Our Staff

Principal and Academic Director

Michiel Coetzee

Michiel Coetzee is the Principal and Academic Head of Keurbosch International School.

Michiel has ensured that the quality of teaching improved drastically under his leadership, which resulted in our students acquiring outstanding international results.

He has an insatiable passion for education, especially to equip students with Academic, Social, and Work Skills, thus ensuring that they are successful in life. Adult life can be daunting and requires a positive attitude, perseverance, multi-disciplinary skill sets, high-quality work ethics, smart and analytical thinking, and grit.

Michiel cares deeply for our students and will leave no stone untouched to ensure that our students get the best opportunities and guidance possible.

He believes that students need to be smart and that they need to go the extra mile to stand out in a very competitive world.

Michiel is a Master Lecturer in Teaching and Study Methods as well as Memory Retention and believes students should understand their work fully, be able to save it to their existing schemata, be able to retrieve it when prompted, and have the ability to apply it. This brings long-term success.

Michiel has no tolerance for laziness and procrastination. He underwrites a balanced life of enough sleep, healthy eating, exercise, and positive interaction with others.

Michiel’s motto is Positive Education and Excellence.  He teaches Computer Science.  His students have obtained some of the top International Results and he grooms his students to obtain excellent academic results. He understands the value of high-standard work ethics and top scores, it unlocks vast opportunities for the youth. He further understands that not all students are academic achievers but believes that each person must reach their full potential. He is a qualified NBI Brain Profile Practitioner who understands Whole Brain Teaching and the fact that all people are different and have different strengths and qualities.

Michiel has, despite his other qualifications, a Bachelor’s in Education and is currently busy with his Honors Degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Studies.

Michiel is teaching History and Computer Science at Keurbosch. An incredible achievement of his students is that the lowest mark that any of his AS Level Computer Science students ever achieved was 87%, some top achievers scored 90% plus.

Michiel has been married for over 34 years and has 2 daughters and two grandchildren.

 

PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL TEACHERS

Level 1 – (Grade 1)
Fiona Harris – 

Fiona Harris is a dedicated and passionate UK trained Primary Specialist Teacher. She has extensive teaching experience using the British Curriculum and has held leadership roles within various subjects, spanning over 12 years. She trained and qualified in the United Kingdom with a Primary Teaching Degree. Fiona’s broad range of experience also encompasses working in several international settings including the Middle East. She is also a qualified TEFL teacher and has taught English in China to 3-18 year olds, which included providing training for new teachers. Additionally, Fiona has a background within Education Recruitment Consultancy, and Marketing and Design.

Enjoyment, challenge and creativity are all fundamental aspects of her teaching philosophy, as well as high expectations for all pupils.  Fiona believes in the importance of building strong foundational skills in early education and encourages curiosity, independence, and perseverance in all students.

With a deep understanding of teaching strategies and language acquisition, her hands-on approach aims to ensure that students are well-prepared academically, socially, and emotionally for the next stages of their education.

Level 2 – Grade 2

Susan Mansfield

Susan has a Bachelor in Psychology and Sociology as well as a PGCSE from Unisa as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Foundation Phase from the Cornerstone University.

She has over 25 years of experience in teaching from grade 000 upwards and received reward in Literacy and is a registered member of the British Dyslexia Association.

Susan is a very experienced teacher and has a gift to assist students with any learning challenges of any nature. She is an extremely dedicated teacher which goes the extra mile for her students. She is also in charge of the foundation phase school plays and has ensured some great concerts, plays and musicals.

 

 

 

Deroline Goldberg

Deroline is a hardworking, loyal, disciplined, assertive, versatile and flexible teacher. She is dilligent and very competent.

She has daycare, pre-school and primary school experience and is currently studying towards her teacher qualification.

She is a friendly, strict teacher who is loved by all her students. “She is probably the person with the neatest handwriting that I have seen, ever” – Mr Michiel Coetzee, principal.

 

 

 

 

Ashley Aucamp

Ashley Aucamp is a Grade 5 teacher who joined our team in January 2025. She is a dedicated and hardworking educator, having graduated from The Aleit Academy in 2018 with a diploma in Events Management. In addition to her diploma, she holds a TEFL certificate and tutoring experience, which enhances her teaching skills. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree with a focus on intermediate-phase teaching, specializing in Mathematics and Languages. Ashley demonstrates a profound passion for working with children, consistently going the extra mile to support her students. She believes strongly in the value of teamwork and is always willing to lend her assistance to colleagues and students alike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

 

Hutton Robertse (nee Heyns)

Hutton is an outstanding teacher with three degrees.

Hutton has a B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) in Human Genetics, a Med Hons in Molecular Genetics as well as an M.Sc. (Master’s Degree) in Biotechnology.

Hutton teaches Mathematics at an extended level.  She engages with her students and is loved by them. She is a very skilled and qualified teacher who always ensures that her work is of the highest standard.

Keurbosch students are extremely privileged to have a teacher of her caliber.

 

 

Zandile Matikinca

Zandile is a young, vibrant, and dynamic graduate, with 3 degrees, at the age of 27 who deeply cares for her students.

She did her MPhil in Demography (Master’s Degree), a BSc (Hons) (Honours Degree) in Population Studies (Cum Laude), and a BSc (Bachelor of Science) in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. Some of her majors and electives included Life Sciences, Statistics, Chemistry, and Environmental and Water Sciences. She previously worked as an educator, an educator’s assistant, a tutor, a Research Assistant, and a Graduate Intern. She is highly dedicated and self-motivated and possesses strong leadership skills with extensive knowledge and understanding of the syllabi at hand.

 

She heads the science faculty and her mandate is to ensure that this department follows the example of the other disciplines at Keurbosch which achieved outstanding international results. Best practices and study methods are supported by the academic head of the school in this department to ensure academic excellence.

Some more about Zandile…

Life Sciences Tutor
University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
• Facilitated individual and group tutorial sessions to promote a deeper understanding of the course material.
• Supervised and assisted with tutorials and assignments.

Statistics Tutor
University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Department of Statistics and Population Studies
• Facilitated individual and group tutorial sessions to promote a deeper understanding of the course material.
• Supervised and assisted with tutorials and assignments.
• Assessed and gave feedback on tutorials.
• Performed administrative duties as required by the department.

Research Assistant
University of the Western Cape (UWC) – Department of Statistics and Population Studies
• Literature reviewing.
• Data analysis.

Graduate Intern
Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) – Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
• Collected, captured, and analyzed qualitative and quantitative evidence from other Programmes within the department.
• Visualized and compiled quarterly performance reports on the findings.
• Performed administrative and clerical duties.

Teacher/Facilitator
• Teacher and facilitator.

Zandile has a teachable spirit herself and Keurbosch students are very privileged to have a teacher/facilitator who can share best practices and proven methods with them to achieve well in the natural sciences..

 

Jason Oberholster

Jason is a highly skilled and competent teacher and facilitator. He has been with the Knysna Education group for the last 8 years and is an advanced English teacher, trainer, and facilitator.

Jason has experience in training adult teachers for overseas markets and is loved by all. He is a highly competent and dedicated teacher who is emotionally sensitive and intelligent. His expertise in English is a great asset to Keurbosch.

Jason is fully skilled in invitational and whole-brain teaching and students are intensely engaged in his classes. Jason heads the English division of Keurbosch International School.

Jason teaches English and Travel & Tourism

 

Francis Oberholster

Francis taught for 3 years in China as a language teacher and has obtained invaluable knowledge and experience during her time there.

She is a very dedicated and diligent teacher who goes the extra mile for her students. It is not unfamiliar to see her sitting after school giving students extra lessons to get them on track.

Francis teaches Afrikaans and Information and communication technology at Keurbosch.

Francis is a qualified TEFL teacher who is studying towards her formal education qualification.

 

Abraham

Abraham is a dedicated and popular social science teacher. He is from Ghana where he grew up with high academic standards, work ethics, and diligence.

He has a way to keep the students engaged during classes as he possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Students enjoy his energetic classes and the way he breaks open difficult concepts in a simple way.

His gentle demeanor and subject knowledge ensure that all his students want to attend and interact in his classes.

Abraham teaches Environmental Management, Geography, and Business Studies.