Calling Education believes in the inspirational and guiding influence of passionate teachers. We would rather have excellent teachers teaching in average facilities, than average teachers teaching in excellent facilities. It is one of our highest priorities to recruit outstanding teachers who understand “calling” and share our dreams for Calling Education.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Raoul Hamman
Principal,
Teacher of Mathematics
Raoul Hamman
Raoul grew up in Whiteriver, Mpumalanga, where he initially attended school. Later he moved to Nelspruit High School to pursue his passion for tennis. After he matriculated he spent a year coaching at a tennis academy in England. He studied at the University of Potchefstroom where he completed his Undergraduate Degree in Education (BEd), followed by an Honours Degree in Educational Psychology and a Masters’ Degree (MEd) in Mathematics.
After completing his studies, Raoul spent six months as a touring tennis coach and six months teaching at Curro Nelspruit. He then moved to Cape Town where he spent seven years teaching at Durbanville High School. He joined Calling Academy in 2019 and loves the privilege of seeing the growth and development of the school and its learners.
Raoul enjoys spending time outdoors where he gets to appreciate some of what God created while running and cycling. He places a lot of value on discipleship and building relationships and considers his greatest joy to be a good husband, friend and teacher. He is happily married to Kristine.
Ben Greyling
Deputy Principal,
Grade 12 Head,
Teacher of Maths Literacy
Ben Greyling
Ben grew up on a farm in Mpumalanga, but later moved to the Cape where he attended Boland Agricultural High School. He furthered his studies at the University of Stellenbosch, by obtaining a BA Degree in Sport Science with Psychology as a major, followed by a Post Graduate Degree in Marketing.
After he completed his studies, Ben travelled the world and taught in South Korea for 11 years. During this time he met his wife, Sorika, completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education Cum Laude and pastored a church for 4 years.
Ben is passionate about people and helping them to see, and reach, their full potential. He and Sorika have settled locally with their two wonderful children.
NC Vermeulen
Grade 8 Head,
Teacher of Business Studies
NC Vermeulen
NC grew up in Paarl where he attended Paarl Boys’ High School. He obtained a BCom Investment Management Degree from Stellenbosch University as well as a PGCE in order to pursue his God-given passion for teaching. He began his career in Education at a private high school in Vietnam. There he gained an insight and understanding of international curriculums and how to implement different approaches to better accommodate the varying learning styles of his learners.
NC joined Calling Academy in January 2020. He currently teaches Business Studies in the FET phase, CAT (Computer Applications Technology) to Grade 10 and EMS (Economic and Management Science) to Grades 8 and 9. He is Head of Grade 11 as well as the Connect Co-Ordinator for Grades 8-12. When he is not in the class room; NC can be found assisting with outdoor sports such as Cricket, Trail Running and Tennis.
NC believes wholeheartedly in his role as an educator by impacting his learners’ lives in shaping their futures. As a mentor, he provides guidance for his students and believes a teacher not only imparts academic knowledge but is also responsible for instilling good values as well as assisting with ways to resolve modern-day challenges.
NC was recently married and he and Nicola reside just outside Stellenbosch.
Reinhard Appolis
Grade 11 Head,
Teacher of History & Life Orientation
Reinhard Appolis
Reinhard was born and bred in Touwsrivier where he attended De Kruine Secondary School. After achieving outstanding matric results he went on to complete his BEd with FET Specialisation at CPUT. He further obtained a BEd Honours degree in Teaching and Learning completing his practical teaching stints at Zonnebloem NEST Secondary School and HTS Drostdy.
Reinhard is passionate about community transformation by creating academic opportunities. He started a non-profit organisation, MeantFoYou, to educate learners about tertiary study opportunities and sourcing funding. He is committed to student success inside the classroom as well as in life. He joined Calling Academy at the start of 2020 where he focuses on building meaningful relationships to create student success. He has dedicated his life to inspiring the next generation of learners to chase their dreams and aim to make them a reality.
Karen van Boom
Grade 10 Head,
Teacher of Afrikaans FAL
Karen van Boom
Karen completed her BA HDE at UWC. She started her teaching career at Beacon Hill Secondary School in Mitchells Plain. She left teaching to start a business offering remedial classes in reading and basic Mathematics, but returned to the formal classroom when she joined Abbotts College, Century City, in October 2000.
Karen joined the Calling Academy team in January 2021. She is passionate about instilling positive values in young adults by incorporating life lessons in her teaching. She considers it a privilege to be part of the journey of these unique young men.
Karen is married to Heine, a primary school teacher. They are blessed with two sons and a granddaughter.
Jannie Kirsten
Grade 9 Head,
Teacher of Accounting
Jannie Kirsten
Jannie grew up in Paarl and absolutely loved his school career at Paarl Boys’ High School, eventually leading to his passion for teaching boys. He obtained a BCom (Agricultural Economics) Degree at Stellenbosch University after which he joined his family’s table grape farming business for 14 years, learning valuable lessons that enhance his current teaching subject.
After sensing that God was leading him into a new profession, Jannie returned to Stellenbosch University to complete his PGCE in 2016. Subsequently, he taught Accounting for two years at Swellendam High School before joining Calling Academy at the beginning of 2019. He is a keen enthusiast of endurance sports, loves trail running and enjoys his role as trail running coach at Calling Academy. Jannie is married to Beatrix and has four children: Gabriella, Jan-Dawid, Katja and baby Miga.
TEACHERS
Anwell Cupido
Teacher of Afrikaans FAL, Social Science & Tourism
Anwell Cupido
Anwell grew up in Paarl, where he attended a Catholic Primary School. Catholicism has played a central role in his life, instilling the values of a strong faith and a belief in God from an early age. Anwell matriculated from Klein Nederburg Secondary after which he attended the University of the Western Cape where he obtained a BA Degree majoring in Geography and Afrikaans & Nederlands. He was part of the pilot group of interns at Calling Academy in 2021 while studying for his PGCE part-time through the University of the North-West.
In 2022 he joined Calling Academy full-time where he now teaches Afrikaans FAL as well as Geography to Grade 8 and 9 learners. He also heads up the Cricket Program, coaching the U/15 and U/19 teams.
Anwell fosters an open and inclusive teaching approach within the classroom by striving to meet the needs of each and every learner.
Verity Slaverse
Teacher of English HL
Verity Slaverse
Verity hails from Kuils River, Cape Town, and comes from a family of Educators. She matriculated from Sarepta Secondary School, after which she commenced her studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), completing a BA Degree in English and Psychology as well as an Honours Degree in English. As a student, she was awarded an exciting opportunity to participate in the Linnaeus-Palme International Exchange Programme at Dalarna University in Sweden. There she began a snowy semester studying towards her MA, which she completed upon her return. Verity was drawn to Teaching and after achieving her PGCE; she travelled East to teach in both private and public schools in South Korea.
Verity’s journey as an Educator, in South Africa, began as a tutor in English for Educational Development and, later, English Literature at UWC. Besides her teaching experience abroad, Verity also taught ESL locally. Later she lectured in Communication Studies at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) for nearly a decade before joining the team at Calling Academy in 2022.
She enjoys teaching English as she believes that it broadens learners’ horizons by presenting them with new cultures, and allows them to critically reflect on various themes and genres. English education fosters the development of 21st century skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving. Therefore, not only does English assist in making learners’ subjects more accessible, it also prepares them to take their seats as global citizens in the long run.
Verity is an avid reader and Mom to sunny, spirited Scarlett, who shares her mother’s love for books.
Yonela Mayile
Teacher of IsiXhosa FAL
Yonela Mayile
Yonela is an isiXhosa FAL teacher, who was born in the Eastern Cape, in a small village called Kubengu, however, she grew up in the well-known township of Nyanga in Cape Town.
Yonela graduated from the University of the Western Cape in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Language and Communication Studies and IsiXhosa Language, followed by an Honours Degree in IsiXhosa in 2019. Her passion for teaching and the language motivated her to pursue her studies by enrolling for her PGCE at the University of Stellenbosch in 2020 in order to fulfil her dream of becoming an isiXhosa teacher.
Yonela joined the team at Calling Academy in 2022.
Sean Weber
Teacher of Physical Science, Mathematics & Robotics
Sean Weber
Sean strives to distinguish all his work in Education through pioneering and excellence. He is a great advocate of innovation and creativity in the classroom environment. Sean completed his Bachelor of Science in Theoretical Physics at Stellenbosch University and continued his studies with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education specialising in teaching Mathematics and Physical Science.
He has been involved in teaching Robotics and Coding and enjoys dreaming about the future possibilities for Education in South Africa. At the centre of his passion for teaching, Sean believes that his God-given talents are best used to help others. He finds joy in serving those around him and seeing his learners succeed.
Alphus Mtilene
Teacher of Life Sciences
Alphus Mtilene
Alphus was born and raised in the dusty streets of Soweto, a famous township in the South of Johannesburg. He matriculated at Altmont Technical High School and furthered his higher education studies at Rhodes University, in the Eastern Cape. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry. He further studied a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), followed by an Honours Degree in Education BEd (Hons). He’s currently registered at Stellenbosch University for a Masters Degree in Education, focusing on sustainability science.
Before joining Calling Academy he was teaching at Kimberley Boys’ High School since 2016; an institution that he served for 8 years and has allowed him to model a good perspective of what it means to teach a boy child, in the context of South Africa and its socioeconomic challenges.
Alphus is passionate about Science Education and his mission in the sector is to expose learners to STEM related topics and debates, enabling them to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Craig Allwright
Teacher of Computer Applications Technology
Craig Allwright
Neville Leach
Head of RCL, Teacher of Afrikaans FAL & Business Studies
Neville Leach
Neville was born in Pretoria in 1992 and attended school at Laerskool Menlopark and Die Hoërskool Menlopark. After completing school, Neville took a gap year in which he learned how to sail at the Ocean Sailing Academy in Cape Town. He finished his gap year by sailing a catamaran across the Atlantic ocean from Cape Town to Miami.
Neville studied law at the University of Pretoria after his gap year and was admitted as an Attorney in the High Court of South Africa in 2019. After his admission, Neville felt a calling to pursue a more meaningful career and got his first taste of teaching as an English teacher in Japan towards the end of 2019.
Neville returned from his stint abroad in 2021 and started at Calling Academy as an intern in 2022. He completed his PGCE that same year. He is very passionate about sport and realising his potential as a teacher and a mentor to the leaders of tomorrow.
Neville teaches Business Studies in the FET phase and Afrikaans First Additional Language in the Senior Phase. He is also involved in establishing the Oxford Tutorial Method at Calling Academy. Neville currently resides in Somerset West.
Nakita Keal
Teacher of Mathematics
Nakita Keal
Crystel Jansen
Teacher of English HL
Crystel Jansen
Crystel is from a small town called, Saron and matriculated at Roodezandt Secondary School. After achieving outstanding matric results she completed her Bachelor’s in Education with a cum laude pass at the University of the Western Cape and graduated in the year, 2020; in which she became a member of the Golden Key Honours Society. She is continuing her studies at Stellenbosch University, as she hopes to complete her psychology course in 2023.
Crystel’s journey as an Educator began as a tutor in Linguistics for the English department at UWC, followed by Abedare primary (Head of Afrikaans), Curro (English Home Language and Life Orientation), Bosmansdam High School (head of grade 10, one of the heads in the performance arts, planner for grade 8 & 11 English as well as aiding in behaviour counselling). She is grateful for the experienced gained as this brought her to Calling Academy, a place to learn and grow, while improving her skills.
Crystel is passionate about teaching and empowering the next generation. She is committed to inspiring confidence and passion within her subject as she has the honour of teaching grade 8, 9 & 10, English Home Language.
Dewald Maré
Teacher of Physical Science, Mathematics & Natural Science
Dewald Mare
Dewald is a passionate young man who strives to make a difference in others lives by helping them reach their full potential.
Dewald finished his High School Career at Hoërskool Garsfontein and studied at the University of Pretoria. Dewald worked as a Science teacher at the prestigious Hoërskool Waterkloof, but felt the call of God to move to the Western Cape and become part of processes to change and serve education in South Africa, so that every young person can achieve the potential birthed in them.
Dewald loves adventure, being social with friends and spreading the love of Christ into the world.
He has a passion for science, discipleship, growing, inspiring and equipping the next generation.
Caylin Hopley
Administrator and Teacher of Afrikaans FAL
Caylin Hopley
Caylin Hopley obtained her BA (Hons) in Afrikaans and Dutch at Stellenbosch University and completed her PGCE through UNISA. She has a passion for languages and enjoys admin-related tasks.
Caylin completed her internship at Calling Academy Stellenbosch and truly found her passion for teaching. She is passionate about the next generation and equipping young leaders in their callings. She loves spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. She inspires and empowers learners to make every effort to confirm their calling.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Prudence Gabriels
Receptionist
Prudence Gabriels
Prudence is the warm, friendly face that greets one as one enters Calling Academy. A local lass, Prudence, is from Idas Valley in Stellenbosch where she attended Luckhoff High School. After she matriculated, she completed a course in Office Administration and Accounting. Previously, Prudence worked in tele-sales and office administration before she joined Calling Academy in 2018 as the receptionist. Prudence says her job allows her to live out her passion for working with children. To that end she has subsequently completed two First Aid Courses whilst at Calling Academy.
Adele Serfontein
Finance
Adele Serfontein
Adele grew up in Paarl where she matriculated at Gymnasium High School. Thereafter she completed her B Comm degree as well as her Higher Education Diploma at Stellenbosch University. She taught Accountancy and Economic Management Sciences at different schools including Paul Roos Gymnasium and Stellenbosch High. She is married to Campher Serfontein and they have 3 children.
Burger van Rooyen
Financial Manager
Burger van Rooyen
Burger grew up in the Garden Route, the Karoo and Cape Town, before studying at Stellenbosch University (BAcc & BAccHons).
Burger attended Jan van Riebeeck High School from his grade 10 year, becoming Head Boy in 2013. He thereafter spent five formative years at Dagbreek Men’s Residence (House Committee 2017, Mentor 2018). He completed his CA(SA) articles at Deloitte Cape Town, before working on a short-term contract with Deloitte Ireland.
Driven by his love for ministry and education, influenced by his Pastor-father and Music Teacher-mother, Burger joined Calling Education in August 2024. His passion for ministry and education is grown further through tutoring, sports coaching, serving as worship leader in his local church, going on various missions in the Western Cape and Namibia, as well as embarking on a two-month sabbatical, serving the beautiful country of Kenya, with his wife, Anne.
Outside of work, Burger enjoys anything related to sport, music and nature- especially when shared with friends and family.
Greg Modungwa
Values Consultant
Greg Modungwa
Gregory is the Youth Director at Unashamedly Ethical and facilitates all initiatives related to the fast-growing Youth Movement called Tribe. He completed his Theological Degree at the Global University of Theology in 2013 and went on to be a youth pastor for 5 years. He has worked in schools for over 6 years as a youth worker specialising in value-driven programmes and organisational culture transformation of various schools.
Tribe, as an Initiative of Unashamedly Ethical, is dedicated to raising a generation of young people who are bold enough to take a stand for ethics & values so that they can reach their full potential and have a positive impact on society. Tribe’s primary focus is to equip schools with the tools and resources needed to develop a values-driven culture within the school.
Maylon de Kock
In-house Custodian
Maylon de Kock
Maylon was born and raised in Stellenbosch, attending Vlaeberg Primary and Stellenzicht High. She is the mother of two children. Maylon’s efforts to take care of and protect the schools interior facilities goes unmatched. Maylon joined the Calling Academy team in 2023 and has been a blessing to our school.
Shaun Jacobs
Landscaper and Groundskeeper
Shaun Jacobs
Shaun grew up in Stellenbosch, where he attended school at Vlottenburg Primary and Stellenzicht High. Shaun worked at Catherine Marshall Wines before joining the Calling team in 2023 and has been a blessing to Calling Academy Stellenbosch ever since. He is responsible for keeping our grounds in great condition and is a valuable asset to our school.
CALLING TEACHERS’ ACADEMY
Simeon Marais
Teacher Intern of History and Social Science