About

Our Mission & Vision Statement

Vision Statement:

It is the duty of every educator to inspire in every child, in a positive and nurturing environment, the motivation to succeed to his or her full potential. There must be an unconditional acceptance of the child and the educator must, at all times, be mindful of his or her immense responsibility.

Mission Statement:

To provide the pupils of Tom Newby School with the best possible academic, cultural, sporting and social conditions to ensure that they develop to their maximum potential.

To create learners who:

To create adults who:

departments

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Tom Newby School has a proud tradition of music education that includes choirs, marimba bands and instrumental ensembles.  Music education has three components: General music appreciation, Music Maestro and Extra-curricular activities.

THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT

A wide range of sport activities are on offer at Tom Newby School.  We believe that participation in sport helps our learners to adopt healthy and active lifestyles and develop good social skills. 

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

Tom Newby School’s reputation as an exceptional academic institution is undisputed.  Learners from our school make a seamless transition from primary to secondary education and their Matric results are testament to the solid foundation that was laid in their primary school years.

SOCIAL SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Children learn best when they feel safe, appreciated and confident.  To this end, Tom Newby School has various activities and programmes that ensure the best possible social conditions exist for learners to reach their full potential.

Safety and security

The safety and security of learners and staff is of paramount importance. 

 

The following safety and security measures exist to support this commitment to safety and security:
  • The school tuck shop is managed by a cashless payment system called Tap Tuck.
  • Cash payments are not accepted by the accounts department – school fee and function payments must be made electronically.
  • Visitor access to the school is controlled by a security guard and monitored by CCTV.
  • An extensive CCTV system monitors classrooms and other key areas.
  • Emergency fire equipment is regularly serviced and inspected.
  • Evacuation drills are regularly undertaken.
  • Key personnel are trained in fire safety and basic first aid.
  • A private security company is on 24-hour standby for security and medical emergencies.
  • A biometric security system monitors and controls learner and staff access to the school grounds.

History

Tom Newby School has been serving the educational needs of children in the Benoni area since 1951. It has been voted Star School of the Year and its educators consistently place in the top 5% of educators in the National Teacher Awards.

 

Tom Newby School began its life as an educational institution, in 1950, under the name Northmead English Medium School. Construction of a school building to provide for 12 classrooms, an art room, administrative wing and ablutions was completed on 13 December 1950.

TNS History
Mr Vermeulen

The school opened on 12 January, 1951, with an enrolment of 556 pupils and 12 teachers, under the leadership of Mr AJ Vermeulen, the school Principal.

 

In April 1951, Northmead English Medium School was officially renamed after the then Mayor of Benoni – Tom Newby. The school year ended in December 1951 with an enrolment of 650 pupils.

 

The school hall, constructed in 1954, was a financial collaboration between the Department of Education and the parents of the school. The pupil enrolment at the end of 1954 was 752.

 

Mr Vermeulen retired in December 1959, and leadership of Tom Newby School was passed on to Mr MJ Gildenhuys.

In a school inspection in 1961, the report read: A spirit of good-will prevails in the school. One is impressed by the personal neatness and politeness of the children and their commitment to learning from their teachers. Thankfully, this spirit has prevailed and the same can still be said of Tom Newby School today.

 

Mr Gildenhuys handed the leadership reins to Mr Burger at the end of 1971, and the school year commenced in 1972 with an enrolment of 1 050 pupils and 35 teachers. Mr Burger led the Tom Newby Team until 1983, after which time, Mr G Manolios, was appointed as Principal.

Under Mr Manolios’ leadership, Tom Newby School acquired additional land and a Private Grade 0 and Nursery school was opened under the mantle of the Tom Newby Trust. A swimming pool was built in 1987 and, in 1989, a new media centre was unveiled. This media centre still stands – it remains a unique and envy-worthy information centre. Mr Manolios, ever cognizant of the importance of keeping education abreast of world developments, commissioned the construction of a computer centre in the early 1990s so that all Tom Newby School learners could be equipped with the Information Technology skills they would need to deal with computerised workspaces in their post-school lives.

 

This commitment to infrastructural improvement and technological development has been continued by Miss GL Mynhardt who was appointed as Principal in 2007, after Mr Manolios’ retirement.

Miss Mynhardt has more than 28 years of experience in education and has three Degrees, as well as two Post Graduate Certificates in Education and Educational Management. Her approach to education is embedded in constructivist theory, and behaviour management is accomplished through assertive discipline techniques. This ideological framework is founded on the assumption that people learn from each other. To this end, learners are not streamed or differentiated according to academic ability – education is undertaken in mixed ability main stream classes and support is provided through individual and group intervention programmes.

 

Miss Mynhardt is progressive and holistic in her approach to education and the teaching team that supports her leadership recognises that this trait manifests itself in constantly striving to find more effective ways to educate and learn, both in the classroom and through extra-curricular activities. As a result, Miss Mynhardt, the Management Team and Educators at Tom Newby School are supportive of new programmes and changes to procedures – where the possibility exists that such change could result in a higher standard of education.

 

Having been an educator for 24 years, Miss Mynhardt understands that the most important resource in a classroom is the teacher and that high ratios of student to teacher tend to have a detrimental effect on the learning process. For this reason, she prefers to have between 20 and 30 learners per class, depending on the age of the learners being taught.

 

Foundation Phase ratios are lower than those in the higher Grades in order to support the learning process in its formative stages and ensure that individual attention can be given to children when required.

 

Miss Mynhardt also believes strongly that children learn better in an aesthetically pleasing teaching and learning environment. The School Governing Body supports this belief and ensures that funds to improve classroom and school grounds visual appeal are made available. In the time that she has led the team at Tom Newby School, the Southern Playground has been upgraded and stands have been erected at the school swimming pool and sports field. All cloakrooms have been refurbished and plans are underway to do the same for the swimming pool cloakrooms. A fully equipped Music Centre has been erected and two new classrooms have been built. The reception area, central quad and Foundation Phase wildlife garden have been upgraded and outdoor rubberised surfacing has been laid in the Grade 0 Play area. Interactive projectors have been installed in 15 classrooms and the Grade 5, 6 and 7 learners have made the transition from textbooks to tablets.

 

Tom Newby School is a Section 21 School with an effective Governing Body that is committed to providing an outstanding education at affordable fees. The school governors ensure that financial resources are effectively used to support the school’s mission statement:

 

To provide the pupils of Tom Newby School with the best possible academic, cultural, sporting and social conditions to ensure their development to their maximum potential.

Meet the team

School Management Team

Name: Miss Mynhardt
Title: Principal
Quote: It is better to light a candle than to shout at the darkness.
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Favourite Book: Pillars of the Earth
Favourite Music: Eighties Pop
Qualifications: Master of Education
Years’ experience: 31

Name: Mr de Bruyn
Title: Deputy Principal
Quote: We all have two lives. The second one starts when we realise we only have one.
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Book: Magician by Raymond E Feist
Favourite Music: 80’s Rock
Qualifications: B.Ed FET
Years’ experience: 16

Name: Mrs Landers
Title: HOD Foundation Phase
Quote: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Favourite Sport: Dancing & Gymnastics
Favourite Book: Nightingale by Kristen Hannah and Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers
Favourite Music: Pop/80’s music
Qualifications: H.Dip Education
Years’ experience: 33

Name: Mrs A. Singh
Title: HOD
Quote: With love and patience, nothing is impossible.
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Favourite Book: The Sorceress: The Secrets of Nicholas Flamel
Favourite Music: All genres
Qualifications: BA & PGCE
Years’ experience: 20

Name: Mrs Steyn
Title: HOD
Quote: Always be kind
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: Any good book is a favourite book
Favourite Music: Imagine Dragons & Spoegwolf
Qualifications: B.Ed IP in Learner Support and B.Ed Honours Learner Support
Years’ experience: 11

Name: Mrs Fourie
Title: HOD
Quote: Live your life with love, laughter and faith
Favourite Sport: Athletics, rugby and cricket
Favourite Book: Harry Potter Books
Favourite Music: Afrikaans and Country
Qualifications: BHED and Remedial Diploma in Child Psychology
Years’ experience: 30

Grade 1 Teachers

Name: Mrs van den Berg
Title: Grade 1 Educator
Quote: Believe you can and you’re halfway there – Theodore Roosevelt
Favourite Sport: Hockey
Favourite Book: Nineteen Minute by Jodi Picoult
Favourite Music: Alternative
Qualifications: B.Ed ECD & FP
Years’ experience: 11

Name: Mrs Vamvakas
Title: Grade 1 Educator
Quote: What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly? -e.h.-
Favourite Sport: Yoga and hiking
Favourite Book: Gypsy by Lesley Pearse
Favourite Music: Dance music
Qualifications: B.Ed ECD & FP
Years’ experience: 5

Name: Mrs Stoop
Title: Grade 1 Educator
Quote: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel – Maya Angelou
Favourite Sport: Baseball and cricket
Favourite Book: The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Favourite Music: Alternative/Indie
Qualifications: B.Ed FP and Advanced Diploma in Remedial Education
Years’ experience: 6

Name: Miss McCallum
Title: Grade 1 Educator
Quote: Be a city on a hill – a bright light and safe space for those who need it.
Favourite Sport: Athletics or netball
Favourite Book: Mark of the Lion by Francine Rivers
Favourite Music: Christian mainly, but any music works for me!
Qualifications: B.Ed FP
Years’ experience: 1

Grade 2 Teachers

Name: Mrs Lubbe
Title: Grade 2 Educator
Quote: A word wisely spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver – Proverbs 25:11
Favourite Sport: Figure skating
Favourite Book: The Bible
Favourite Music: Courage by Celine Dion
Qualifications: B Prim Ed
Years’ experience: 25

Name: Miss McSweeney
Title: Grade 2 Educator
Quote: Everything happens for a reason
Favourite Sport: Hockey & gymnastics
Favourite Book: The Elephant Whisperer
Favourite Music: Pop
Qualifications: B. Ed FP Honours in Learning Support
Years’ experience: 1

Name: Mrs Benade
Title: Grade 2 Educator
Quote: This too shall pass
Favourite Sport: Cricket and gymnastics
Favourite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Favourite Music: 80’s
Qualifications: B Prim Ed
Years’ experience: 34

Name: Mrs van Aswegen
Title: Grade 2 Educator
Quote: What is coming is better than what’s gone
Favourite Sport: Athletics and golf
Favourite Book: The 5am Club
Favourite Music: Ed Sheeran
Qualifications: B. Ed
Years’ experience: 4

Grade 3 Teachers

Name: Miss Matthysen
Title: Grade 3 Educator
Quote: Wherever you are, be all there – Jim Elliot
Favourite Sport: Horse riding
Favourite Book: A Horse called Hero
Favourite Music: Gospel music
Qualifications: Montessori Diploma & B. Ed FP
Years’ experience: 2

Name: Mrs Graham
Title: Grade 3 Educator
Quote: Shine, dream, smile. & I’m not old, I’m 60 years of awesome!
Favourite Book: The Seven Sisters Set by Lucinda Riley
Favourite Music: 80’s and BTS
Qualifications: H Dip Ed
Years’ experience: 38

Name: Mrs Goldsworthy
Title: Grade 3 Educator
Quote: Always do your best
Favourite Book: Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers
Favourite Music: ColdPlay, praise and worship
Qualifications: B. Ed Honours Learning Support
Years’ experience: 14

Name: Miss Pottinger
Title: Grade 3 Educator
Quote: The meaning of life is to give life meaning
Favourite Sport: Not a sport fan
Favourite Book: The Power of Now
Favourite Music: All music
Qualifications: B. Ed FP
Years’ experience: 1

Grade 4 Teachers

Name: Mrs L. Theron
Title: Grade 4 Educator
Quote: Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: Kringe in die Bos – Dalene Matthee
Favourite Music: Gospel
Qualifications: B. Ed Intermediate & Senior Phase
Years’ experience: 10+

Name: Mrs C. Theron
Title: Grade 4 Educator
Quote: Life is too short for unkindness and unforgiveness
Favourite Sport: Gymnastics
Favourite Book: Rosie is my Relative
Favourite Music: Christian
Qualifications: HDE
Years’ experience: 34

Name: Mrs Frame
Title: Grade 4 Educator
Quote: What good are wings, without the courage to fly – Atticus
Favourite Sport: Hockey
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Music: Absolutely anything that helps me relax
Qualifications: B. Ed Intermediate & Senior Phase
Years’ experience: 3 years teaching, 7 including internship

Name: Miss Mpesu
Title: Grade 4 Educator
Quote: Not my will Lord
Favourite Sport: Netball
Qualifications: BEDH

Name: Miss Miss Moodley
Title: Grade 4 Educator

Grade 5 Teachers

Name: Mrs Y Singh
Title: Grade 5 Educator
Quote: Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m possible”.
Favourite Sport: Swimming
Favourite Book: Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens
Favourite Music: All Genres
Qualifications: B. Ed
Years’ experience: 7

Name: Miss Seedat
Title: Grade 5 Educator
Quote: After ever hardship comes ease 94:6
Favourite Sport: Weight lifting
Favourite Book: Think like a monk – Jay Shetty

Name: Mrs Brits
Title: Grade 5 Educator
Quote: God help me to change what I can, accept what I can’t, please give me the wisdom to know the difference.
Favourite Sport: Swimming
Favourite Book: Anything by Jo Nesbo
Favourite Music: Classical
Years’ experience: 23

Grade 6 Teachers

Name: Miss Ratering
Title: Grade 6 Educator
Quote: You reap what you sow
Favourite Sport: Gym
Favourite Book: The Shack
Favourite Music: 80’s
Years’ experience: 29

Name: Miss Barnes
Title: Grade 6 Educator
Quote: Good days give happiness. Bad days give experience. Worst days give lessons. Best days give memories.
Favourite Sport: Swimming and Motorsport
Favourite Book: Any crime or forensic novel
Favourite Music: Pop through the ages
Qualifications: B. Ed Intermediate Phase and B. Ed Honours in learning support
Years’ experience: 3

Name: Miss van der Walt
Title: Grade 6 Educator
Quote: When you focus on the good, the good gets better
Favourite Sport: Volleyball and swimming
Favourite Book: To kill a Mockingbird
Favourite Music: Rock / Pop early 2000’s
Qualifications: B. Ed Intermediate and Senior Phase
Years’ experience: 2

Name: Mrs P. Singh
Title: Grade 6 Educator
Quote: You never fail until you stop trying.
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Years’ experience: 22

Name: Mrs Hawkes
Title: Grade 6 Educator
Quote: Do unto others as you want done to yourself.
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Favourite Book: Matilda
Favourite Music: Golden Oldies
Qualifications: HDE Junior and Special Ed.
Years’ experience: 35

Name: Miss Els
Title: Grade 6 Educator
Quote: Do your best and God will do the rest!
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: Kringe in ‘n Bos
Favourite Music: Afrikaans
Qualifications: BEd
Years’ experience: 9

Grade 7 Teachers

Name: Miss van Coppenhagen
Title: Grade 7 Educator
Quote: Wherever you are, be totally there.
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle
Favourite Music: Pop
Qualifications: B.Ed Hons
Years’ experience: 13

Name: Mr Jagger
Title: Grade 7 Educator
Quote: You cannot conquer, something you do not confront.
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Book: The subtle art of not giving a “damn”
Favourite Music: Multiple genres
Qualifications: BA Sport Psychology & PGCE (FET & Senior Phase)
Years’ experience: 6

Name: Miss Britten
Title: Grade 7 Educator
Quote: Just be who God made you to be.
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: Divergent Series
Favourite Music: Pop and Country
Qualifications: B.Ed intermediate and senior phase
Years’ experience: 1

Additional Staff

Name: Mrs de Vrije
Title: Computer Teacher
Quote: Never give up
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Book: Harry Potter
Favourite Music: Metal
Qualifications: NQF Level 3, Computers Word & Excel
Years’ experience: 23

Name: Miss Smit
Title: Educational Psychologist
Quote: How awesome is it that the God who created the sun, the stars and seas felt that the world needed you to!
Favourite Sport: Jogging & watching rugby
Favourite Book: Tell me your dreams – Sydney Sheldon
Favourite Music: Almost anything on the radio
Qualifications: B. Ed (FET) General, B.Ed (Hons) Ed Psych, M. Ed Educational Psychology
Years’ experience: 2 years as a teacher, newbie as a psychologist

Name: Mrs Borsattino
Title: Learner Support
Quote: Live one day at a time
Favourite Book: The Power of Intention
Qualifications: BA, HED, DSE (Rem)
Years’ experience: 49

Sports Department

Name: Ms Sfiokela
Title: Sports Coach
Quote: Trust the timing of your life
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: The Lifeboat – Charlotte Rogan
Favourite Music: Gospel & RnB
Qualifications: N5 Mechanical Engineering
Years’ experience: 2 years

Name: Miss Obisi
Title: Sports Coach
Quote: The purpose of our lives is to be happy
Favourite Sport: Athletics and netball
Favourite Book: Spiritual books
Favourite Music: R&B
Qualifications: Honours Sports Development and PGCE FET
Years’ experience: 1

Name: Mr Molefe
Title: Sports Coach
Quote: If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Music: R&B/Soul
Qualifications: National Diploma in Management

Name: Mr Radebe
Title: Head of Sport
Quote: Go Hard or Go Home
Favourite Sport: Athletics
Favourite Book: The book of life
Favourite Music: Anything good
Qualifications: Sports Admin CAF C licence (soccer), ASA level 1 coach (athletics), IRB level II (rugby) SAFA level iii referee (soccer)
Years’ experience: 12

Name: Miss Wilke
Title: Sports Coach
Quote: You have got this, just do it.
Favourite Sport: Anything outdoors & mountain biking
Favourite Book: Bible
Favourite Music: Afrikaans
Qualifications: B. Ed Teaching
Years’ experience: 5 years

Name: Miss McNeill
Title: Sports Coach
Quote: Don’t let you fear decide your fate.
Favourite Sport: Squash, softball and hiking
Favourite Book: David Baldacci – Book Series
Favourite Music: Daughtry, Elderbook, The Script, Halsey, Pink
Qualifications: BA Honours Biokinetics, sports conditioning
Years’ experience: 6 years

Educator’s Assistants

Name: Miss Letoaba
Title: EA
Quote: Good things come to those who wait up
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: Crazy Faith by Michael Todd
Favourite Music: RnB/Gospel/old skool/soul/jazz

Name: Miss Ralutanda
Title: EA
Quote: Confidence, if you have it, you make anything look good.
Favourite Sport: Softball
Favourite Book: Five feet apart
Favourite Music: Afrobeat/gospel
Qualifications: 2nd year in B.Ed
Years’ experience: 3

Name: Mrs Ndamane
Title: EA
Quote: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel – Maya Angelou
Favourite Sport: Basketball
Favourite Book: The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel
Favourite Music: Hip Hop and Rock music
Qualifications: N5 Certificate in Civil Engineering, Currently studying B.Ed senior and FET phase.
Years’ experience: 12

Name: Miss Mokone
Title: EA
Quote: Check your priorities when it comes to how you are choosing to live your life.
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Book: The Man from Nowhere
Favourite Music: Soul music
Years’ experience: 3

Name: Miss Shabalala
Title: EA
Quote: There comes a day when you’re gonna look around and realize happiness is where you are. Chief Tui – Moana
Favourite Sport: Netball
Favourite Book: Honey and Spice
Favourite Music: Alternative RnB
Qualifications: Currently studying a B.Ed FP
Years’ experience: 2

Administration

Name: Mrs Lopes
Title: Office Administrator
Quote: Dream big, be grateful, give love, laugh lots!
Favourite Sport: Cycling
Favourite Book: Becoming – Michelle Obama
Favourite Music: Pop & Rock
Qualifications: Diploma in Hotel Management
Years’ experience: 10

Name: Mrs C. Williams
Title: Finance
Quote: Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll still land amongst the stars.
Favourite Sport: Equestrian
Favourite Book: The Seven Sisters Series
Favourite Music: 80’s

Name: Mrs B. Wilkes
Title: Office Administrator
Quote: Don’t see the problem – find a solution.
Favourite Sport: Swimming
Favourite Book: The road less travelled
Favourite Music: Eclectic
Qualifications: Life
Years’ experience: 50 years

Name: Mrs M. Williams
Title: Office Administrator
Quote: I just live one day at a time
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Favourite Book: The Awakening – Nora Roberts
Favourite Music: All types of music

Name: Mrs Croucamp
Title: PA to the principal
Favourite Sport: Gymnastics & Dancing
Favourite Book: Too many to mention
Qualifications: Personal Assistant
Years’ experience: Numerous years – might give my age away 😉

General Staff

Name: Mrs Joubert
Title: Garden Supervisor
Quote: Tomorrow never comes
Favourite Sport: Watching Rugby
Favourite Book: Kringe in die bos
Favourite Music: Instrumental music & jazz
Qualifications: Bookkeeping, Landscaping, NHBRC builder
Years’ experience: 40

Name: Mr Mdluli
Title: Security
Quote: All good things come to those who stay true.
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Favourite Book: Art of War by Sun Tzu
Favourite Music: Deep House
Qualifications: Business Management (N5)
Years’ experience: 4