THE VINE SCHOOL - Key Persons
I was interested to see where I could contribute to the life of the school so I joined the PVA this year. Assisting with Family Market Day was way more fun than expected and gave me a chance to work alongside other likeminded parents. I'm looking forward to the next event!
I have been working at The Vine School for almost eight years. I have never experienced such camaraderie, love and unity. Today I have a different view of education and its core values. Being introduced to Charlotte Mason's approach to education has been life changing. I am a different person today, because of it. I've learned that education is more than just numbers and letters in the classroom; it is a lifestyle. I apply the philosophy in my sports lessons to have a non-competitive environment. The children love this approach, because they don't feel pressured to out-perform their peers. Instead they get the satisfaction of improving their own performance. I never knew that education can be this loving and joyful.
I wanted to be more involved in my child's education and contribute to the school's community. Recently I could join the Market Day event, where parents and teachers worked together to create a wonderful atmosphere for everyone involved. It was truly amazing to see how dedicated and passionate the group of parents was in supporting the school's mission and goals.
In 2020 I left the position of Director of Instruction to teach a Grade 1 class. For two-and-a-half years, I thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of guiding and teaching young children and shaping their hearts and minds in the classroom.
When this position became available again, I felt God calling me back to this area of ministry from the classroom. So it was with sadness that I left the classroom in June 2023, but also with much gratitude for the time I spent learning from and teaching these precious young people.
By helping wherever I was needed in the past and now, being part of the PVA makes me feel very much part of The Vine School and feel like I'm giving something back. The school has been instrumental in the spiritual, emotional and academic growth of my son. I am grateful to all those involved over the years. I enjoy being part of this PVA journey. We will strive to do our best!
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications
I started at The Vine School teaching Grade 3, and even though I had taught for 13 years I learned so much more about being a teacher from the Charlotte Mason / Ambleside philosophy. Not only did I see the students grow academically but also in their love of learning and relating to the authors and content we studied. I grew along with them in my own understanding of subjects like composer study, picture study, nature study and handwork and how these subjects add richness to everyday life. It was natural for me to move into the marketing of our school since I had seen first hand the influence that the philosophy has on students and staff alike.
I think that it is valuable for all parents to be involved at some stage. It is a way of playing a more active role in the broader Vine School community rather than only your child's class/grade. I enjoyed being part of Family Market Day, being behind-the-scenes and seeing all the many parts come together to create a cohesive, vibey, family-friendly event! It was great working with such a hard working, resourceful and dedicated team!!
First and foremost, I love The Vine School for the warm and welcoming atmosphere I feel on my arrival at the school every day. Working as the Librarian is a wonderful blessing for me. I am able to observe each pupil grow and thrive during their school years, and I enjoy building trust and respect in all our interactions. It's a privilege to facilitate their literacy skills and foster a deep love for reading and books.
I joined The Vine School working as a part-time after-care assistant. I experienced the warm, kind environment that welcomes everyone with love and care. The school is filled with the grace of God. I observed that it is rare to meet a family as organized and calm as The Vine School. They always know exactly how to behave. The staff are warm and welcoming and the children are disciplined and well-mannered. They treat everyone with love and respect.
I joined the PVA to encourage my daughters to get out of their comfort zone, to collaborate with different people and challenge myself. Being part of the organisational part of Family Market Day taught me the impact of actions and how a community can pull together to create something beautiful for our children and other TVS families.
As a parent, I was drawn to serve on the Board because the school partners with us in raising our children in a Biblical, Christian worldview. I enjoy the opportunity to use my giftings and to grow in the process.
I am excited to use my abilities to serve the school. Good governance will ensure that our school is grounded in principles consistent with the Judeo-Christian worldview, drawing our children to Christ.
When my wife and I discovered the Ambleside philosophy of teaching it resonated with us. We wanted our son immersed in an environment that honours God. We believe that true knowledge is only obtained by understanding our Creator Father.
From the start I was inspired by the potential of this school to throw off the shackles of the government system and pursue nurturing, caring, Christ-honouring education. The heart-warming testimonies of school families, staff and even outsiders are an abundant reward for my small efforts. Soli Deo Gloria.
For a very, very long time - right back to school days - I wanted to reform education into something inspiring and liberating. Twice I started studying to become a teacher, but God had other work for me, and kept drawing me into financial and HR administration instead.
It is therefore a great joy and privilege to serve as Business Manager at a school which embodies everything that I believe education ought to be. I am grateful too for the opportunity to work in a context where Christian ethics are respected both in the classroom and in the admin offices.
I have been involved in Christian education as a student, parent, worker and agitator-for-change for most of my life. My children are now grown but I also care about the children of South Africa. The Vine School's approach has the power to transform lives by affirming values like truth, beauty, integrity and good work.
The Vine school has been my home away from home for over 5 years. Working in the aftercare for all these years has brought me much joy, love, happiness, strength and a feeling of belonging. Working with such great staff (my friends), their love for God is truly evident in their character. Charlotte Mason's teachings have taught me that each child is born a person and they are all unique in their own way. I love being at The Vine and I love them all.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist / Principal 's PA
I joined the school in a "temporary" role, relieving the receptionist when she went on maternity leave, and have been here ever since, serving for a year as the Aftercare Supervisor before taking a permanent position as receptionist and Principal's P.A. I have two children at The Vine School. Watching the way God is moulding them, with a rich nurturing education and a love for God that is displayed and taught through the teachers, is truly a blessing. I love being part of the school family. It's a place where we work, laugh, fellowship and - best of all - pray together.
Becoming part of and leading the Vine School, has been an answer to prayer. I consider myself blessed and I am truly humbled to lead such an incredible team of staff who have a desire to see the Kingdom of God advanced through education and are committed to, not only their own growth, but even more so, the growth of our pupils.
My employment at the school was a godsend at a critical time in my life. I found that the Christian ethos that the school subscribes to is practiced and not only professed. Recently, a student surprised me with a written note of thanks, which was refreshing, especially from such a young person. Here are little treasures awaiting discovery, sometimes in plain sight. I really value the peaceful atmosphere at the school, which contributes to developing some key relational skills within the whole school community.
I joined the PVA because I appreciate what The Vine School is doing for our children and wanted to support that, and also because I had seen other parents working hard to make events like Family Market Day possible in previous years and felt it was my turn to help out. I love the energy and excitement of Family Market Day, and seeing the kids' enthusiasm building to the big day!
The Vine School is like a big family and I love the relational way in which we teach and really get to know each one of our pupils. It is a privilege to be able to pray for and with each other every day, and to nurture kindness and genuine care for one another. Even if there are occasionally disagreements or unkind words, we teach the children how to resolve issues peacefully. They learn how to say sorry properly and how to give and receive forgiveness. In this world where so much emphasis is on doing things for yourself it is fulfilling to see these good traits developing in the children who come through my class.
Job Titles:
- Previous Staff Member - IsiXhosa Teacher and Teacher Assistant
In 2011 my grandson was in Preschool at a small Educare. He had a short attention span and couldn't sit still. The Principal recommended The Vine School to me. She said, "your grandson needs to go to Grade 1 in a small school, and it is a Christian school". I applied to the school and he was accepted. I remember when I was in the interview with the Principal of the school I was open about my grandson's concentration problem. Even so, he agreed to support me. He and the teacher were committed to seeing the real child and not the problems. Many times I was called in for meetings with the Principal when my grandson was not doing well. He advised me what to do at home with him. I observed him at home and gave the school feedback. As years went by I could see the change in him. He finished grade 7 in 2018 and had totally changed in his character and academically.
In 2014 I began an internship at the school to complete a National Diploma in Educare. I was worried because it is an English first language school and has a very high standard. But the support I received from the staff and my supervisors was amazing. It is a real Christian school. Once I was qualified I kept on working in the Preschool. I now teach isi-Xhosa as well in the higher grades, and together we are developing a new curriculum.
The school doesn't limit anyone - they believe in them. It is a lifestyle. My mindset has changed in the way I look at children now. I really enjoy the approach of the school when they deal with staff members and children. You feel so respected after a talk or a meeting with a supervisor. The school also believed in me a lot, they trained me how to teach their curriculum. When I receive feedback about my work they don't hurt my feelings at all they just tell me how to improve in a pleasant way. In the morning when I wake up I look forward to going to work, because it is a pleasant atmosphere to be in.