Working Groups

• The Admin Group’s key responsibilities are the administration of the school, including secretarial, accounting and enrolment.  The Admin Group meets on a weekly basis and provides support for the teaching staff and children and parents in a myriad ways.

  Full time current members: Lesley Swart (chair and enrolment secretary), Faiza Abdurahman (reception secretary), Jane Johnston (bursar), Jen Craig (financial administrator, Anza Fischer (accounts assistant). Part time members: Richard Cox (administrator), Marion Penfold (sponsorship administrator), Michael Archer (hall hiring administrator) and Charles Abbott (Leaflet editor).

• The Debtors Group’s key responsibilities are to ensure the collecting of outstanding fees in terms of the policies adopted by the school and to assist the Bursar in this regard.

  Current members: Jane Johnston (chair), Julie Fischer and Richard Cox.

• The Audit Group’s key responsibilities are to interact with the auditors and ensure the preparation of the annual financial statements for approval by the Tustees.

  Current members: Jen Craig, Julie Fischer (chair) and Steven Sollinger.

• The Links Working Group’s key responsibility is to co-ordinate the meetings and work of the Class Links.

  Current members: Debbie Ludik, Tereza Whittaker, Trinity Loubser (chair), Claudia McCaig and Richard Cox.

• The Bursaries Group’s key responsibility is the allocation of bursaries to applicants. Each of the faculties is represented in the Group.

• The PR & Marketing Group’s key responsibility is to promote Michael Oak through various means including word of mouth, promotional material, workshops, alumni, and the web-site.

  Current members: Charles Abbott, Douwe Raaths (chair), Genevieve Langenhoven, Gonzalo Aguilar, Josie Grindrod, Julie Zander, Peter Digby, Richard Cox and Rob Macdonald.

• The Fundraising & Enrolment Group’s key responsibilities are to: monitor the current and future enrolment at the school and highlight problems to be addressed, and to make sure that fundraising projects are in place, and being managed appropriately.

  Current members: Genevieve Langenhoven, Lesley Swart, Richard Cox and Rob Macdonald.

• The Accommodation & Development Group’s key responsibility is to develop and monitor the building master plan for the school by considering the current and future accommodation needs of the school.

  Current members: Anne Coop, Greg Mann, Gonzalo Aguilar, Richard Cox and Winifred Bond (chair).

• The Green Group’s key responsibility is to explore and promote environmental issues and solutions at Michael Oak.

  Current members: Shehnaaz Moosa (chair).

• The Garden Group’s key responsibilities are to develop a master plan for the gardens and to oversee the ongoing maintenance of the gardens.

  Current members: Natalie Dorward and Richard Cox.

• The Safety and Security Group’s key responsibilities are to develop an overall plan for the safety and security of the school’s people and assets and to put in place policies and procedures to ensure this plan is adhered to.

  Current members: Sebastian Miehe, Randall Ernstzen and Richard Cox (chair).

• The Fair Committee’s key responsibility is the smooth running of the annual fair. Class 6 elects co-ordinators for portfolios for the fair, e.g. Craft, Food, Utilities and Publicity. The school appoints a Fair Administrator to handle the extra administration involved.

  Current members: Fair administrator: Tarryn George.  Class 6 members of the group: Nikki Clarke (overall co-ordinator), Genevieve Langenhoven, Katy Menell, Julie Fischer, Josie Grindrod, Michael Archer, Sebastian Miehe, Pen Jack, Hayley Hayes-Roberts, Laurie Rose-Innes, Caron von Zeil and Claire Shields.

• The Diversity Group’s key responsibility is to explore and promote diversity at Michael Oak.

  Current members: Anne Emmett, Josie Grindrod, Karen Collett, Leigh Whitesman, Noeleen Murray Cook and Shehnaaz Moosa.

• Make a Difference (“MAD”) Group. Sebastian Miehe co-ordinates a large group of enthusiastic parents who work at maintaining the school once a month on a Saturday, painting, mending etc. Please contact him on info@michaeloak.org.za if you would like to join this group.



• The Michael Oak Stitchers. A group of parents, ex-parents, staff members and other enthusiasts who produce (fantastic, dazzling, stunning..!) embroidered bed quilts and fibre-art wall hangings. The funds generated by this group go towards the Bursary Fund. If you would like to join us, please contact Lesley Swart on lswart@michaeloak.org.za.