GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Union Preparatory School recently welcomed four new staff members to its team.
Union School Principal Belinda Botha says they are very excited to welcome these exceptional individuals to their team of educators and look forward to a successful school year.
The new appointments are Sandia Barnard, Michaela Harris, Gweny van Deventer and Katie Kotzé.
Photo Gallery: New teachers welcomed at schools
Katie Kotzé has already ingrained herself into the hearts of all those at Union. She joined the UPS team as a substitute Grade 2 teacher in August of 2021 and subsequently accepted a permanent teaching position at UPS. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Foundation Phase education and an honours degree in special needs/learning support.
Before relocating to Graaff-Reinet, she taught in KwaZulu-Natal for 14 years. Katie is joining the Grade 3 team this year, and she also looks forward to becoming more involved in cultural activities at UPS. She believes in a holistic, inclusive and interactive teaching and learning and is passionate about finding ways to reach every child.
Michaela Harris is well-known in the Graaff-Reinet community having grown up on a farm just outside of town. After matriculating from Union in 2014, she completed a gap year at Hurstpierpoint College in the UK. After that, she attended Stellenbosh University where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Intermediate Phase education, majoring in Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Michaela will be teaching the Grade 4s this year. She has an innate passion for teaching that is truly infectious.
Sandia Barnard is joining Union Preparatory School as a Grade 1 teacher this year. Originally from De Aar, Sandia was employed in Britstown before relocating to Graaff-Reinet. She is looking forward to guiding, inspiring, motivating and encouraging Union's young learners and to make a positive impact in the world around them.
Gweny van Deventer will be teaching the Grade 4s this year. She is very excited to start her journey at Union Preparatory School. "Going to Grade 4 is a big milestone for the learners at UPS. I'm looking forward to sharing it with them and their parents," says Gweny.
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