Our school
Wise Owl truly is a little school with a big heart. As mothers ourselves, we know that childhood is short, and we do our best to make your child’s school experience as magical and as joyful as it should be. We believe in old-fashioned values such as kindness, inclusivity and respect and we are proud of our reputation – not only as an excellent place of education, but as a happy school where children and parents are guided and supported every step of the way.
Why choose us?
- We have a long-standing reputation as a safe and loving school.
- We make plenty of time for play – happy children learn best.
- We focus on the emotional and social growth of each child.
- Our teachers are enthusiastic, inspired and highly qualified.
- We are a community-oriented school and encourage lots of parental involvement.
- Our classes are small, so teachers can see to the needs of each child.
- Our classrooms inspire learning and our shady, child-friendly outdoor playground is both spacious and safe.
- We are fully Covid-compliant and have regular checks by the Department of Social Development.
Meet Karen
(OWNER AND PRINCIPAL)
Karen Steinhofel is the principal and owner of Wise Owl and is qualified as both a primary school and a pre-primary school teacher. Karen began her teaching career at Kirstenhof Primary School in 1977 and, after realizing the need for a quality preschool in the area, she founded Wise Owl in 1984 where she taught the Grade R class for 23 years. Karen has lived in Kirstenhof for forty years and has had the privilege of watching it grow from a rural village to the thriving community it is today. Karen’s husband, an avid gardener and nature-lover, tends to the lush gardens and koi pond and helps to look after the bunnies and guinea pigs (and occasional visiting chickens) in our outside animal enclosure. Karen has two wonderful adult children and is a devoted and hands-on grandmother to her four young grandchildren.
In her role as principal, Karen remains intimately involved in running the school, supporting her teaching staff and being involved with each and every little one at Wise Owl as well as their families. As Wise Owl is at its essence a community school, we encourage a great deal of parental involvement, and Karen organizes a range of fun events, outings and concerts for families throughout the school year.
Karen is immensely proud of her wonderful teachers. Not only do they possess a wealth of experience and knowledge on child development, but they remain committed to making our school the best it can possibly be. Read more about our groups here.
