QUISTYNN VELDSCHOEN AND BOEMO SELLO

Ms Rumarie van der Walt recently joined St Michael’s as the new Mathematics teacher, replacing Mrs Elizabeth Venter. Before becoming a Maths teacher, she studied Human Movement Science, obtained an Honours degree in Sports Science and completed a post-graduate diploma in education (PGCE). She discovered that she enjoyed Mathematics when she taught Master Maths at Grey. She was appointed at Sand du Plessis High School prior to St Michael’s.

   If she is not drinking a coffee or enjoying a braai with friends, she is preparing for a cycling race. Ms Van der Walt participated in the exhausting Cape Town Cycle Tour of 109 km this year. Despite adverse weather conditions – cold, wind and rain –  she was able to finish in less than four hours, which is an exceptional achievement. She also rode the Maluti Double 90 Race which took place in Clarens in April. The Maluti Double 90 is a 180-km race ridden in a team of twelve people. Ms Van der Walt and her team trained with a view to finish the race in under seven hours – a goal they achieved.

   Ms Rumarie van der Walt plays badminton and netball and enjoys swimming, hiking and any physical activities, except running.

   She describes herself as an extrovert who is extremely energetic and finds joy in helping others. An interesting fact about Ms Van der Walt is that she was a SA hammer-throw athlete in her matric year.

   Ms Van der Walt is constantly looking to improve her teaching skills and methods in order to help the learners achieve their best. Thus far she really enjoys working at St Michael’s and already feels part of the family. Initially she came to St Michael’s because she was looking for a new challenge but she soon found herself falling in love with SMS and the academic air prevalent at the school. She loves how everyone she teaches is willing to learn and work hard in order to get somewhere in life.