Academic Staff - Know Our Teachers

Martin van der Linde (Headmaster)

Martin van der Linde was awarded his BA (Ed) Honours degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, majoring in Education and Geography with sub-majors in Biblical Studies and Economics.

Mr. van der Linde began his teaching career at Boksburg High School in 1991. After three years he moved to international education at Lilongwe Private School in Malawi, leaving after five years, having attained the position of deputy headmaster. He was housemaster, co-curricular director and deputy headmaster at the International School
of South Africa in Mafikeng where he was employed for three years.

An opportunity in the business field led Mr. van der Linde back to Malawi where he took up a position as company director and general manager of a successful design and manufacturing company in Blantyre. His love for education brought him back to South Africa where, between April 2003 and October 2006 he was headmaster of Ridgeway College, a thriving independent school in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo Province. He most recently acted as consulting Head to a new Independent school in George and launched an academic support and distance learning support centre there.

Professionally Mr. van der Linde has served as chairperson of ACESA (The Association of Cambridge Educators of Southern Africa) and was appointed in 2006 as Umalusi schools evaluator. Umalusi is the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training. He has also attended numerous professional educational conferences and workshops over the years including the International Conference of Principals in 2005. He is passionate about best practice and contemporary innovation in education.

Martin offers vast experience in the field of sports coaching and administration. He has a proven track record as a hockey and cricket coach, but his experience is not limited to these fields. He has also participated competitively in rugby, golf, squash, cycling, and angling. He is also a qualified open water scuba diver.

Martin has been enthusiastically active in amateur dramatics and acted in numerous major productions and revues over the past 14 years.

Martin believes strongly in the concept of servant-leadership and he has been active in community service at various levels. Firstly, through active membership and chairmanship of Round Tables - Lilongwe 32 and Zoutpansberg 66. Also, amongst others, he was appointed as an executive committee member of the Zoutpansberg Chamber of Commerce in 2004 and 2005 specifically regarding youth entrepreneurship initiatives. He has received awards for his involvement in blood donor drives from the SANBS and was selected to attend the annual Rotary Group Study Exchange to Sweden in 2005.

He is married to Jackie and has two sons, Christopher and Rheece.

Athalie Cochrane (Secretary)

More about Athalie Cochrane will be available soon.

Charlotte Pretorius

"Natural abilities are like natural plants: they need pruning by study" (F. Bacon)

Dit is waarmee ek my daagliks besig hou. Ek gee lewenswetenskappe (die ou Biologie) vir al die grade in Principia en ek glo dat almal die nodige talente het om sy/haar lewe ‘n sukses te kan maak. Die kos maar net ‘n bietjie skaafwerk, aanmoediging, selfdissipline en natuurlik harde werk. Ek is mal oor my vak en kan soms ver gaan stories haal om iets te verduidelik.

Ek stap al ‘n lang pad met Principia - 12 jaar!

Principia is deel van die Pretoriusfamilie.

My man en ek was albei stigterslede en beide my kinders het hier gematrikuleer. Francois (die eerste ingeskrewe leerder van Principia) het sy Grafiese Kuns met Kunsgeskiedenis (Honneurs) en Helouise het B.Com FinRek en B. Com Bemarking behaal. Albei glo vas dat ‘n groot deel van hul suksesse is as gevolg van die ondersteuning en goeie onderwys wat hulle hier in Principia gekry het.

Chrisna du Preez

" When words fail, Music Speaks" HC Anderson

My beroep is vir my ‘n roeping en streef ek daarna om die liefde oor te dra aan elke leerling. Met my  passie en entoesiasme streef ek daarna  om ‘n positiewe bydrae te maak en leerders te  inspireer om hul  volle potensiaal te bereik.  Ek glo dat leerlinge hulself moet  ontdek deur musiek, om nie net ‘n verskil te maak, maar om die verskil te wees.

Connie Minnaar

WIE IS EK

Gebore in Pietersburg (Polokwane) en groot geword in Pretoria (Tswane), dus ‘n stoere Bloubul ondersteuner!!

SKOOL/ STUDIES & VORIGE WERKSONDERVINDING

Matrikuleer aan die Hoërskool Silverton in Pretoria. Lief vir sport. Het deelgeneem aan Verspring, 3000 - Meter, Netbal en vir Noort-Tvl Ringtennis gespeel.

Gestudeer by Tukkies (Pretoria) en verwerf ‘n BCOM-Rekeningkunde Graad, asook ‘n Hoër Onderwys Diploma. Kwalifiseer later as ‘n CFA-Rekenmeester by ‘n rekenmeestersfirma in Pretoria.

Woon gedurende 2003 vir ses maande in Nieu Seeland (Rotorua) en gee deeltydse onderwys. Keer terug na SA en tree in die huwelik in 2004, waarna ons na Oudtshoorn verhuis.

Verbonde aan Suid-Kaap Kollege as dosent in Rekeningkunde en ander Finansiële vakke, vanaf 2004 tot en met 2008.

MY GESIN

Ek is getroud met Nico. Baba Nicolene is gebore in Junie 2008 en neem die Minnaar huishouding oor!

PRINCIPA

Sluit aan by Principia in Januarie 2009 en verantwoordelik vir Rekeningkunde Gr10 tot 12. Ek sien uit na ‘n positiewe jaar in Rekeningkunde!!

Elise Olivier

My future was determined by the dolls I played with at the age of 8. That's when I decided to study teaching because my pupils were so well behaved and did everything I wanted them to do without asking any questions.

In die werklikheid is dinge heelwat anders, het ek toe uitgevind, maar ek dink nog steeds dat onderwys die beroep is waar ‘n mens werklik ‘n verskil kan maak.

Vandag se tieners is uitgelewer aan baie vreemde en verwarrende dinge en dis soms moelik om besluite te neem wat ‘n goeie toekoms sal bewerkstellig.

I feel privileged to be part of the learning process of such complex and unique individuals and the fact that I may make a difference in possibly one person's life makes our profession so much better than anything else out there.

Estie Fourie

As a teacher it is a challenge to develop individual potential and my reward is the satisfaction that learners experience when they master something new.

I want to inspire the learners to achieve their ultimate goals and realize their individual dreams, by achieving the best results possible.  I believe to achieve all the above and to positively influence even one learner, teachers need to have dedication and passion for their work!

Heindre Keuler

Grade en kwalifikasies

Het by NWU se Potchefstroom kampus studeer waar ek in my 4de jaar ‘n graad en ‘n ekstra sertifikaat gewerf. NI. B.Com Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Toerisme bestuur en my NGOS Onderwys Sertifikaat.

Entertainment

Gunsteling skrywer: Stephen King.

Musiek: enige iets behalwe Afrikaans en dans musiek

Flieks: The Departed, Full metal jacket, enige aksie fliek

Stokperdjies:

Vang baie vis, jag

Lief vir : kos maak...

Hugo Pienaar

If I can teach pupils-to believe in themselves and work to their full potential, teaching will be worthwhile and meaningful.

Indien ‘n leerling besef dat hy/sy verantwoordelik en verantwoordbaar is vir sy/haar vordering, dan is onderwys die moeite werd.

Landi Niemandt

Groot geword op ‘n plaas net buitekant Carletonville (In die hartjie van die goudmyn bedryf). Geboer met mielies en melk. My skoolloopbaan daar voltooi!

Verder gaan studeer op RAU : B.A. Kommunikasie Graad voltooi in 1992 daarna by Nissan SA se hoofkantoor in Sandton gewerk tot 1998. Na die geboorte van my seun besluit om te gaan onderwys studeer. My NHOD voltooi in 2001 en my B.Ed HONNEURS  in Opvoedkundige en Leerondersteuning voltooi in 2003.

Is baie gelukkig getroud met Pieta van den Heever en geseënd met 2 kinders - Stefan en Anne-Mari. Het ook ‘n hele dieretuin by die huis, 3 honde, 2 katte en ‘n papagaai.

Wanneer die skool my nie besig hou nie, gee ek spinning klasse, lees baie graag fiksie en fantasie boeke..... MAAR wat my die meeste plesier gee in my vrye tyd is sport! FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX!!!!!!!!!!Baie groot Michael Schumacher ondersteuner!

Kyk ook graag Tennis, Krieket en Rugby!

My lewensfilosofie is: Leef en laat leef!

Lindie van der Veen

Ek het my B.Sc graad aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch behaal en het daarna ‘n Onderwysdiploma gedoen.

Baie dae spandeer kinders meer ure by die skool as by die huis - en daarom beskou ek onderwys as ‘n groot verantwoordelikheid -  en ‘n voorreg! Om Wiskunde te onderrig is altyd ‘n uitdaging en vir my is daar ‘never a dull moment'.

Ek het ‘n passie vir reis, is lief vir diere - dit gee my groot plesier om aan die einde van ‘n dag met my honed te gaan stap!

Lizette van Zyl

Madeleine Krügel

I grew up in Bloemfontein where I completed my school and tertiary education. I completed  my BA Degree and national Diploma in Tourism management in 2006 and served as lecturer to first year students in management during this time.

I have a strong passion for education and young people and their development as strong individuals and firmly believe that Principia provides the tools to enter the world ready to conquer.

My hobbies include reading autobiographies and my cheerleading team where I work with so many talented girls. I absolutely love shopping and HANDBAGS!

Marionette Hattingh

My motto as an educator:

"To teach is also to learn". As a teacher I have opportunities every day to make a change in the world of a child to make it a better place. I have a caring nature and am passionate about the wellbeing of children. Through example we inspire children to be the best they could be. The smiling face of a child greeting you in the morning makes my day WOW.

Philip Croucamp

(Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele taal gr 10 - 12; Tegnologie - gr 8-9; Sportorganiseerder; Koördineerder: EXPO-klub)

My visie is dat daar vir elke leerders by Principia, die beste geleenthede moet wees vir ‘n goed-gebalanseerde opvoeding.

Ronnie Burton

BA (UED) BA (Hon) Drama
University Education Diploma
Licentiate Trinity College of London (Speech and Drama)
Licentiate of Trinity College of London (Effective Speaking)
Certificate in Community theatre (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Teacher’s Licentiate in Speech and Drama (UNISA)
42 years teaching experience
Subjects and grades
English Home Language Gr. 12
English Home Language Gr. 11
English Home Language Gr. 10
Dramatic Arts Gr. 12
Dramatic Arts Gr. 10

Philosophy of life
I believe that the children I work with are made in God’s image and therefore I try to see god in each child and try to motivate them to be the best that they can be, so that they can fit comfortably in God’s world.

Rozelle Claassen

Ek is lief vir my taal, daarom lees ek graag Afrikaans boeke, luister na sangers soos Steve Hofmeyr en Juanita du Plessis en geniet ek elke oomblik van klasgee.
Ek het in Oudtshoorn gematrikuleer en daarna my BA Tale verwerf aan die Potchefstroom Universiteit.  Daarna het ek Matieland besoek vir 'n jaar en my NGOS daar voltooi.  Ek is 'n kind van die Klein Karoo en voel elke dag bevoorreg om hier te kan woon en skoolgee.

Wena Maartens

Vakke en Grade wat ek aanbied:
English First Additional Language, grades 9 - 12

Kwalifikasies
B.A., LSOD

Kinderjare
Gebore op Worcester, grootgeword in Port Elizabeth

Studie en Werk
Studeer aan UPE.
Werk daarna as vertaalster vir drie koerante van Nasionale Pers: Die Oosterlig (PE), Die Beeld (Johannesburg) en Rapport (Johannesburg).
Werk ook later as kopieskrywer vir 'n advertensiemaatskappy in Johannesburg: Thomas Downing en Vennote (later Barker McCormack).

Ontspanning
Het vroeër pottebakkery gedoen en beplan om dit weer te doen as ek aftree! Lees nie-fiksie: geskiedenis, populêre wetenskap soos Bill Bryson se Short History of Nearly Everything; poësie (veral e.e. cummings); atlasse, ensiklopedieë, telefoongidse, Time Magazine - eintlik alles wat interessant is!

Luister graag opera (maar nie graag simfonie nie!). Gaan fliek selde, maar hou van spanningsflieks soos Perfume (nie aksie-flieks nie!)

Ander Prestasies
Is 'n gepubliseerde skrywer en digter (het onder andere Langenhoven Gimnasium se skoollied geskryf)

Aanhaling
Ek het twee!
Shakespeare: "The man that hath no music in himself, let no such man be trusted!"
Dannie Abse: "Working is another way of praying."