Ocean View.
Junior Primary Staff
Sarah Changuion, primary teacher
Sarah began teaching at Ocean View in 2010 and completed her Primary Montessori Diploma in 2015. With a Bachelor of Education from Cambridge University, she became the founding teacher of the primary school in 2017. Sarah is passionate about reading and strives to inspire a lifelong love of books and learning in every child. She also enjoys instilling the children with a love of maths, through use of the amazing Montessori materials to discover the joy and satisfaction of understanding maths through the Montessori materials. Sarah was a lecturer and teaching practice mentor for Montessori Centre South Africa at the Durban Campus. In 2025, she completed a course in Montessori & Special Educational Needs.
Razia Bassa, Primary Teacher
Razia completed her Montessori Diploma while raising her two daughters and joined the team in January 2000. Over the years, she has continued to grow professionally, earning her B.Ed. and completing the Montessori Primary Course. She then joined Sarah in the Primary School, where she brings warmth, patience and heartfelt dedication to her classroom each day. Razia loves sharing her creativity and culinary talents with the children, all while staying true to a strong Montessori foundation and ethos. Razia shared her knowledge with many students in her role as a Lecturer and Teaching Practice Mentor for Montessori Centre South Africa.
Senior Primary Staff – Evolve
Trish Sewpershad, Senior Primary Teacher
Trish has a B Ed degree in intermediate and senior phase. As part of the Ocean View Learning Studio Team she enjoys nurturing individual children on their learning journeys using Evolve’s cutting edge curriculum and online platform and liaising with parents daily.
Support staff
Nosipho Makhaye
As a Montessori Mum, Nosipho has a unique understanding of what it takes to keep all aspects of the school in order. She provides a high level of administrative support to all team members. Nosipho is also our aftercare supervisor.
Samkele Buthelezi
Sammy has completed the AMI Montessori classroom assistants course. She provides support to the pre-primary and primary staff and pupils. Always willing to help and with a ready smile, she keeps our classrooms spotless.
Thuli Dlamini:
Thuli has completed the AMI Montessori classroom assistants course. She assists Yoginie in the Toddler group, ever patient and gentle the little people are always comforted by her warmth and sense of fun.
Bonga Gumede:
Joined Ocean View in 2008 and is responsible for gardening and maintenance. Bonga has completed courses in permaculture gardening and is also a trained chef and painter. His deep love for children is reflected in all of his interactions with them as he goes about his daily duties.
Specialist part-time providers
Coach Njapa
KZN Chess team member, provides a stimulating chess programme for the primary school and assists in preparing the children for tournaments.
Young Engineers www.youngengineers.org
Provide our Coding and Robotics programme. Our pupils learn about the fundamental ideas of coding and the practical application of these using ‘Algobuddy.’ Alongside this they are introduced to basic concepts of mechanical engineering using Lego kits and the ‘Bricks Challenge.’
Nkosikhona Mgungwana
Is a professional musician who values working with children and sharing his skills and passion for music, bringing out the very best in them all.
Cara Roberts
Cara is a professional actor and shares her contagious enthusiasm for the stage with our pupils. Developing confidence in communication, expression, team work and performance are the focus of her fun-filled lessons.
Virginia Mungwe
Our very own Mrs M, Joined Ocean View in 2019 and delivers fun and energetic isiZulu lessons to the primary class. Through stories, songs and cultural lessons she gives the children an understanding of, and love for, the language.
Renaldo Jacks
As an experienced extra-mural sports coach and founder of ‘Football Factorie.’ Renaldo is passionate about the importance of sport in education. He runs our junior primary sports and fitness programme.
Loraine Hicks
As the primary swimming coach, she shares her love of sport and fitness with the children. She helps the children gain confidence in the water and provides clear guidance on strokes.