Meet the headmonster:
Marc Loon shares his journey
After completing six years of engineering studies (Electrical Engineering followed by a Masters in government planning systems), still unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, I decided to take a gap year traveling. Through this zig-zagging journey, I discovered my calling as a teacher, almost accidentally.
In fact, I remember the exact moment that I knew I wanted to teach. I was teaching English grammar to eager nine-year-olds in a little Rajasthani village between Udaipur and Jodhpur. The children were loving the game we were playing with pronouns and I felt like a choreographer of an improv theatre piece; my young students and I, serving as both actors and audience. I was in flow. I was a teacher.
My accommodation during my stay in the village was a spare room in my principal’s house. On his bookshelf, I discovered a book, already out of print at that point, called “School is Dead” by Everett Reimer. It is an eloquent polemic against the many problems of the school system. I sailed through the book with a passion and joy that few other books have given me, and I remember the moment upon completing the final page. I lifted the book in front of me and spoke to the room, “This book is going to change my life.”
And so it has. Even as I commenced my education as a teacher, I sustained the catalytic impulse that this book had on me. I began my adventure into teaching as an inquirer into the system of schooling itself, exploring the history of schools and innovations in schooling and educational trends around the world, much of which has been integrated into what is now Kairos.
A highlight on this journey has included a personally transformative workshop with Marshall Rosenberg, founder of the Centre for Non-Violent Communication, followed by my sustained involvement in the ManKind Project and associated Boys to Men Mentoring Network, providing education in emotional intelligence for adult men and teenage boys. Much of the tools we utilise in Kairos, and which inform our social and emotional curriculum, originate from these initiatives.
Becoming a father in 2016 has added an entirely new dimension to my teaching journey. The joy of witnessing the day-to-day unfolding of my children’s intelligences has been a continuous celebration of life. Simultaneously, I can now more easily comprehend and personally identify with the struggles of parenting which I’ve long witnessed in parents of my classes at a more arms-length distance. I believe in Kairos now more than ever, not merely in the professional sense as an educator, but also as a father and the school of choice for my own children.
Feel free to give me a call for a chat.
Meet The Team
Tshegofatso Kgame
Tshegofatso Kgame, our dynamic Office Manager from Botswana, has been part of the management team at the African School of Excellence and their associated schools, one of our fellow partners in the Ashoka Changemaker Schools network. Tshego has a prior background in advertising, a diploma in public relations, and attended a year’s business course at Dean College while working as an au pair in Massachusetts, USA. She has also worked for the Broadcast Research Council of SA and Havas advertising agency, and has been involved in roles of charitable service through various organisations including Women and Beyond Ministries, her church, and through her role as Miss Botswana 2005. Tshego has a fiercely loyal and sincerely warm personality with an immediately obvious passion for people.
Tshego Kgame
Tshegofatso Kgame
Tshegofatso Kgame, our dynamic Office Manager from Botswana, has been part of the management team at the African School of Excellence and their associated schools, one of our fellow partners in the Ashoka Changemaker Schools network. Tshego has a prior background in advertising, a diploma in public relations, and attended a year’s business course at Dean College while working as an au pair in Massachusetts, USA. She has also worked for the Broadcast Research Council of SA and Havas advertising agency, and has been involved in roles of charitable service through various organisations including Women and Beyond Ministries, her church, and through her role as Miss Botswana 2005. Tshego has a fiercely loyal and sincerely warm personality with an immediately obvious passion for people.
Busi Dube
Busi Dube has been a cleaner at Kairos since 2013. Born and schooled in Soweto, she is studying for her Matric after hours. She has two children, Zinhle and Fezile, and she has an extended family in Francistown, Botswana. Previously Busi worked as a childminder at Bambanani in Melville. She is a Seventh Day Adventist churchgoer, and enjoys playing volleyball, nature walks and reading Zulu fiction.
Busi Dube
Busi Dube
Busi Dube has been a cleaner at Kairos since 2013. Born and schooled in Soweto, she is studying for her Matric after hours. She has two children, Zinhle and Fezile, and she has an extended family in Francistown, Botswana. Previously Busi worked as a childminder at Bambanani in Melville. She is a Seventh Day Adventist churchgoer, and enjoys playing volleyball, nature walks and reading Zulu fiction.
Bentry Chinji
Bentry Chinji joined us in 2023 as caretaker, after serving on the building team that helped prepare new school premises in Parkview. Bentry is an amazingly dedicated and loyal member of our Kairos team. Hailing from Malawi, Bentry wishes to say he gives thanks to his Father and Mother, Martin and Grace Mkandawire — they taught him always to be good to others, and to work hard — he follows the proverb that “Every man must eat his own sweat.” Bentry is married with two children, Maria and Alick. He says he appreciates our school spirit, and is grateful how everyone at Kairos looks after each other, and how his life has improved since he joined Kairos.
Bentry Chinji
Bentry Chinji
Bentry Chinji joined us in 2023 as caretaker, after serving on the building team that helped prepare new school premises in Parkview. Bentry is an amazingly dedicated and loyal member of our Kairos team. Hailing from Malawi, Bentry wishes to say he gives thanks to his Father and Mother, Martin and Grace Mkandawire — they taught him always to be good to others, and to work hard — he follows the proverb that “Every man must eat his own sweat.” Bentry is married with two children, Maria and Alick. He says he appreciates our school spirit, and is grateful how everyone at Kairos looks after each other, and how his life has improved since he joined Kairos.
Phindile Mini
Phindile Mini is one of our cleaners. She lives in Soweto with her husband and two boys. She is a hard worker, and went to Encochoyini Primary School and Greenfield Secondary School in Thokoza. She has worked as a cleaner and a cook, and also worked as a child minder at Bambanani, Melville. Phindile says she likes to work hard, and notes that respect is one of her core values.
Phindile Mini
Phindile Mini
Phindile Mini is one of our cleaners. She lives in Soweto with her husband and two boys. She is a hard worker, and went to Encochoyini Primary School and Greenfield Secondary School in Thokoza. She has worked as a cleaner and a cook, and also worked as a child minder at Bambanani, Melville. Phindile says she likes to work hard, and notes that respect is one of her core values.
Adél van Niekerk
Adél joined us in 2023 as our Afrikaans teacher. A former Kairos mom herself, and strong supporter of our school’s ethos, Adél brings 25 years of experience as a multimedia journalist, writer, part-time lecturer, and language tutor for second-language speakers, from primary school learners to adults. Adél has a deep interest in issues affecting children and teens, making education a natural fit. She believes Kairos fosters independent thinking — an approach that aligns perfectly with her teaching style.
Adél van Niekerk
Adel van Niekerk
Adél joined us in 2023 as our Afrikaans teacher. A former Kairos mom herself, and strong supporter of our school’s ethos, Adél brings 25 years of experience as a multimedia journalist, writer, part-time lecturer, and language tutor for second-language speakers, from primary school learners to adults. Adél has a deep interest in issues affecting children and teens, making education a natural fit. She believes Kairos fosters independent thinking — an approach that aligns perfectly with her teaching style.
Mduduzi Ndlovu
Mduduzi Ndlovu is an experienced teacher of isiZulu across all ages, from 5 years old to matric (and he’s given a few adult classes at Kairos too!). He has a background of teaching Zulu at Waldorf Schools as well as conventional private schools. He has also co-authored a seminal Zulu Dictionary (the Oxford Bilingual School Dictionary) and he has also published three music albums under the name Nonsikelelo Ndlovu. (Support him here!)
Mduduzi Ndlovu
Mduduzi Ndlovu
Mduduzi Ndlovu is an experienced teacher of isiZulu across all ages, from 5 years old to matric (and he’s given a few adult classes at Kairos too!). He has a background of teaching Zulu at Waldorf Schools as well as conventional private schools. He has also co-authored a seminal Zulu Dictionary (the Oxford Bilingual School Dictionary) and he has also published three music albums under the name Nonsikelelo Ndlovu. (Support him here!)
Christine De Vos
As our Grade 6-7 Class Teacher, Christine strikes a wonderful synthesis of teaching qualities: organised, creative and dedicated. She has a rich background teaching in diverse settings, including primary and high schools as well as adults, and including stints in the Czech Republic and Germany. Christine is a mom herself, and is quite passionate about her hobbies: sewing, writing, running and gardening — especially if it’s with her daughter! She holds a BA in Journalism, English and Philosophy, a BA Honours in Majors in Journalism and Philosophy, and a PGCE in English as both a first and second language, all from Rhodes University.
Christine de Vos
Christine De Vos
As our Grade 6-7 Class Teacher, Christine strikes a wonderful synthesis of teaching qualities: organised, creative and dedicated. She has a rich background teaching in diverse settings, including primary and high schools as well as adults, and including stints in the Czech Republic and Germany. Christine is a mom herself, and is quite passionate about her hobbies: sewing, writing, running and gardening — especially if it’s with her daughter! She holds a BA in Journalism, English and Philosophy, a BA Honours in Majors in Journalism and Philosophy, and a PGCE in English as both a first and second language, all from Rhodes University.
Jason Higgins
Upon completion of High School I spent a year working in Germany, in a community for mentally and physically challenged adults. I then completed a four year Bachelor of Social Science degree, majoring in Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and German after which I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Foundation Phase Education. I worked for two years at Michael Mount Waldorf School in Grade 1 and 2. I then studied for 6 months at the Centre for Creative Education before doing a 2 year Diploma in Plant production and Biodynamic farming, during this time I also became a Member and then Director of an Agroecology Cooperative. I worked for three months at Vista Nova Primary School in grade 3 before starting a company focused on urban agriculture and education. I then worked as a carer for the elderly before working for 6 months at Sparks School Bramley.
Jason Higgins
Jason Higgins
Upon completion of High School I spent a year working in Germany, in a community for mentally and physically challenged adults. I then completed a four year Bachelor of Social Science degree, majoring in Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and German after which I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Foundation Phase Education. I worked for two years at Michael Mount Waldorf School in Grade 1 and 2. I then studied for 6 months at the Centre for Creative Education before doing a 2 year Diploma in Plant production and Biodynamic farming, during this time I also became a Member and then Director of an Agroecology Cooperative. I worked for three months at Vista Nova Primary School in grade 3 before starting a company focused on urban agriculture and education. I then worked as a carer for the elderly before working for 6 months at Sparks School Bramley.
Phindi Shilubane
Our Grade 5 Class Teacher Phindi’s style of teaching fits our ethos like hand in a glove. She is a dedicated and passionate educator — creative, loving and mature. Fluent in English, isiZulu as well as South Sotho and seTswana, Phindi is a mother of two, and has taught both in the early Grades and in the intermediate phase of Primary School. She is passionate about teaching the child not the subject, and has been engaged in a variety of voluntary counselling initiatives, both at her previous schools and outside them.
Phindi Shilubane
Phindi Shilubane
Our Grade 5 Class Teacher Phindi’s style of teaching fits our ethos like hand in a glove. She is a dedicated and passionate educator — creative, loving and mature. Fluent in English, isiZulu as well as South Sotho and seTswana, Phindi is a mother of two, and has taught both in the early Grades and in the intermediate phase of Primary School. She is passionate about teaching the child not the subject, and has been engaged in a variety of voluntary counselling initiatives, both at her previous schools and outside them.
Lwazi Jele
Since 2022, Lwazi has served as Class Teacher of grades 4 to 7 at Kairos. A natural teacher, children of all ages are drawn to him as a mentor, seeking him out at break-time, and eagerly awaiting for the opportunity to be taught by him. Growing up in Nelspruit in a Siswati household, he graduated with a B.Ed from Wits, majoring in English and Geography. He has a strong personal drive, has taught in various conventional schools in both primary and high school, including English for matric students. In his past he has also been involved in personal entrepreneurial ventures as well as hosting a radio show. In addition to serving as our Grade 4 Class Teacher, Lwazi also serves admirably as our Operations Manager.
Lwazi Jele
Lwazi Jele
Since 2022, Lwazi has served as Class Teacher of grades 4 to 7 at Kairos. A natural teacher, children of all ages are drawn to him as a mentor, seeking him out at break-time, and eagerly awaiting for the opportunity to be taught by him. Growing up in Nelspruit in a Siswati household, he graduated with a B.Ed from Wits, majoring in English and Geography. He has a strong personal drive, has taught in various conventional schools in both primary and high school, including English for matric students. In his past he has also been involved in personal entrepreneurial ventures as well as hosting a radio show. In addition to serving as our Grade 4 Class Teacher, Lwazi also serves admirably as our Operations Manager.
Sidrah Amer
Sidra Amer
Sidra Amer is a teacher with extraordinary dedication. She has grown with Kairos School since 2012, first as Teacher Assistant and then full time teacher. Over the years, Sidra has helped develop our systems and methods. She has had exposure to educational culture in diverse contexts of Zimbabwe, Spain and Pakistan, as well as South Africa, and is known in the school for her solid reliability and ability to organise.
Francesca Sayer
Our Grade R teacher Francesca Sayer has many years of alternative schooling experience. Born and raised in the UK, Francesca attended Brockwood Park School as a teenager, one of the schools founded by the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. She then taught there for over a decade. She then went on to teach at Brockwood for over a decade. She led the school’s sports curriculum, served as head of pastoral care, taught a year-long course to her students called Care for the Earth and regularly organised outdoor activities such as hikes and camps. Francesca is trained in the global Forest School movement and is currently acquiring a qualification in Montessori Teaching through the Montessori Centre of South Africa.
Francesca Sayer
Francesca Sayer
Our Grade R teacher Francesca Sayer has many years of alternative schooling experience. Born and raised in the UK, Francesca attended Brockwood Park School as a teenager, one of the schools founded by the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. She then taught there for over a decade. She then went on to teach at Brockwood for over a decade. She led the school’s sports curriculum, served as head of pastoral care, taught a year-long course to her students called Care for the Earth and regularly organised outdoor activities such as hikes and camps. Francesca is trained in the global Forest School movement and is currently acquiring a qualification in Montessori Teaching through the Montessori Centre of South Africa.
Percy Mesi
Sibusiso Percy Mesi grew up in the Eastern Cape. Despite almost dying at birth (his grandmother saved his life!), he overcame many obstacles to excel on the sports field in high school. Percy celebrates that although he came from a poor, struggling family, and was a naughty and active child in primary school, he became a star athlete when he moved to Nombulelo High School in Grahamstown, winning 100m and 200m races and became the school’s rugby captain. After passing matric, he moved with his mother to Gauteng and became a sports coach, which he has been doing now for two decades. He was Highlands Park Coach of the Year in 2006, moving on to coach at Discovery Soccer Park, where has served for 14 years. He has taught Playball, continuously furthered his studies as a sports coach, including acquiring a SAFA-accredited coaching licence and a sports management diploma. He is a natural mentor with children, and every class across all our grades are unanimous about their love of his lessons.
Percy Mesi
Percy Mesi
Sibusiso Percy Mesi grew up in the Eastern Cape. Despite almost dying at birth (his grandmother saved his life!), he overcame many obstacles to excel on the sports field in high school. Percy celebrates that although he came from a poor, struggling family, and was a naughty and active child in primary school, he became a star athlete when he moved to Nombulelo High School in Grahamstown, winning 100m and 200m races and became the school’s rugby captain. After passing matric, he moved with his mother to Gauteng and became a sports coach, which he has been doing now for two decades. He was Highlands Park Coach of the Year in 2006, moving on to coach at Discovery Soccer Park, where has served for 14 years. He has taught Playball, continuously furthered his studies as a sports coach, including acquiring a SAFA-accredited coaching licence and a sports management diploma. He is a natural mentor with children, and every class across all our grades are unanimous about their love of his lessons.
Tshepang Morake
Our Grade 1 teacher, Tshepang Morake, is a passionate teacher with extensive experience around South Africa in early childhood and foundation phase educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and English from Wits, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from UNISA as well as a TEFL certification. Her teaching career spans a variety of South African schools, including Future Nation Schools, Matlhware Primary School, Rutanang Enrichment Centre, and Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng. Her speciality is curriculum development and assessment theory, which fits beautifully with the curriculum and assessment innovations at Kairos. She also takes a strong interest in lesson planning and student engagement, and has previous experience in elements of school management. She is deeply committed to holistic child development and literacy awareness, and loves how holistic educational perspective of Kairos dovetails with her own beliefs. Tshepang lives with her husband Thebe (who also is an educational consultant in Kairos), and her two boys.
Tshepang Morake
Tshepang Morake
Our Grade 1 teacher, Tshepang Morake, is a passionate teacher with extensive experience around South Africa in early childhood and foundation phase educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and English from Wits, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from UNISA as well as a TEFL certification. Her teaching career spans a variety of South African schools, including Future Nation Schools, Matlhware Primary School, Rutanang Enrichment Centre, and Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng. Her speciality is curriculum development and assessment theory, which fits beautifully with the curriculum and assessment innovations at Kairos. She also takes a strong interest in lesson planning and student engagement, and has previous experience in elements of school management. She is deeply committed to holistic child development and literacy awareness, and loves how holistic educational perspective of Kairos dovetails with her own beliefs. Tshepang lives with her husband Thebe (who also is an educational consultant in Kairos), and her two boys.
Marc Loon
Founding teacher and head, Marc Loon has experience teaching children of all ages, from two until adulthood. This includes four years as a class teacher at Michael Mount Waldorf School and four years as founder and programme manager of the Life Skills Programme at CIDA City Campus. He has two Masters degrees (Management and Engineering), a Waldorf teaching qualification from the esteemed Emerson College, UK, and has diverse experience in various educational methods. He has served as Centre Director and co-founder of Jo’burg branch of Boys to Men, an international mentoring network for boys. He was awarded the NAPTOSA award of “Best Overall Student” during his PGCE (Wits), and has received Firsts in three M.Ed courses (Wits).
Marc Loon
Marc Loon
Founding teacher and head, Marc Loon has experience teaching children of all ages, from two until adulthood. This includes four years as a class teacher at Michael Mount Waldorf School and four years as founder and programme manager of the Life Skills Programme at CIDA City Campus. He has two Masters degrees (Management and Engineering), a Waldorf teaching qualification from the esteemed Emerson College, UK, and has diverse experience in various educational methods. He has served as Centre Director and co-founder of Jo’burg branch of Boys to Men, an international mentoring network for boys. He was awarded the NAPTOSA award of “Best Overall Student” during his PGCE (Wits), and has received Firsts in three M.Ed courses (Wits).
Our Facilities
Our vision for our school is one of community, where everyone knows everyone else really well. We are housed in a heritage home of the late Joan Brickhill, one of the great doyens of South African theatre — a fitting location for a primary school with a strong arts-oriented curriculum.
There is a considerable amount of safe space for the children to explore, which we utilise to the full with lengthier break times compared to conventional schools, as well as lessons that occur outside.
The property consists of 4000 square metres of enchanted gardens, with vehicle access via 16 Dundalk Avenue and pedestrian access on the Zoo Lake road (Lower Park Drive). Because we have successfully rezoned this property, our move to Parkview will mean we will at last be able to register with the Department of Education and become a member of Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA).
Extramurals & Aftercare
We offer a diverse set of extramural options for a small school, including both cultural and sport-related activities. Our proximity to the Zoo Lake will enable us to expand our extramural services even beyond these. Our offering depends on the demand from the students at the time.
The extramurals we offer in-house with no extra charge, include:
Extramurals offered by outside visitors, attracting a nominal fee per term, include:
We also offer an Aftercare service until 17h00 each day, charged at a nominal rate (refer to the current Schedule of Fees).
Calendar & Timetable
Kairos follows the 4-term ISASA calendar with slight differences, to cater for religious diversity. Events during the year include a Games Evening, Senior and Junior school camps, Purim-Holi colour festival, the Kairos Olympics, the Eskom Science Expo, the Kairos Winter Kaleidoscope, the end of year concert etc. Click on our current Kairos calendar below.
Children are dropped off between 07h30 and 07h45, and pick-up times range from 12h30 and 14h30 depending on the child's grade. Each class has a clear week's timetable, which includes a daily integrated studies "Main Lesson", two 30 minute breaks, and a holistic balance of other classes.
Policies and Procedures
Click on the links below to view or download our current school policies.
Please see our document regarding screen-time below.
