UPS welcomes new staff members on board

KAROO NEWS - Union Preparatory School welcomed three new staff members this year. This is in addition to another post that will be filled at the start of the second term.

"The school has experienced considerable growth in enrolment and this has resulted in the appointment of a number of new teachers and support staff," says principal, Belinda Botha.

The new appointments are Miss Judy van Heerden, Ms Magda Michaels and Miss Caley Taylor.

Judy van Heerden is well-known in the Graaff-Reinet community, having grown up on a farm just outside of town. After matriculating from Volkskool, she pursued a career in education and is currently busy with her 2nd year of studies towards a BEd Degree in Foundation Phase education through North-West University. Van Heerden, who has been appointed as a Grade 1 class assistant, has an innate passion for teaching that is truly infectious. Besides teaching, she also has a particular interest in sport and is looking forward to being involved in the coaching of swimming and hockey at the school. "I can't wait to meet all the little learners and to be in the fortunate position of being able to put a smile on their faces every day," says Van Heerden.

Magda Michaels was also born and raised in Graaff-Reinet - a proud matriculant of Spandau Secondary School. Michaels, who many Union parents and learners will remember from her tenure as an educator at Union Pre-School, holds a BEd Foundation Phase Degree and will be teaching one of Union Preparatory School's Grade 1 classes this year. "My passion in life is to work with children. I have a particular interest in inclusive education i.e. to meet every child's need, whether education or emotional and look forward to being able to do just that this year," says Michaels.

Caley Taylor, who'll be teaching the Grade 4s this year, matriculated from Collegiate Girls' High School in Port Elizabeth and obtained her BEd Intermediate Phase degree at the University of the Free State. Taylor is looking forward to guiding, inspiring, motivating and encouraging Union's young learners to make a positive impact in the world around them. "My mother, Melanie Watermeyer, enrolled at the Union Schools in her Grade 7 year and is a proud Old Unionite. I am thrilled to be able to teach at the school where she spent so many great years and of which she always speaks so fondly," says Taylor.

UPS is proud to have these new educators on board and look forward to a successful school year!

Magda Michaels