Having a close knit and collaborative team of teachers and support staff makes for a happy and productive learning environment; this is what we have achieved at Ocean View. All of our 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 all 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.
Our Principal
Lucy Cronje
Originally from the U.K., Lucy obtained a BA (Hons) degree prior to training at the Montessori Centre International (MCI) in London. She founded Ocean View Montessori School in 1993 motivated by her desire to create an inclusive learning environment. She has shared her love of teaching with many adult students in her role as a trainer and examiner for Montessori Centre South Africa. Lucy has a special interest in environmental education, curriculum development and visual art. She has completed the Montessori Centre South Africa (MCSA) Primary Teaching Course and has recently completed an MA degree in Educational Leadership.
Our Toddler and Pre-primary group teachers
Umia Daya, Toddler teacher:
Umia qualified through MCI in 1995. She joined Ocean View in January 1998 and has worked in all age groups since then. Umia has been running the toddler group since 2000 and has been very involved in the development of the Toddler curriculum. Her enthusiasm for stimulating all areas of development leads to a wonderful learning environment for Ocean View Toddlers. Umia joined MCSA as a trainer in 2013 and has lectured and examined in all Montessori curriculum areas.
Yumna MooIa, Pre-primary teacher:
After travelling and working in London, Yumna completed her Montessori Diploma with MCSA and joined Ocean View in July 2016. As a mother of two young boys, she is fully aware of the importance of the early years of education and the fostering of independence, self-confidence and the development of EQ. Her teaching style is characterised by warmth and spontaneity.
Natasha Watson, Pre-primary teacher:
After completing a BA in Creative Brand Communication, Natasha has returned to her first calling, that of working with little people in a Montessori setting. She joined Ocean View in 2021 having completed her Post Graduate Foundation Phase Qualification and Montessori training. She brings a love of nature and art into all of her teaching activities.
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. She fully values the development of general knowledge, social skills and independence as a foundation for all later learning. She is now embarking on her own learning journey and commencing her B Ed degree.
Our Primary Staff
Sarah Changuion, Primary Teacher:
After completing her B Ed in the UK, Sarah moved to South Africa to marry and start a family. She completed the Montessori Pre-primary Diploma and joined Ocean View in 2012 and has since completed the Montessori Primary course. She was the founding teacher in our primary school and has a passion for language and environmental learning which she shares with the children. Sarah inspires pupils with her love of learning.
Razia Bassa, Primary Teacher:
Razia completed her Montessori Diploma as a mother of two young girls and joined the Ocean View Team in 2012. She has since continued with her studies to complete her B Ed and the Montessori Primary course, and now works alongside Sarah and Larissa in our primary class. Razia shares her love of the Montessori materials, creativity and culinary skills with her pupils.
Our Support staff
Samkele Buthelezi:
Sammy 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 assists Umia 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 manages our community vegetable garden. Bonga 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.
Our Specialist part-time providers
Superkid Ndlovu:
Super of the Legendary Survivors Dance Crew offers Break Dance as an extra mural from Grade R upwards. A gifted and patient teacher, he holds the children in awe with his talent and love of dance.
Coach Njapha
As a KZN Chess team member, provides a stimulating chess programme for the primary school and prepares them to participate in the Durban and District Chess League matches.
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. Apart from group music lessons, he also teaches guitar, vocals, piano & drums and is a keen performer.
Cara Roberts:
Cara is a professional actor who works with Kickstart Theatre Company (you may have spied her as ‘Fern’ and ‘Gussy The Goose’ in Charlotte’s Web!). Last year she was the solo performer in ‘The King of Broken Things’. Cara has lots of experience with little ones, and her enthusiasm is contagious. 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 our pupils. Through stories, songs and cultural lessons she helps the children to develop an understanding of, and love for, the language.
Renaldo Jacks:
As an experienced extra-mural sports coach and founder of ‘Football Factory’, Renaldo is passionate about the importance of sport in early years development. He runs our junior primary sports and fitness programme.
Loraine Hicks:
Joined Ocean View in 2019 as the Primary swimming coach and share her love of sport and fitness with the children. She helps the children gain confidence in the water and provides clear guidance on strokes.