TEACHERS AND STAFF

Full Time Staff

John Gilmour - Principal
Bachelor of Arts, Higher Diploma in Education
John is the founder, principal and manager of the LEAP School. He has experience in teaching English, geography, history, business economics, and life orientation. He has been a part-time counsellor both at the adolescent unit at the Kenilworth Centre and at Wynberg Boys’ High School. He previously taught for five years at Abbott’s College (principal), ten years at Pinelands High School (deputy principal), and eight years at Bergvliet High School.

Bruce Kloot - Science Teacher
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Bruce is a science teacher at LEAP. He also co-ordinates the students' academic outings and manages the daily lunch program. Bruce is involved in abroad range of activities at LEAP and manages the Chess Club. Bruce began teaching science in 1999 at Pinelands High School.

Colleen Hodge - Accounting Teacher
Diploma in Commerce Education, Teaching Diploma
Colleen teaches accounting and business economics, as well as economic management science to the Grade 9 class. She is also responsible for managing the school's expenditure. Colleen has over twenty years of teaching experience in the subjects of accounting, business economics and economics. She taught at Camps Bay High School and more recently at Abbott's College, where she was head of grade.

Bill Chang - Computer Studies Teacher
Bachelor of Science Honours in Computers
Bill teaches all computer studies classes at LEAP. He is also responsible for network administration at the school, maintenance and repair of hardware and staff IT training. Bill designed the computerised administration system for LEAP. He taught computer studies at Abbott’s College and is currently completing his master’s degree.

Jenni Copeland - English Teacher
Medical Technology (Radiography)
Jenni teaches English at LEAP and is responsible for the development of the languages component of the Resource Centre. Jenni's other responsibilities include managing the library, co-ordinating the Saturday school and driving the recruitment process. Jenni began her career in education in 1992 by teaching English to second-language students at Pinelands High School.

Nomana Appolis - Xhosa Teacher
Bachelor of Arts, Higher Diploma in Education
Nomana is the Xhosa first language teacher for all students at LEAP. Her appointment to LEAP is her first full-time teaching post. Nomana has a particular interest in Xhosa literature.

Murray Gibbon - Maths Teacher
Bachelor of Science with Honours, Higher Diploma in Education
Murray co-ordinates and teaches maths at LEAP. He carries many areas of responsibility: Grade 12 administration; liaison with WCED; academic standards; teacher mentoring; and areas of social responsibility. Murray taught at Pinelands High School for many years, and more recently spent a year teaching in the UK.

Kim Drew - Maths Teacher
Science and Physiology Teacher Bachelor of Science with Honours
Kim teaches science and physiology at LEAP. She assists in the co-ordination of both these subjects. She is responsible for the co-ordination of classes on the campus and is involved in many of the school's activities. She has taught and co-ordinated science at Bergvliet High School and Westerford High School.

Tuksie Nkwint - Xhosa and Biology Teacher
Senior Teachers Diploma; Further Diploma in Education Management
Tuksie co-ordinates and teaches biology and Xhosa at LEAP. She covers many areas of responsibility: Grade 10 administration; parent liaison; and campus cleaning. Tuksie has taught biology and Xhosa in Grahamstown for many years. She is presently completing a B Tech degree through Pretoria University.

Diane Knott - PA to John Gilmour
Diane acts as personal assistant to John and as secretarial support to the LEAP staff. She is helping to establish good administration and communication systems at LEAP. Diane has worked as a secretary at The Grove Primary School and Abbott's College.

Part Time Staff

Gavin Larsen - Maths Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Maths, Teaching Diploma
Gavin teaches maths at LEAP for two thirds of the day and spends the other time working for Illumind on research and development of new teaching approaches and materials; the Illumind approaches are used at LEAP. Gavin taught maths at Pinelands High School for seven years. His particular interest and experience is in alternative and creative approaches to teaching maths.

Penny Dichmont - English Teacher
Bachelor of Arts, Higher Diploma in Education
Penny teaches five classes of English at LEAP. She also initiated and runs the 'Birding Club'. She has extensive teaching experience including teaching at Bishops, Westerford and Pinelands. Penny is also a writer of textbooks and is currently writing a novel.

Fozia Safodien - Life Orientation Co-ordinator
Qualified nurse, specific training in adolescent therapy
Fozia is responsible for the co-ordination of the life orientation program at LEAP. She is also responsible for the students' holiday programmes as well as all health and wellness issues at the school. Fozia has worked in hospitals and support units for many years. She worked at Avalon, an addiction hospital, and at the William Slater Adolescent Unit. Fozia was involved in initiating the adolescent unit at the Kenilworth Clinic.

Chantal Kamase - Reception
Trained as a clerk at Southern Life
Chantal is responsible for the LEAP front office and reception area. She is also responsible for record keeping and for managing the school’s petty cash. Chantal has a range of work experience, including eight years as a clerk at Southern Life.

Megan Davidson - Maths and Physiology Teacher
Bachelor of Science, Post Graduate Certificate in Education
Megan assists as a maths teacher and she helps to co-ordinate Saturday morning tutoring. She also lectures and tutors at TSiBA and teaches in the morning at the Africa Children's Choir. This is Megan's first year of teaching.

Richard Young - Science Teacher
Master of Science, Honours in Economics
Richard assists in a number of back up areas at LEAP. He has extensive experience in project development in various countries, including some in North Africa. His particular interest lies in community development projects with a strong environmental focus.

Christine Solik - Manager Resource Centre
Trained in office administration at Afrox
Christine assists in the collection and management of teacher resources at LEAP. She actively links with other schools to gain access to their resources for the use of the LEAP teacher resource centre.

Nicholas Exner - English and History
Bachelor of Arts
Nicholas is a volunteer teacher at LEAP. He has gained experience in many areas of school life. He is assisting directly in the areas of English and history.

Skye Fehlmann - Life Orientation
Skye works every day assisting in various capacities. He works closely with Fozia Safodien in the life orientation classes managing awareness exercises, teaching and modelling breathing and meditation techniques. He is studying psychology through UNISA while working at LEAP.

Craig Charnock - Life Orientation
Bachelor of Social Science with Double Majors in Psychology and Film Studies
Craig is a volunteer teacher at LEAP. He works every day assisting in various capacities. He works closely with Fozia Safodien in the life orientation classes.

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