About us
Welcome from our principal
As Principal, it is my privilege to welcome you to our special school community. Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a community where children, families, and staff work together in a spirit of respect, kindness, and belonging.
We believe that childhood is a time to be nurtured, inspired, and celebrated, and we are committed to providing a warm, supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to grow. We focus on developing the whole child — academically, socially, and emotionally — through meaningful learning experiences, caring relationships, and opportunities to explore, discover, and build confidence.
I am proud of the joyful atmosphere within our school and the dedication of our team, and I look forward to partnering with you as we support your child on their learning journey.
Meet our team
The children are cared for and supervised by Glenridge’s highly qualified and dedicated teaching and support staff throughout the day.
Our teachers are an important part of Glenridge’s success as they are not only responsible for educating curious minds, but they are also responsible for providing warmth, love, safety and security.
Our support staff, many of whom have been around for decades, could be considered the cornerstone of the school we are very thankful for the way in which they serve both the teaching staff and most importantly the children.
Our staff
Mrs Irmarie Van der Westhuizen
Principal
Mrs Shirleen Ward
Secretary
Mrs Lynne Hauptfleisch
Bursar
Mrs Claude Pillai
Teacher
Ms Kayla Julie
Teacher
Ms Asanda Bantubani
Teacher
Mrs Silindile Malinga
Support staff
Mr Nlanhla Mabaso
Support staff
Ms Zodwa Mthembu
Assistant
Ms Lungisile Msomi
Assistant
Ms Makhosi Miya
Aftercare
Our history
Glenridge’s history is a rich and intrinsic part of early education in Durban. It began in 1950 as a small playgroup running three mornings a week. It originally shared premises with the Meyrick Bennett Child Guidance centre in the 120 year old Bennett family homestead.
The school started with four to six children, ably looked after by Miss Eunice Webb. Parent involvement has always been a cornerstone of the school’s success, and this was as true then as today, with parents volunteering assistance. Glenridge Nursery School, so named because it was in Glenwood and on the ridge, was officially registered with the Natal Education Department in July 1951, with an early enrolment of 16 pupils. School fees were a staggering £6 per quarter!
As the school grew to 37 pupils by 1960, so too did its need for an alternative, permanent and appropriate school facility. As a result of extensive fundraising the new school went up on land purchased in 1983 for R11 800. The building was designed free of charge by Arthur Skordis, and constructed by Alexander Hamilton Pty Ltd. Occupation took place on the 11 January, even before the floors had been laid, or the property secured with a fence. However, by the time the school welcomed its first scholars on 15 January 1986, the building, with the floors and a fence, was intact.
This spirit of co-operation, and never-say-die attitude is a hallmark of Glenridge, with teachers, pupils and parents always willing to go the extra hard yard. The then Director of Education, Mr W Van Rooyen opened the school on the 5 May 1998, and since then Glenridge has enjoyed full enrolment, and a growing reputation as one the best Pre-Primary Schools in Durban.
Our mission statement
At Glenridge Pre-Primary we hold fast to the belief that Education is for Life.
We are committed to:
Providing a child-centred approach to early childhood education which is directed towards the realisation of the individual potential of each child.
Ensuring optimal social, emotional, physical and academic development of learners through the employment of committed and well trained educators and the involvement of parents, families and the community in all aspects of the child’s development and school life.
Offering a friendly, supportive, caring atmosphere, within which parents and educators operate as partners in engendering a sense of stability and security in the children which will lay a firm foundation for their later development into effective and responsible adults.
Promoting tolerance, respect and understanding of the diverse values, cultures and beliefs, which form part of South African society and the school community.
Guaranteeing a well-managed and financially sustainable organisation which is committed to accountability and transparency.
Our social commitment
Charities
Each term we support a local charity, relevant to the children’s frame of reference.
This helps develop in our children an outward focus of care beyond themselves – a sense of social responsibility.
Some recent donations went to:
CHOC for Flip Flop Day
CHOC is a non-profit organisation that advocates for the health and well-being of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their families.
Our children donate R10, receive a sticker and wear their flip-flops on flip-flop day.
LEARN for World Book Day
The LEARN Project is a South African non-profit trust that reaches out to schools and children in need.
Their goal is to equip these schools with reading books and to create sustainable libraries and classroom book corners.
We help support by collecting pre-loved books for donation.
REACH FOR A DREAM for Slipper Day
Their dream is to make a memorable difference in the life of a child fighting a life-threatening illness by making their dream come true.
Our children donate R20, receive a sticker and wear their slippers on slipper day.
ST. MARTIN'S CHILDRENS HOME for Everyday Hero's Day
An everyday hero is a real life person who helps others in their community and not a Super Hero.
The funds raised are used for essential services and items needed desperately by the Home in order to run their day-to-day activities.
Our children donate R10, receive a sticker and get to dress up as their ‘Everyday Hero’.
SANTA SHOEBOX PROJECT
Each year, during the Christmas season, shoeboxes are distributed to underprivileged children attending more than 1000 educational care facilities.
This is a wonderful initiative that not only gives but teaches our children about the blessing of giving.
Our children donate either an item toward a box or the whole box.
Environmental awareness
“We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.” – Margaret Mead
From the lovely indigenous grounds to the anti-waste activites and recycling initiatives, Glenridge Pre-Primary helps our children understand our environment; how it affects us and our responsibility towards it. We feel that a continued awareness and celebration of environmental observances establishes an understanding of global citizenship and our trust is that our children will take these lessons and live lives caring for and sustaining our planet.
Recycling and anti-waste
At Glenridge, we often discuss not littering or polluting the air and rivers and encourage children to help keep their immediate environment clean.
If you are already a parent at our school, no doubt one of the phrases you will hear most from your child is ‘REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE’.
We encourage our community to collect anti-waste, i.e. small packaging boxes, yoghurt tubs, toilet rolls, etc and then use these usable items for box construction in the classroom.
Recyclable paper is used for painting and drawing.
Items that can’t be reused in our classrooms, such as plastic cool drink/milk bottles, cans, glass, or paper, can be placed directly into the recycle bins in our car park.
Once a year, Glenridge facilitates an e-waste collection (any small electronic appliances/pc components/tablets, old alarm/garage door batteries, wiring/cables, etc), which are disposed of in a responsible, eco-friendly manner. We encourage friends and family to contribute to the collection as well.
This initiative coincides with International E-waste Day (E-waste collection week), which is traditionally observed in October.
Every little action adds up! Let’s look after our Earth and Environment.
Environmental awareness
Each year we choose an environmental dates that create an awareness of either an environment topic or species.
These awareness days highlight biodiversity, with the aim of increasing understanding and appreciation of the subject by our children.
Each day presents a wonderful opportunity for us to teach our children in a fun, interactive way about the planet they live on and how and why they need to care for it.
