The Bay Academy

Principal

Mr Steyn holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Regenesys (Cum Laude), an Honour’s Degree in History from the University of Johannesburg, as well as a Higher Diploma in Education (UJ).

Mr Steyn is passionate about teaching and learning. He is excited to be part of The Bay Academy and to contribute to its future growth and development. His previous experience as head to a variety of schools, has honed his skills in strategic planning and change management processes. His educational philosophy is based on the belief that the best schools offer an educational experience that shapes confident, curious, and well-rounded individuals.

“The Bay Academy is an excellent innovative, student-focused learning community. My objective is to ensure an ethic of excellence at The Bay Academy, whereby students can flourish and teachers feel supported to nurture a genuine love for learning,” he says.

Business Manager. BA (Hons)

Jacqui Brown is the Business Manager and the Examination Officer for The Bay Academy and holds an Honours degree in Psychology. 

The demanding roles that she fulfils require both a good grasp of the Edexcel examination systems and an in-depth knowledge of The Bay Academy’s operational needs.  Jacqui is the firm hand that steers The Bay Academy to achieve its daily operations and steering it toward efficiency and productivity. Her role involves strategic planning as well as hands-on management, Human Resource administration, compliance, and generally ensuring that the school’s operations align with its broader goals.

Head of Montessori Campus

Kym van Straaten is a respected Montessorian, having extensive experience as a Montessori teacher, Principal, Montessori teacher trainer and in Montessori curriculum development and design. She ran her own school, Randburg Montessori,  in Johannesburg for children aged 18 months to 13 years for 18 years, before selling and moving with her family to Hout Bay.  She shares her life with her incredibly supportive husband Craig, daughter Amy, and son Travis. Kym holds a Diploma in Human resources, B-Ed in Early Years Education, MACTE 3 – 6 Montessori Diploma, and AMI 6 – 12 Diploma.

Kym has lectured both nationally and internationally and regularly delivers presentations at parent evenings, workshops and the SAMA conferences as well as other ECD conferences in South Africa.  She has served the greater Montessori community by leading the South African Montessori Association (SAMA) as President 2016 and 2017 and serving on the Executive Committee for over 6 years.

Head of Pre-Primary

Toddler Guide

Toddler Support Guide

Preschool Guide

Toddler Support Guide

Preschool Guide

Guide: (3-6 environment). BA Montessori Diploma 3-6 years

After graduating from UCT with a BA in Gender Studies and English Literature, Anki was looking for another challenge as she was not feeling fulfilled in her role as restaurant manager. Her family reminded her of her own Montessori journey, which started at age 3, and suggested she returned to her roots. She enrolled at the Indaba Institute in Stellenbosch and graduated with an Internationally recognised AMI Montessori Diploma for the 3-6 age group. Through this training, her passion for community and love for guiding and learning was ignited.

Anki started her Montessori journey teaching in Pretoria and is very excited to be back amongst the mountains of Hout Bay. Outside of the classroom, Anki can be found playing the piano, behind a sewing machine or swimming up a river.

Anki believes music is a wonderful tool that can be used towards fostering connections and can often be found singing or playing her ukulele with the children she guides. She is passionate about holding space for each child in her environment grounded in love, respect and curiosity.

Mathematics & Biology. BSc PGCSE

Chelsey grew up in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town and began her academic journey at the University of Cape Town, where she earned a Bachelor of Science, specialising in Genetics, Human Anatomy, and Physiology. She continued her studies at the same institution, completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with a focus on Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Life Sciences.

Chelsey is deeply passionate about education, viewing it as a powerful tool for empowerment. She is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment, where her students feel encouraged to thrive. Her educational philosophy centres on nurturing well-rounded individuals and promoting a love of lifelong learning.

Preschool Support Guide

Preschool Support Guide

Preschool Support Guide

Junior Primary Guide

Having 6 year’s experience as a social worker in many different settings she appreciates the need for a prepared environment to aid children’s development. Rabecca comes from a family of teachers and believes that children have diverse ways of expressing themselves and finds satisfaction and enjoyment in facilitating their learning and development.

She holds an Advanced Diploma in Community Development and Early Childhood Education (NQF 5) as well as AMI 3-6, and 6 – 12 Orientation certification. In her spare time you will find Rabecca spending time outdoors, exploring nature. 

Junior Primary Guide

Paige is a gentle and kind educator dedicated to nurturing young minds. She holds a BA, where she majored in English and Psychology as well as a PGCE in Foundation Phase Teaching.  She has further enhanced her teaching skills by completing a Montessori Elementary course through the Montessori Centre South Africa.

Paige’s teaching journey began as a 6-9 assistant, where she quickly discovered her affinity for the Montessori Method. She instantly recognized its unique approach to education and has since deepened her love for teaching within this framework.

A lifelong lover of art, Paige pursued this passion throughout her schooling and now enjoys sharing her enthusiasm with the children, integrating creative expression into her lessons. Guided by the words of Dr. Seuss, “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax. All you need is a book,” Paige inspires the children to explore the wonders of learning and imagination. With her blend of academic knowledge and heartfelt dedication, she creates a wonderful learning environment for every child in her care.

Senior Primary Guide

Jessica is a mature, vibrant, empathetic, and creative teacher.  She is in the final year of her BEd degree and regularly attends workshops and webinars to enhance her Montessori practice.

Jessica loves spending time with children and watching them thrive in their learning environment. She is passionate about animals and loves helping at animal welfares.  A quote she lives by is ”If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney. 

Senior Primary Guide

Mae discovered Montessori while searching for a more effective way to assist her students. What she stumbled upon was a philosophy that resonated deeply with her core belief – The Enlightened Generalist.

Mae embodies the Montessori philosophy by striving to explore as much of what the world has to offer as possible. Her pursuits range from hockey to gardening, scouting to volunteering efforts, and from immersing herself in fiction to pursuing her next qualification.

Geography. BSc, PGCE.

Grade 7 Tutor.

Afrikaans

English(BA Hons)

History and Drama. BA, PDEM, PGCE

Chemistry & Biology, BEd

Jessica is an enthusiastic and dedicated Biology and Chemistry teacher with a BEd degree specializing in high school sciences. With experience teaching in a Johannesburg high school, she became passionate in helping students succeed by instilling the value of hard work and persistence. Her teaching approach emphasizes the importance of balance, encouraging her students to excel academically while also nurturing strong friendships and pursuing extracurricular activities.

Outside the classroom, Jessica loves the outdoors, particularly hiking. She also values time with family and believes that the best success comes when life and learning are in harmony.

Business Studies Teacher, B.Soc.Sci, PGCSE

Sarah started off her career in Human Resources as a Recruitment Consultant for a Personnel firm in Pietermaritzburg. After a 6 year tenure, she decided to leave the corporate world and pursue her passion in Education. Sarah holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Marketing, a Diploma in Business Management and  a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

Sarah has a genuine passion for teaching and encourages her students to be hands on, active participants in their learning journey. Not only does she aim to enrich the minds of her students, she also aims to enrich their souls and create a space for the students to feel safe, genuinely cared for and respected. Sarah believes that every student is different and she is passionate about structuring their learning environment in a manner that calls on each student’s individual strengths, in order for them to become the best possible versions of themselves so that they can flourish as successful members of society.

Sarah has a hunger for knowledge and is also an avid nature lover – in her free time, you can find Sarah, reading, writing or being outdoors.

Art, BAFA PGCE

Christian heads up the Art Department. Having taught at both government and private schools around South Africa, as well as at LIS in Germany, he shares his skills, knowledge and passion for the Visual Arts with the students.

In his spare time, he draws, paints, and writes, as well as playing tabletop games. He is an avid climber who enjoys spending time in the mountains, and hiking around Cape Town with his wife and their three dogs.

BEng PGCE

Franzl recently moved to Cape Town after completing his Post Graduate Certificate of Education at The Two Oceans Graduate Institute. After working as a mechanical engineer in the petrochemical industry for 3 years, Franzl decided to transition into teaching in search of a more rewarding career and has been a teacher for 3 years and a tutor for 7 years now.

In his leisure time, Franzl enjoys long walks in nature, exploring the picturesque Cape, and ‘tinkering’ with technology.

Spanish

Geraldine was born in Lima- Peru. She graduated from Instituto Pedagógico Nacional Monterrico and has a Bachelor of Education degree in teaching Foreign Languages and a Second Specialty in Primary Education.

She holds a minor degree in International Business Administration. Geraldine moved to Cape Town in 2013 and after a break from teaching she started teaching Spanish privately to children and then to people of different ages. Geraldine has worked as a Spanish interpreter for the Tourism Industry and has a passion for human connection.

She loves teaching and enjoys imparting the Spanish Language to all the ones who want to learn.

Mathematics, Bed

Manfred started his teaching career by teaching English to children of all ages in Taiwan and South Korea.  His interest in Mathematics began when studying a Bachelors degree in Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, where he majored in Mathematics and Economics. 

He spent many years teaching Mathematics at a public High school in Claremont prior to working in Education technology, where he helped to develop online Mathematics courses for a couple of online schools.

In his free time Manfred enjoys swimming, yoga, working in the garden and hiking in the mountains. It is important to maintain a good work-life balance in order to provide a stable learning environment.

Manfred enjoys working with sharp-minded youth, as this helps to generate positive energy and contribute to the greater good of society.  It is also his belief that the youth needs to be equipped with critical thinking and analytical skills in order to pave the best possible path for the future.  

Admissions Officer

Primary School Administration

Accounts Assistant

Shana has always been in a leadership role for the past 15 years in a more administrative environment. Her drive for knowledge and broadening her skills landed her the opportunity in Finance.

She has a passion for the wellbeing of children especially being a single mother of 4 kids.  She loves long walks in the outdoors and the quiet and peacefulness of her home in Hout bay.

Estate Manager

Cleaner: High School Campus

Cleaner: Montessori Campus

Groundsman

Groundsman