About us

About

Waldorf

We are a vibrant, growing, community school situated in the picturesque suburb of Rietvallei, near Irene, Pretoria. 

We offer a beautiful safe haven for children to develop their inner potential and their unique capacities. As a Waldorf School our approach to education is based on and appropriate for each developmental phase of childhood and encourages the child’s sense of truth, beauty and goodness. Our aim is to inspire a lifelong love of learning in our children and a secure sense of their place in our community.

We have an experienced committed teachers’ body that is dedicated to our children – working towards creating an inner enthusiasm for learning and encouraging motivation to naturally arise from within. Our teachers realise the importance of recognising that a child is essentially a spiritual being consisting of the three faculties of willing, feeling, and thinking. Our teachers strive to acknowledge and nurture every aspect of the child through a methodology and curriculum infused with artistic activities.

“Waldorf pupils are encouraged to live with self-assurance, a reverence for life and a sense of service.”
– Ernest Boyer, President, Carnegie Institute for the Advancement of Teaching, Former U.S. Commissioner of Education

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About our

Carers

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Natalie McCormick

I started my journey with the Waldorf movement at Rosemary Hill Waldorf School, then known as Max Stibbe. I was all of 23 years old. 

This step became a very big part

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Caryn

I received my bachelors in education from TUKS and found that many children have learning difficulties which is why I continued studying and completed my honours in learner support, which gave me skills I use daily in the classroom to aid the learners who require it.

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Danielle

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. Interacting with young people and shaping the future of our nation has always been a driving force of mine.

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Rebecca

After completing my BEd at the University of Pretoria, I spent the next 4 years teaching Grade 1, followed by 2 years teaching Grade 5. I loved the challenge of teaching vastly different grades.

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Linda Raubenheimer

My journey to The Village Waldorf School came via a love of learning and books, by way of my experience of regimented teaching at regular schools and finally, through the realisation that children are filled with wonder when 

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Nicole Esquino

Becoming a teacher was always a dream and an aspiration for me, as I knew I wanted to be helping to shape the minds of the future and to be there for children and make a positive impact on their lives. When walking into

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Charmaine

I am a dedicated teacher with 15 years teaching experience, teaching English and Afrikaans. I focus on creating an environment where children can have a constructive and inspiring learning experience

Natalie McCormick

My Name is Natalie McCormick. 

I started my journey with the Waldorf movement at Rosemary Hill Waldorf School, then known as Max Stibbe. I was all of 23 years old. 

This step became a very big part of my life and for 16 years, I worked, learned and grew as a person. The relationships I formed during this time, were dynamic and special. My mentor, 

Annelie Franken, still holds a piece of my heart and I will be forever grateful for that time. It was also during this early time of our lives that three beautiful children were born to us and also became a part of Waldorf education.

After a stint overseas and a small teaching post when we returned, I found myself at the Village Waldorf School and once again felt like I had come home.

Three years ago I had the opportunity to move from the primary school into the kindergarten, and I thought, this will be good, a change, how difficult can it be? Difficult maybe not the right word, challenging, oh yes but rewarding? Without a shadow of a doubt!

I am currently still in the Kindergarten with all my beautiful babies. I am supported by Aunty Nontokozo and Aunty Thami and am so grateful to be working alongside these ladies. We are growing in every way. What a delight and privilege to be a part of this very beautiful school.

Caryn

I received my bachelors in education from TUKS and found that many children have learning difficulties which is why I continued studying and completed my honours in learner support, which gave me skills I use daily in the classroom to aid the learners who require it. Waldorf education is one of the only curricula that puts the child first, it is learner centered and focuses on building the child up through their hands, heart and head at their own pace. The beauty seen in what these children can create independently through the strength of their own will, is a constant inspiration for myself as their teacher to provide in depth and meaningful learning and guidance as we walk this path together.

Danielle

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. Interacting with young people and shaping the future of our nation has always been a driving force of mine.
I have taught in various education systems; CAPS and IEB, and yet I felt unsatisfied with the impact that either of them gave me as a teacher.
Waldorf education revolves around immersing the children in stories; and the child as a whole, the head, heart and hands. This is something that ignites a fire and love for teaching in me and in my classroom. I am passionate about fostering a nurturing and creative environment, which I believe The Village Waldorf School provides for both teacher and child. The moment I stepped into the school, I knew this was where I was meant to be.

Rebecca

After completing my BEd at the University of Pretoria, I spent the next 4 years teaching Grade 1, followed by 2 years teaching Grade 5. I loved the challenge of teaching vastly different grades. However, I was struck with the realisation that in mainstream education, children no longer have the opportunity to be children. There was little laughter, fun, and learning through exploration. There were lots of tests, dry textbooks, and an immense amount of pressure on these young minds.
Waldorf has provided me with a renewed sense of hope in my chosen career. I am grateful that there are still schools where children can play, learn creatively, express themselves, and enjoy coming to school every day. Our school truly is a village, where every child is loved, accepted, and allowed to thrive.

Linda Raubenheimer

My journey to The Village Waldorf School came via a love of learning and books, by way of my experience of regimented teaching at regular schools and finally, through the realisation that children are filled with wonder when they come into the world but that the regimented, prosaic curriculum and the frantic and forced teaching in regular schools dims the light of a child.

And, then I discovered this school and the Waldorf approach to learning. And so, I was able to give the gift of a happy and relaxed childhood to my own child, my last born and also to, at last, truly enjoy teaching by becoming a Waldorf teacher myself, and find true meaning in the education of the whole child for the whole human being.

Nicole Esquino

Becoming a teacher was always a dream and an aspiration for me, as I knew I wanted to be helping to shape the minds of the future and to be there for children and make a positive impact on their lives. When walking into The Village Waldorf, I felt immediately that this was where I needed and wanted to be. The immense amount of love and happiness that flows through this school is incredibly moving, the learning environment is magical, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here!

Charmaine

I am a dedicated teacher with 15 years teaching experience, teaching English and Afrikaans. I focus on creating an environment where children can have a constructive and inspiring learning experience. I am to enhance the child’s sense of self and guide them to reason for themselves.