I’m Yvonne Marry Magdalene Downing residing in the Western Cape. Originally born in Montagu. I have completed my tertiary studies at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

I am an enthusiastic, goal-driven and very optimistic person who is crazy about exploring the unknown and venturing into each chapter

My passion for teaching started at the age of 9 years old, imaginary play teaching to bricks which was seen as my learners. As a qualified teacher I completed 45 years teaching at schools in the Western Cape. After taking the package, my interests were directed towards teaching abroad. The United Kingdom schools offered me an opportunity to enrich my experience. Been so fortunate to have been evaluated by the OFSTED inspection at Tudor Court Primary school Grays, Essex County.

My teaching methodology was graded good and above. Wonderful knowledge and guidance enhanced my desire to improve even more. The experience of teaching the British Curriculum for 6 years abroad, thoroughly embedded the ability to teach the Caps approach well, with the utmost of confidence.

My anxiousness to gain more teaching in other Curriculums was in in the Middle East. Fortunately I have been exposed to the American Curriculum and appreciate their literacy assessment namely their six-point scale, as well as their reading / voc approach planted the seed inside me  to foster the in our learners the love for reading and writing.

Teaching abroad cultivated the notion in opening my own private school, Renaissance Private School in 2015. Which range from foundation phase till senior phase. My husband Stephen was the driving point behind all my ventures about the school. My staff are privileged to be surrounded by a principal with a wealth of experience and generously trained and guide them how to enrich our learners academically. Not just that but also to model teaching sessions as to steer our young seedlings into the sphere of a wealth of knowledge and skills. It is such an enjoyment to observe our grade 1 reading in a short space of time being just eight to ten days at school at the beginning of the year.

Lastly; growing old gracefully but making peace that I will leave a legacy in education.