Meet our Staff
Marietjie Otto
Grade 1 Teacher & Head of Department
I am Marietjie Otto and I’ve always had a passion to teach, coming from a generation of teachers. I’ve taught and coached since 2004 as sports are right up my alley too. I’m now a mommy of a little boy, who keeps me on my toes. I strongly believe in the value and benefit of teaching children how to think for themselves. School simply has to be fun, an adventure into the world of learning!I am one of the Grade 1 teachers and see this as an important foundation for a successful school career. I’ve been part of the Valbonne family since 2017 and feel privilege to lead an incredible team of teachers.
Marli Olivier
Grade 1 Teacher
I am Marli Olivier. I am a wife, sister, aunt and mom of two beautiful little girls(and a fur baby).I have been teaching for over a decade and have been at Valbonne College since 2021, teaching Foundation Phase.I have a passion for teaching and inspiring learners to believe in themselves no matter what. I look forward to each year filled with new adventures. My hobbies are photography and making memories with family and friends.
Lauren Illgner
Grade 2 Teacher
I am Lauren Illgner. I am a wife and mother to 2 beautiful young children. I have a deep passion for enriching childrens lives. I have been teaching for over a decade in both the ECD & Foundation Phase sectors. I am a wildlife enthusiast & enjoy spending time in nature. I love being active & swam provincially in the past. I now thoroughly enjoy coaching swimming and netball at Valbonne College.
Roxanne Marlborough
Grade 2 Teacher
I am Roxanne Marlborough. I am happily married, and I have two children. I joined the Valbonne College team in 2022. I currently teach grade 2, and I’m loving it! I really enjoy the inquisitive age and innocence of foundation phase children. I am passionate about investing in young children’s development and education, as well as helping them nurture their unique personalities. My hobbies include baking and anything creative.
“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”
Candice Nareen
Grade 3 Teacher
My name is Candice Nareen and I am married to an amazing husband. I have been teaching in various roles since 2016 and joined Valbonne in 2021. I am passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives while ensuring that learning is fun, creative and relevant. I firmly stand by Benjamin Franklins words “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”.
I studied a bachelor of Education at Wits University and majored in isiZulu. I majored in this because I want to make learning a South African language more accessible and simplified no matter your background or age.
I am an extremely family-orientated person and love to spend time with my young nieces and nephews. I spend a lot of my spare time at church, volunteering in the youth and young adults ministry alongside my husband.
Mary-Ann Wilkinson
Grade 4 Teacher
I am Mary-Ann Wilkinson. I am a wife and mother of two teenagers. My home is a bit of a zoo with 2 dogs, 5 cats and too many hamsters too mention. I have been at Valbonne College since 2019 and teach Intermediate phase specifically Natural Science and Technology and Afrikaans. For me teaching is not only about the imparting of knowledge in the subjects I teach. It is more about the skill set they acquire through doing that subject that will help them going forward in life. Facts can be Googled. The ability to think for yourself, experiment and learn through experience and participation can’t.
Tania Stratton
Grade 5 Teacher
I am a wife, mother of two boys and a daughter, sister and aunt to 4 nieces and nephews. After completing matric, I decided to venture forth and follow a career in science. I studied a B.Sc. Pharmacy at the University of Port Elizabeth. Within my first year I soon realised that this was not the correct career choice for me. I subsequently decided on a completely different career path that took me into the field of education. I wanted to join the teaching profession and so proceeded to study towards a Bachelor’s degree in Senior Primary Education. I qualified four years later from the University of Port Elizabeth. I can truly say that this change in career was one of the better life choices I have made. I have been teaching for over twenty years and have never questioned my role in the educating of our youth of South Africa. I love educating and spending my day with the children. The children I teach provide my life with a wonderful sense of purpose and a great amount of joy and love. I couldn’t imagine my life without these amazing young beings being a part of it.
In the limited free time I do have, I enjoy reading and socialising with friends and family.
Alicia Sheppard
Grade 6 Teacher
I am Alicia Sheppard. I am a wife, mother of two girls, sister, aunt to sixteen nieces and nephews, and have two cats at home. I changed careers and joined the teaching profession, after years of working in the IT corporate space, and I am loving the decision I made every day! I am an intermediate phase teacher and really enjoy connecting with the students, grappling with their tough and interesting questions, all the while getting them to solve problems independently. Outside of school I enjoy cooking, baking, reading, and hanging out with friends and family.
Cliff Musamba
Bible study & Robotics
I am Cliff Musamba. I have been at Valbonne since 2016. I teach Bible Study, Robotics and Heart of a Champion (our Character Education curriculum). I am interested in making sure that our school does not just build good students but works with parents to build good people as well. In my classes, I help our children to connect the dots between what they are learning in school and how it applies to the outside world. I am married to Julia and we have two boys who are both at Valbonne College. Outside school, I enjoy walking, I am a Liverpool fan and enjoy watching baseball and Shark Tank.
Cara Helm
Homework Squad
I am Cara Helm, I am a daughter, sister, student and friend to everyone I encounter. I am in my second year of studies to become a foundation phase teacher. This is my first year working at Valbonne College as the homework teacher. It is my biggest dream to become a qualified teacher and be able to make a difference in children’s lives. Working with children brightens up my life as their energy and excitement for life is just intoxicating so being able to match their energy and create a love for learning in them will be my biggest goal. My hobbies are reading, hiking and running.
Mandy
Aftercare
I am Mandy Pretorius. I am a passionate Teacher who has been teaching for 13 years. I am working and studying at the moment to complete my degree in foundation phase. I start my day off by working at Buttercup in the mornings followed by doing aftercare at Valbonne College in the afternoons.
In my free time I like to climb on a bike, do hikes and read a book.
Student-&Teacher-support
I am Annelize Byrne. I am a wife and mom of a 19 year old daughter heading off to varsity (already). I have a passion for helping and encouraging children that need extra assistance with school work. I work as learner support at Valbonne College. From giving extra support to students in need to reading with foundation phase learners and playground injuries. I love what I do and being part of the Valbonne College family.
Gillian Pope
Office Administrator
My name is Gillian Pope. I’m a wife, mother to a 19 year old son and a sister to two brothers. I spent 6 years at a British International School in Kuwait and on my return did a term at the school in 2018. In January 2020 I joined Valbonne as the school administrator and as a substitute teacher but the children love me as the Friday tuckshop lady. I love travel, camping and spending time with my family, fur kidz and friends.
Khosi Tshuma
Tuckshop & Transpot
My name is Khosi Tshuma. I am a wife and a mother of 2 beautiful girls. Valbonne College has been my family since day one. I am the face behind the library, the Wednesday tuckshop and our Valbonne transport club. My every day priority is making sure your children are safe, well fed and happy.
Coach Patrick & Coach Liam
P.E
Issabelle, Nellie, Nosipho & Maureen
Support Staff
Lucky
Security Guard