Tony Marshall

Tony Marshall joins the SEA as an Evaluator.

Capetonian by birth, Tony was schooled at Kimberley Boys’ High. He enjoyed hostel life and many co-curricular activities. At Stellenbosch University he completed the HDE (1978) and a BA Honours degree in English (1985). Further part-time study at Stellenbosch University led to a master’s degree in education (with distinction) in 1994; the dissertation was an empirical study of the role of subject leaders in curriculum innovation. In 2010 he was awarded the Advanced Certificate in Education: School Leadership, with distinction, from UCT.

Tony believes all basic education should be focused on preparing young people for lives of dignity. He believes teachers play a critical role in using curriculum to develop their learners’ values and skills for life, and that a school’s past learners are an indication of a school’s success.

His teaching career started at Paarl Gymnasium, continued at Paarl Boys’ High, Fairmont High, Strand High and he was appointed principal of Oude Molen THS in 2006. Apart from teaching English, opportunities for learner leadership development in co-curricular activities drew Tony to supporting RCLs, directing one-act plays and coaching sport. To improve his own capacities, he attended and then designed and presented professional development seminars. He served in senior leadership positions in his union, on the Provincial Principals’ Forum and the Western Cape’s Minister of Education’s Education Council (2021 – 2022).

Tony served as Chief Examiner of The English Olympiad, the Taalbond Bilingualism Examination and as Internal Moderator of the National Senior Certificate’s English Home Language Paper 1. He was a Western Province rugby referee, ran half marathons, and is a bereavement counsellor.

After 40 years in education, in 2019 Tony swopped teaching for supporting School Governing Bodies (SGB). As the FEDSAS provincial manager, he developed great respect for thoughtful, energetic SGBs that design and implement legitimate policies. Good policies are essential for school improvement. Tony is appointed as an evaluator for the Schools Evaluation Authority.

Gerald Hamman

Gerald Hamman joins the SEA as an Evaluator.

Gerald Hamman was born in Kuilsrivier where he attended Kuilsrivier Primary School. Gerald attended Bellville South Secondary School.

Gerald studied at The University of the Western Cape with majors in Biblical Studies, Sociology and Afrikaans. He completed his Higher Diploma in Education at the University of South Africa.

He started his teaching career at Bellville South Secondary School and then went to Sarepta Secondary School, where he was appointed as Departmental Head. While he was teaching, he also completed his B. ED Honours Degree at the University of the Western Cape and went further and completed his B.A. Honours degree at the University of South Africa.

In 2008 he was acting Deputy Principal at Sarepta Secondary School and in 2009 he was appointed as Deputy Principal. He was also Acting Principal in 2019 at Sarepta Secondary School, the year in which he retired.

While teaching he was an examiner for Biblical Studies for a number of years and in 2009, he was appointed Internal Moderator for Religion studies. Since 2022 he has been a supervisor to the student teachers during their teaching practice period in the Faculty of Education at The University of the Western Cape. He was also appointed as monitor for the National Senior Certificate by the Western Cape Education Department for 2022 and 2023.

He is a firm believer that the child always comes first. Gerald is honoured to be appointed as an evaluator in the office of the Western Cape Schools Evaluation Authority (SEA).

HYLTON HARRIS

Hylton joins the SEA as an Evaluator.

Hylton has experience in various roles within the education sector, both nationally and internationally and demonstrates a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and support services. Hylton’s roles and responsibilities in education are as follows.

1. Early Career and Education:
   • Started his school career in Paarl.
   • Furthered his studies at the Universities of Western Cape and Stellenbosch, completing the BA(HOD), B.Ed., and M.Ed. degrees.
2. Teaching Career:
   • Initiated teaching career in Paarl as a teacher at a secondary school, teaching languages and as a Departmental Head at an FET school in Kuilsrivier teaching languages and Tourism.
3. International Experience:
   • Spent time abroad in Denmark (Farum) as a guest of the Danish Cultural Institute, lecturing at schools, in the Netherlands (Arnhem) doing research and attending training seminars at CiTO, as a cycle coordinator for languages, in collaboration with the American University of Beirut.
4. Collaboration with CPUT:
   • Worked with Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in the Multigrade teacher training project, training and supporting teachers with the multigrade curriculum.
5. Advisory Role:
   • Hylton took up the position as an adviser for Special Needs Education in 2006 at the Cape Winelands and West Coast regions where he supported schools, learners and teachers with learners experiencing barriers to learning.
6. Provincial Program Manager:
   • Moved to Head Office in 2016 and served as the Provincial Programme Manager for Learning Support.
7. District Leadership:
   • In 2017, he assumed the position as Head: Learner Support in the Overberg Education District.
8. Chief Education Specialist:
   • In 2019, he assumed the position of Chief Education Specialist: Specialised Support Services, overseeing Social Work, Psychology, Clinical Services, Therapy Services, Learning Support, Positive Behaviour, and Full-Service Schools until 2023.

LYRICE TRUSSELL

Lyrice Trussell joins the SEA Team as an Evaluator

Lyrice Trussell is an educationist who completed her first teaching qualification at Wesley Teachers’ Training College. She continued with a National Professional Diploma in Education at the University of the Western Cape and B.Ed. Hons in Curriculum Studies at Stellenbosch University with a focus on the Philosophy of Education, Cognitive Education, Environmental Education, Education Innovation, Didactics, Didactics in Educational Leadership, Education Management and Education Research. Lyrice’s other qualifications are as as Accredited Moderator, Accredited Assessor and Accredited Mentor, all achieved through the University of the North West.

Lyrice spent more than 20 years as a teacher in a variety of schools, after which she joined the WCED in the Metro South Education District as a Curriculum Advisor, a role she held for 12 years. She then joined the Centre for Pedagogy at the Education Faculty at Stellenbosch University, where she was actively involved in on-going teacher professional learning programmes. Courses she taught were:

• Advanced Diploma in Education (ADE) in Mathematics FET, GET and IP. Modules taught were Mentorship and Coaching, Curriculum Management, General Pedagogy and Work Integrated Learning.
• Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE): Modules taught were School Leadership and Management, Lead and Manage the Curriculum, Mentoring School Leaders, School Leadership in Teaching and Learning, Understanding Education Leadership in the SA Context, Assessment, General School Leadership and Management and Language and Communication in School Leadership and Management.

Lyrice possesses a large volume of knowledge, skills and competencies integral to education, both in basic education as well as in higher education.

In 2005 and 2006 she spent time at Wisconsin University, Madison, with a focus on teacher professional learning.

Lyrice believes that servitude means a whole range of values: being self-motivated, optimistic, co-operative, reliable, loyal, honest, sincere, polite, committed, respectful, a respect for difference and diversity, social justice activism, being a team player and is unapologetically committed to the belief that the whole exceeds the sum of its parts. Lyrice joins the SEA as an Evaluator.

NANDIPHA MAJODINA

Nandipha joins the SEA Team as an Evaluator

Nandipha has a Primary Teachers Diploma, a Bachelor of Arts Degree, an Honours Degree as well as Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Management. Nandipha was employed by the Western Cape Education Department for 36 years. During this time, she rose through the ranks from being a Foundation Phase Educator for 13 years, a Departmental Head for 7 years, a Deputy Principal for 5 years and concluded her tenure as a Principal for 10 years.

Throughout her tenure, she has both witnessed and experienced a variety of changes within the education sector. These include, but are not limited to changes in the curriculum, the introduction of the concept of ‘governing bodies’, as well as that of Grade R classes.

In 2012, Nandipha became one of the Lead Teachers who was responsible for training Educators for CAPS and was later recognized as the best Deputy Principal in the circuit. As a Principal, she promoted a culture of quality teaching and learning, which was evident in the improvement of the systemic results for Mathematics, which increased from 11% to 71% and Languages, which increased from 22% to 54%.

Tinus du Preez

Tinus joins the SEA Team as an Evaluator

Tinus du Preez was born in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and attended public schools in both KZN and Gauteng. He obtained a professional teaching qualification and later earned a B.A Degree, Honours Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology with distinction (Cum Laude) from the University of Pretoria.

Mr. du Preez began his career as a Grade 4 teacher before transitioning to become a Mathematics teacher (Gr 8 to 12) in a Special School. After qualifying as a psychologist, he worked in various schools in Gauteng as an Educational Psychologist.

In 2003, Tinus du Preez was appointed as the Principal of the School of Achievement in Gauteng, a position he held until his retirement in December 2023. Throughout his career, he was actively involved in various educational task teams focusing on important areas such as Inclusive Education and Teacher Development. He was involved in the writing of the SIAS policy. He also contributed to the HEDCOM Finance committee in the National Department of Education overseeing financial expenditure in the various provincial education departments.

Mr. du Preez played a significant role as a mentor for other principals in Gauteng and was involved in capacity building initiatives for Governing Bodies at Special Schools.

Mr. du Preez was actively involved in various union matters, acting as provincial chairperson as well as national Vice-President of his union.

Paul Besener

Paul joins the SEA Team as an Evaluator

Paul was born in the Eastern Cape and attended Pearson High School in Gqeberha. He loved school and it was here that teaching as a career became a reality. The extra-mural activities, friends and the camaraderie at school determined that this would be the environment in which he would “live” his life. After school he read for a BA. Ed. degree, majoring in Geography and Psychology, followed by a BA(Hons) in Clinical Psychology at the University of Port Elizabeth, which later became the Nelson Mandela University. This progressed into an M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling Psychology at Rhodes University and a D.S.E. in Remedial Education from UNISA.

After moving to Cape Town, he started his teaching career at Fairbairn College. Thereafter he was appointed Head of Guidance and Counselling at Milnerton High School in 1987.

In 1993 he became Deputy Principal and then Principal of Tafelberg Remedial School, before being appointed Headmaster of Milnerton High in 2005.

He revelled in the challenge of lifting Milnerton to become one of the most sought-after schools in the area. He is extremely proud of the way the teaching staff and learners united in their quest to embrace excellence. He inspired the teachers, and learners, to be the best that they could be and made sure that they had space to express themselves, when they rose to the challenge. He had a hands-on approach with the learners and always tried to meet them in their realm and their context, encouraging them to overcome their challenges using the tools and opportunities that the school provided, whether in the classroom, on the sports field or on the stage. This is where, he believes, real life lessons, character and citizenship are developed.

Paul believes that life is for living, and that fun and passion should underpin any human endeavour that is coupled with all the important values that we teach and endeavour to live by, namely integrity, honesty, respect and accountability. After 41 years in education, he joins the SEA as an Evaluator.

Stephen Price

Stephen joins the SEA Team as an Evaluator

Stephen Price is a distinguished educator with over four decades of experience in shaping the lives of learners across the Western Cape. A passionate and transformative leader, he served as principal of Bergvliet High School, one of the region’s top-performing institutions, until his retirement in March 2023. During his tenure at Bergvliet High, Stephen oversaw significant demographic changes and maintained the school’s reputation for academic excellence, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and inclusion.

Stephen was called back to the chalkface in July 2023 to take on the role of caretaker principal at Lotus High School in Grassy Park, a struggling school that had ranked as the Western Cape’s lowest-performing school in the 2022 National Senior Certificate examinations. With a hands-on approach, he tackled challenges such as high absenteeism, substance abuse, and low morale. Under his leadership, Lotus High underwent a remarkable turnaround, with the matric pass rate rising from 32% in mid-2023 to 83.3% in 2024. Price’s initiatives included fostering school pride through the creation of a school song, upgrading facilities, and securing community support.

A veteran educator, Price’s career spans multiple other schools, including Pinelands High, Athlone High, Heathfield High, Plumstead High, and Wynberg Boys’ High, reflecting his commitment to teaching children from all backgrounds.

After stepping down as principal of Lotus High at the end of the first term in 2025, he continues to serve as the school’s Brand Ambassador. As an accomplished public speaker, Stephen has a passion for staff development and has trained hundreds of educators in the use of interactive whiteboards, progressive discipline and other topics. Known for his visionary leadership, resilience, and dedication to equitable education, Stephen Price remains a pivotal figure in South African schooling, inspiring hope and driving sustainable change wherever he goes.

Stephen joins the ranks of the SEA as an evaluator.

Ruth Raubenheimer

With a prolific career spanning national and international education systems, Ruth Raubenheimer has excelled in diverse leadership roles across primary and high school levels. Her expertise lies in education consultancy, where she has played a pivotal role in school improvement initiatives. Additionally, Ruth has made significant contributions to the development of Mathematics curricula and assessments, advancing educational excellence.

Ruth has accomplished significant personal academic milestones, having successfully earned a master’s in education from Murdoch University and completed a Senior Leadership Program at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.

Ruth's personal achievements and commitment to excellence propelled her to the role of Lead Evaluator at the School Evaluation Authority in Western Cape, South Africa, from October 2021 to September 2023. In this capacity, she conducted meticulous evaluations, ensuring clarity in purpose and procedural detail. Engaging with school leadership, observing lessons, and systematically collecting data, she assessed schools against established standards. Ruth's dedication to transparency and accountability is evident in the comprehensive evaluation reports she provided, facilitating continuous improvement.

As a Mathematics Lead Consultant at Education Development Trust, Ruth collaborated with UNICEF in Jordan to roll out a Learning Support Services programme for the Makani Project.

As the Lead Mathematics Strategist at SAAL Education, Ruth partnered with educational institutions, playing a key role in creating and reviewing online content.

Ruth, with significant tenure at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) as an Academic Quality Improvement Officer, contributed to innovative school improvement initiatives by actively engaging school leadership.

Before her UAE experience, Ruth demonstrated leadership as a deputy-principal and departmental head in South Africa.

With experience in the education systems of South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ruth brings a comprehensive global perspective, enhancing her ability to navigate and uphold international standards within the education sector.

Keriston Floris

Mr Keriston Floris is a distinguished educational leader with over 30 years of dedicated service within the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). He brings a wealth of expertise in special education, strategic management, and school governance.

Throughout his career, Mr Floris has held key leadership roles, including five years as Principal of Mary Harding Special School and eight years as Deputy Principal at Vera School for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). His experience is grounded in a deep understanding of learners with Severe Intellectual Disability (SID), Profound Intellectual Disability (PID) and ASD.

Key Qualifications & Education:

BA-Degree and Higher Diploma in Education (UPE).
ACE in Leadership & Management (UCT).
Graduate of the Principals Academy Trust

Mr Floris is a specialist in curriculum implementation, notably in tracking learner progress and establishing skill-based programmes for older learners. His leadership extends to managing School Improvement Plans (SIP), guiding Quality Management Systems (QMS), and mentoring staff to ensure high-quality educational outcomes.

Beyond academics, he has extensive experience in managing challenging behaviour and coordinating with external stakeholders like SAPS, the Department of Health, and Social Services. A proficient communicator in English and Afrikaans, Mr Floris is known for his collaborative approach and his ability to provide fair, strategic judgments that drive school excellence.

Wendy Colyn

Wendy Colyn is many things — teacher, researcher, mentor, manager, and champion of quality education.

Her journey began at Stellenbosch University, where she qualified as a primary school teacher and spent seven rewarding years in the classroom. Never one to stop learning, she went on to earn a master’s degree in Maths Education from the University of Cape Town — because why make numbers easy when you can make them fascinating?

That passion for maths education led her to UCT's research and development unit, where she became one of the founding members of the Maths Education Project (MEP). Over five years, she lectured student teachers, designed in-service training courses for maths teachers, and rolled up her sleeves to provide hands-on, classroom-based support to educators at under-resourced schools. She also developed teaching and learning resources and published several research articles in accredited journals — proving that great ideas are worth sharing.

From there, Wendy stepped into leadership as Manager of the Thousand Schools Project in the Western Cape, before joining the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in 1996 as a Circuit Manager. For nearly 25 years, she guided and supported schools across the Grabouw, Kleinmond, Greater Hermanus, Stanford, and Gansbaai areas.

Since 2021, Wendy has brought her wealth of experience to two NGOs focused on Student Teacher Intern Programmes, where she continues to shape the next generation of educators as an education consultant.