Primary School at Elsen
At Elsen Academy Primary School learners are seen, heard and valued. We provide a structured, nurturing learning environment that caters for neurodiverse learners, recognising that every child’s learning journey is unique. Through honest assessment and early identification of learning needs, we are able to intervene timeously, knowing that early intervention makes a lasting difference.
Primary school structure
Classes are intentionally small, with a maximum of 14 learners, allowing educators to teach with empathy and care while responding to individual learning profiles. Each grade has one dedicated class, creating consistency, stability and a strong sense of belonging.
Most classes are supported by an additional facilitator, enabling ongoing remediation alongside teaching, without removing learners from the classroom experience.
Our teaching and support is firmly rooted in the values of Honesty, Empathy, Acceptance and Respect (H.E.A.R.). These values guide how we teach, support our learners, and build meaningful relationships within our school community.
Our commitment to acceptance and respect is reflected in our integrated support model. Elsen Academy offers on-site therapeutic services, including:
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- NILD Therapy
- Remedial Mathematics, English and Afrikaans
This collaborative approach ensures that learners receive the support they need in a dignified, inclusive and supportive environment.
The Elsen Academy Primary School forms part of a well-established school with a strong academic track record, including a 100% matric pass rate, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of our holistic and values-driven approach to education.
Foundation Phase (Grades 1-3)
Elsen Primary School’s Foundation Phase offers a calm, nurturing learning environment designed for children who benefit from smaller classes and a more individualised approach. With years of experience supporting diverse learning needs, this phase is particularly supportive for children who may become overwhelmed in larger classrooms or who need additional guidance to reach their potential. We focus on building strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and life skills, while also nurturing confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning. Learners are encouraged to progress at their own pace, with success measured by personal growth as much as academic achievement.
Our approach is holistic and child-centred, combining personalised teaching, small-group or one-on-one support, and a range of practical, sensory, and movement-friendly strategies. Integrated therapies, specialised learning aids, and thoughtfully designed spaces help learners feel safe, regulated, and ready to engage. At Elsen Primary, we see each child as a whole person and guide them with care, experience, and respect toward their full potential.
Meet our Foundation Phase team
Grade 1 Teacher – Marizia Barkhuizen
Grade 2 Teacher – Jenna Bezuidenhout
Grade 3 Teacher – Chanté Clarke
Facilitators – Joy Barber and Miranda Van Zyl Rudd
Miss Jenna Bezuidenhout
Head of Department Foundation Phase
I have been part of the Elsen Academy family for over 10 years, serving as a Grade 2 teacher, Head of Department, and Sports Coordinator. Teaching at Elsen is more than a role to me — it is a calling rooted in experience, passion, and a deep belief in every child’s potential. I have seen first-hand how a nurturing, structured environment can transform learners’ confidence, resilience, and love of learning, especially those who need extra guidance to thrive. My philosophy is simple: give your best, even when progress takes time, because meaningful growth follows consistent care and effort. In my classroom and across our Foundation Phase, I focus on building strong academic foundations while helping children feel safe, capable, and valued — the kind of environment where learners flourish and where parents can trust their children are truly supported.
“As a parent, it is a joy to see my child excited to go to school each day. Elsen Academy nurtures both their learning and their heart. Every learner is valued.”
– Azola and Mudiwa Kandanga
Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-6)
The Intermediate Phase at Elsen Primary School follows the CAPS curriculum through a structured yet flexible approach that reflects our years of experience supporting diverse learners. Teaching is carefully paced and adapted to ensure understanding, confidence, and meaningful engagement, while still maintaining strong academic standards. Small class sizes allow for close learner–teacher relationships, and lessons are supported by facilitators who provide individual guidance, helping learners access the curriculum with confidence and consistency.
Our teaching is intentional, responsive, and focused on steady progress. Concepts are reinforced through repetition, scaffolding, and ongoing remediation, ensuring learning gaps are addressed as they arise. Fair assessment practices, appropriate accommodations, and the daily use of technology further support each learner’s needs. The Intermediate Phase at Elsen bridges the foundation and senior years with care and purpose, developing resilient, capable learners who feel supported, understood, and prepared to succeed.
Meet our Intermediate Phase teachers
Meet our Intermediate Phase team:
Mrs Linya van Niekerk (HOD)
Mrs Tanya Cummins
Mrs Janine Maritz
Mrs Evelyn Andrews
Ms Megan Hird
Mrs Ammaarah Dowers
Ms Vanessa Saayman
Ms Emma Hanslow
About Linya van Niekerk
Head of Department, Intermediate Phase
I started at Elsen Academy in 2016 as a facilitator and am currently Head of the Intermediate Phase. My philosophy has always been that every learner tries their best, even if they fail a couple of times. I am a firm believer in the ‘underdog’ story. If you put your mind to it, you will eventually get where you need to be.
Grade 7
Grade 7 at Elsen Academy is a carefully guided stepping stone into the Senior Phase, and for many learners it is the most valuable year to make a change. Moving your child in Grade 7 allows us the time to gently prepare them for the academic, organisational, and technological demands of high school without rushing the process. Learners are gradually introduced to increased independence, structured assessments, and the use of digital tools, all within a supportive and well-scaffolded environment. This thoughtful transition reduces anxiety, strengthens foundations, and helps children enter Grade 8 with confidence, readiness, and a sense of “I can do this.”
What truly sets Elsen apart is the way we shape schooling around the learner, not the other way around. With small classes, daily revision and remediation, in-class facilitation, and on-site therapeutic support, learning gaps are addressed as they arise rather than left to grow. Every child is understood, supported, and challenged in an inclusive environment where no one feels singled out. Grade 7 learners also begin to step into leadership roles and greater responsibility, building maturity and resilience alongside academic skills. At Elsen Academy, we don’t just prepare learners for the next grade — we prepare them for the journey ahead, with care, patience, and the steady guidance that only years of experience can provide.
Therapy
Elsen Academy offers a comprehensive range of on-site therapies and support services, allowing learners to access the assistance they need during the school day in a structured and supportive environment. This integrated approach minimises disruption to learning while ensuring timely and effective intervention.
elsen@elsen.co.za
21 Bird Street, Central
Gqeberha, 6001
+27 41 582 3289
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