PRINCIPAL & GRADE R TEACHER
Qualifications: Diploma Educare/ECD; Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase
Joined La Gratitude in: 2007
Fun fact: Samantha loves to sing and is a member of her church’s worship team
Samantha discovered her passion for teaching younger children in High School, as a church volunteer. After school, she started to study towards a Diploma in Educare, and started working at a small nursery school in Pinelands. Wanting to further her education after her Diploma was completed, she decided to pursue a degree, and started her journey at La Gratitude as Teacher Assistant. Over the years she has also held the positions of Aftercare Supervisor, relief Secretary, Grade Pre R teacher, and now Grade R teacher and Principal.
Samantha is happily married to Matthew, and they have one son, Sipho.
GRADE PRE-R TEACHER
Qualification: REQV Diploma Foundation Phase
Joined La Gratitude in: 2016
Fun Fact: In her spare time, Alvina volunteers at a children’s home
Although Alvina has always had a love for children, she was initially bitten by the travel bug, and studied towards a career in Travel and Tourism. After completing her studies and spending some time au pairing abroad, her original enthusiasm for children and education took hold, and she became a tutor and special needs facilitator at Reach for Autism SA in 2010. In 2017 Alvina started her studies towards her Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase degree, and in the same year became La Gratitude’s Teacher Assistant. Alvina qualifies with her degree this year, and has taken over as teacher of the Pre Grade R class since
July 2021.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Joined La Gratitude in: 2012
Fun Fact: Celeste has a passion for arts and crafts and is often seen with a crotchet needle and wool in hand.
After working as a town planners' Personal Administrative Assistant for 6 years, Celeste decided to take on a much harder position...that of a stay-at-home Mom to her two children. When your youngest, Faith, was a learner at La Gratitude in 2012, the Admin Assistant position became available here, and Celeste made the decision to move back into the workforce. Celeste thoroughly enjoys any time she can have with her extensive family, including husband Mark, two children, one step-daughter, step son-in-law and her gorgeous grandson.
CLEANER / TEACHER ASSISTANT
Joined La Gratitude in: 2001
Fun Fact: Vuyiswa sings in her church choir
Vuyiswa began her career many years ago in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town. In 2001, she accepted the cleaner / teacher assistant post at La Gratitude and found her niche. Vuyiswa enjoys many aspects of her job at La Gratitude, including joining in with singing, and spending time chatting or playing with the children. In her free time, Vuyiswa loves to read, or relax with a good cup of tea and a Wordsearch puzzle.
Vuyiswa also values time with her family, particularly her 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
AFTERCARE SUPERVISOR
Joined La Gratitude in: 2003 & 2015
Fun Fact: Belinda is a qualified swimming instructor and a level 5 TEFL teacher.
Belinda has been working with children since 1995 and in 2003 started her career at La Gratitude as our teacher assistant. During this time, Belinda became a qualified Learn to Swim and TODSWIM instructor. In 2005 Belinda's family relocated to Durban and we unfortunately had to say goodbye.
After an exciting 8 years in Durban running two swim schools, and working as a Foundation Phase Phys Ed teacher, Belinda and her family relocated back to Cape Town.
Fortuitously our Teacher Assistant position had once again become available, and Belinda happily rejoined our team. In 2016, Belinda moved to the position of Aftercare Supervisor, and has officially become apart of the furniture.
Belinda is blissfully married with two sons.
