Principal

Gavin Smith

After doing 2 years study in fine arts, Gavin move on to study education, completing an HDE specializing in Art and Music at the end of 1994. He took up a post teaching music at a primary school in Gauteng where he produced many successful school productions. After moving to Cape Town in July 1999 he taught art at Kirstenhyof PS then accepted a post teaching Grades 5-7 at Ambleside School of Hout Bay in 2001. In 2006 Gavin became deputy Principal and was involved in curriculum and philosophy development. He started as principal in 2008 and the school grew by 60% under his leadership. Gavin was involved in parent and staff development. At the end of 2010 he left the school to pursue a career in arts, had successful exhibitions and, in addition, facilitated corporate training and development courses. Gavin realized that he wanted to work with parents and teachers and when the door opened at Synergy, Gavin started to teach music, movement and drama in term 4 2011. When offered the position of principal for 2012 he accepted.

Teaching staff

Pre-school Grade 0 & 1

Malie Ntshangase Core teacher

Malie originally completed her N4 certificate in dressmaking. During that time she was also involved in various socio-economic activities working mainly with youths in schools. Soon after completing her studies she went to Lesotho for six months to teach sewing at one of the local schools. She says that her experience in Lesotho working with youth from different cultures and speaking a different language was a great learning opportunity, especially having to work with a translator. She also received a certificate for a Community Development course, and was then able to work in disadvantaged communities on a regular basis. She is passionate about the education of children. All children are precious and have something to contribute to humanity, and she believes that they are spiritual beings that have all the attributes and capacities to achieve great things. She believes in the approach of Synergy School and being a member of the Synergy team has greatly enhanced her ability to assist the children throughout their development.

Portia Ntlamba - Teacher's Assistant Pre 0 - Grade R

Portia joined Synergy School in January 2011 and has proved herself to be a real asset to the school. Portia is interested in doing an Early Childhood Development course as she enjoys working with children and would like to further her career. Portia would also like to further develop her administration skills. Portia has been appointed at an assistant in the Pre School and will be assisting the Pre 0 - Grade R groups.

Pre School Pre 2 & 3

  Taflyn Allen Core teacher

  Taflyn has always known that she wanted a career working with children. She has been teaching for 10 years and has an N6 in Early Childhood Development. She has worked at a few preschools across the Peninsula and had her own small school in Noordhoek, which she ended after having her own children.Taflyn is excited to be a part of the Synergy family and all that it stands for. "After having been to one of Robin's talks 5 years ago I admired and respected the philosophy of Synergy." Her wish is that all children, parents and teachers could live the Synergy example.

Primary school

Grade 1 & 2

Susanna Erlings  Core teacher

Susanna is the Grade 1 and 2 teacher at Synergy. She is passionate about children and loves engaging with them on a daily basis. She started as an assistant at Synergy in T2 2011. Susanna studied in Utrecht, Holland. During that time she was also employed at a school very similar to Synergy. Susanna graduated then returned to Cape Town for 3 months’ voluntary work in a children’s home and homework counseling for children. Then she fell in love with a South African and moved to SA in January 2011.

 Sue Maclennan – Grade 1&2 Co-Teacher

Sue taught for many years. She trained at Mowbray Teachers’ College and is qualified to teach foundation phase. When she had her own children Sue decided to run a playschool from their home and had a lot of fun doing that until the family put up a flag and said “Enough is enough!”  Their home was literally turning into a mini school and Sue knew it was time to make a change. She then taught at Kirstenhof Primary for a while and one day was offered a pre-school position at a school in Tokai called Pixie Playland. She thought it would be a lovely thing to do for a while but ended up staying for 15 years!

Grade 3 & 4

Tessa Abfalter Core teacher

Tessa grew up in Cape Town, matriculated at Westerford High and attended Barkly House Teachers Training College. She spent 23 years on the South Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal where she also raised her family. She taught at various schools and continued her educational studies. Her teaching experience includes all age groups from Pre-School to Grade 6, as well as teaching Art at a high school. She has gained experience in many curricula including the OBE, IPC and English National Curriculum. Tessa lived and worked in Kuwait, Austria, Germany and Libya.

Grade 5,6 & 7

Melissa Erikson Core teacher

Melissa was educated at Louisiana State University where she received her B.A. in History and English and then went on to study at Southeastern Louisiana State University to earn her certificate in education. She has recently immigrated to South Africa from the United States. She has previously taught grades 5 and 6, both regular and remediation, and has spent the last three years working with children from diverse backgrounds and needs.

Timothy Hoffman Co-teacher

Tim spent his primary school years in Swellendam. After matriculating at Fish Hoek Senior High School he spent two years doing his National Service after which he enrolled at UCT for a BA Degree.  He returned to his alma mater to teach English and Afrikaans. After teaching for nine years he decided to take a break and start a business in carpentry and joinery, but missed the interaction with staff and pupils. Tim is looking forward to the challenge of working in a Primary School environment and co-teaching Grades 3 - 7

Afrikaans

Tonia Koegelenberg

Tonia has been a qualified teacher for the past 19 years. She has worked as a primary school teacher in both London and South Africa in a variety of teaching positions ranging from grade 1 through to grade 6. She was engaged in a Montessori training programme just before she moved to Cape Town two years ago. She has worked in Inclusion Projects for pupils with severe learning difficulties who were being integrated into mainstream schools. She has just recently become a first time mom to Caitlin Jane Marais and believes education should be fun, challenging and empowering

Tanya Schickerling 

Tanya was a restaurant manager before studying full time and completing her Public Relations Diploma at False Bay College. She then spent eight years in financial departments of companies that deal in security and security systems. She was also manager of a private business until the owner decided to sell. Tanya has always been popular with children and became involved at Synergy when the Pre School needed an assistant. She was then appointed as Aftercare teacher as well as Assistant for the Pre 2&3 groups at Synergy School for 2011 and continues as Aftercare teacher in 2012. She wishes to study Early Childhood Development in the near future.

Administration

Annette Schickerling Secretary

Annette joined Synergy in January 2009. She has had varied interests through the years, has lived in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal before moving to Fish Hoek.  She has been involved at two NGO’s – Hospice and SARDA.  Annette has held administrative positions at three other schools, two primary and one high school. She became involved in the hospitality trade by managing a B&B for a friend, before taking up position as a manager at  a guest house where part of her role was to co-ordinate  conferences and weddings.

Ground staff

Mfuneko Macala

Mfuneko is one of the general assistants in charge of maintenance. He makes sure all the buildings and grounds are safe and in good order. In the mornings he stands at the gate, welcoming all kids. Engaging the children in Xhosa and English has made him well liked and easily approachable.

Nomzingis Noggala

When Nomzingi is not cleaning classrooms she takes her turn watching the playground when the children are outside.

Daniel Landingwe

Daniel is one of the general assistants that take care of maintenance. He looks after the buildings and grounds, making sure they are always in good order.

Xolile Gwayise

Xolile takes great pride in maintaining the front gardens as well as watching the parking lot. He is famous for his big smile.

Founder

Robin Booth

Robin is the founder of Synergy School and the Synergy Schooling Approach. Robin's passion, commitment and integrity are his well known traits and provide an excellent foundation from which Synergy School has emerged. As one of the first male pre-school teachers in South Africa, he is no stranger to pioneering new paradigms and helping shift perspectives and attitudes regarding child development. His work overseas has broadened his perspective of what is possible in the field of schooling and this is shown in the dynamic methodologies he has brought to Synergy School. In November 2010 he handed the organisational and financial responsibility over to a group of parents so that he could continue the development of this approach and how this could be used in any other school and parent environment. When needed, he still consults to Synergy School in their understanding of the Synergy Schooling Approach.