Leadership Team
Over 180 Years of Combined Experience
Guided by Purpose, Grounded in Experience
Seaton House is supported by a deeply committed leadership team with decades of combined experience across education, governance, and community development. While we are finalising the full composition of our Board in line with our founding governance framework, the structure is guided by a clear MOI and shaped by partnerships that prioritise servant leadership, integrity, and long-term stewardship.
Those currently involved bring rich experience from leading educational institutions and development projects. United by a shared belief in child-centred learning and accessible excellence. Together we are laying strong foundations for a school that is sustainable, community-minded, and built to last.
As we continue to grow, our governance will remain anchored in the values that shape every part of Seaton House.
A Note from the Chairman of the Board
Elwyn van den Aardweg
Seaton House will be a truly independent, co-educational school rooted in traditional values and a Christian ethos. Serving children from Grade 000 to Grade 12, we will offer a holistic education that integrates academic rigour with sporting and cultural opportunities – preparing globally competitive scholars.
We will embrace time-honoured values while thoughtfully innovating to meet the evolving needs of a changing world. Our teachers – our most cherished resource – will be nurtured to excel and serve as inspiring role models for our students.
Every learner will be welcomed into an inclusive, supportive environment where potential is realised, character is nurtured, and young people are guided to become responsible, committed adults who contribute meaningfully to their families, community, and society.
Elwyn van den Aardweg brings 40 years of educational experience, including nine years as a housemaster of a boys’ boarding house and 22 years as Headmaster of Kearsney College.
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He holds a BA in English and Geography from the University of Pretoria, along with two postgraduate degrees and a teaching diploma from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Elwyn is co-author of A Dictionary of Educational Psychology, used in teacher training programmes, and co-inventor of the “Lapdesk,” a portable writing surface distributed to over a million learners in under-resourced schools across South Africa, helping foster a culture of learning.
He is married to Tracey, also a career teacher, and they have twin daughters and two grandchildren. Elwyn’s educational philosophy centres on the holistic development of young people and building positive, meaningful relationships among all members of the school community.
Judy Tate was born, raised, and educated in KwaZulu-Natal, and has spent nearly five decades shaping and strengthening education in South Africa.
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Her journey as an educator began in 1976 – a path marked by continuous learning, deep listening, and a willingness to adapt as the landscape evolved.
With a BSc, HED, BEd Honours, and a Master’s in Education Management (all through UKZN), Judy’s experience spans both public and independent schools. She has taught mathematics, led a teacher training department at Appelsbosch College for 10 years, served as principal in a deeply under-resourced school, and spent 15 years heading Inanda Seminary, a respected girls’ boarding school.
Today, Judy leads Khanyisa Inanda Seminary Community Projects (KICP) – a non-profit committed to transforming education by investing in teachers. Under her leadership, KICP supports extended pre-service internships and in-service development for educators and school leaders, with a growing focus on innovation, digital fluency, and equity.
Judy is rooted in her Christian faith, supported by her husband of 48 years, and inspired daily by her family – four children, ten grandchildren, and a life grounded in wellness, purpose, and service.
Martin Mohale Martin brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to community.
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He served as Managing Director of Tongaat Hulett Sugar South Africa for 16 years, guiding the organisation through key periods of growth and transition. He also played a significant role in the South African Sugar Association, including several years as Chairperson.
Trained as a lawyer and advocate, Martin has long been drawn to spaces where integrity, governance, and people intersect. He has served on the Board of Trustees at Michaelhouse and, until 2024, was an active board member serving as Vice-Chairperson and Chairperson of the Zimbali Estate Management Association.
Now retired from formal executive work, Martin remains active in service. He is a committed member of the Catholic Church in Ballito and continues to mentor and lead within the broader community.
Martin and his wife Peggy have been married for 36 years. They have three children, three grandchildren, and a strong belief in the power of family, faith, and lifelong learning.
Paul Tait was born in Dundee in April 1959 and educated at Scottburgh Primary and High Schools.
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He earned a BSc Agriculture (Hons) and Higher Diploma in Education from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. After completing his military service, he began a lifelong career in education and married Jeannine, also a teacher. They have three married children and five grandchildren.
Paul started teaching in 1984 at Weston Agricultural College, where he taught Mathematics, Animal Husbandry, and Agricultural Science. He later served as Head of Department for Agricultural subjects from 1989 to 1992, before taking up the role of Deputy Principal at Scottburgh High School in 1993. From 1994 to 2014, Paul was Principal of Weston Agricultural College, leading the school for two decades.
Since 2015, he has served as a Trustee of the Baynesfield Estate Trust and is Chairman of the Board of Directors for Baynesfield Estate School, where he is also a founding member. Paul currently sits on the Seaton House Steering Committee, contributing insights from his 40 years in education. Paul is part of Christ Church North Coast and is passionate about helping children grow up with strong values and a meaningful sense of faith.
Jo-Ann du Plessis was born in Pretoria in November 1974 and moved permanently to KZN in 1999 with the dream of bringing up her children near the sea where she spent many a childhood holiday.
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She attended The Glen High School in Pretoria, where she was Head Girl and Dux Scholar, before completing a Bachelor of Commerce and Honours in Psychology (cum laude) at the University of Natal. In 2002, she earned a Master’s in Social and Developmental Psychology from the University of Cambridge, supported by a Mandela Magdalene Scholarship.
Her professional journey has spanned sectors — from the corporate sector to research, publishing, and education — but her heart has always been anchored in people and progress. For the past decade, Jo-Ann has worked as a mediator, helping families resolve disputes with clarity and compassion. She is the co-founder of Midway Mediators and currently chairs the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Mediators.
Jo-Ann serves as Secretary on the National Accreditation Board for Family Mediators and is a board member of MPower, an NGO working with township youth. She is also a committee member of the Zimbali Estate Foundation, working with donors and beneficiaries in KZN.
Today, Jo-Ann brings this breadth of experience to the Seaton House Steering Committee. A mother of three and active member of the North Coast community, she is passionate about raising resilient, grounded children — and helping build schools that serve not just learners, but whole communities.
Joshua is both excited and concerned about AI’s impact on education.
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Matthew Cocks has worked in formal and informal education and the management of outdoor education spaces for the past 24 years. Having grown up in Kwazulu-Natal, where he attended Kearsney College, Matthew completed his BSc at UCT, and then his PGCE and Environmental Management Honours degree through UNISA.
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His professional career includes 7 years as a classroom teacher, 10 years in the management of multiple outdoor education centres, 2 years as a school headmaster, and the last 6 years working as an outdoor curriculum design consultant.
Matthew pioneered the development of STEAM-based sustainability and environmental education programmes and experiences within biodiversity-rich locations of South Africa, the Middle and Far East. He has created curriculum-based field study programmes for multiple different international curricula, including the International Baccalaureate, A-Level, American K-12, South African IEB and CAPS, Singaporean Raffles, and International Primary Curriculum subjects.
By using formal curriculum content, local biodiversity research and knowledge, and relevant teaching and learning methodologies, Matthew creates exciting, informative and impactful programmes that challenge students to think critically about the long-term sustainability of our natural world, while developing their 21st century skills for future success.
Matthew’s unique set of skills has led to his involvement in multiple international education projects in The United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, Singapore, China, Hungary and Oman.
Through his decades of outdoor adventure experience, and extensive formal training, Matthew is accredited by Viristar in outdoor programme risk management, and holds Level 3 Safeguarding, and Level 3 Wilderness First Aid Certification. He has developed safety and programme management policies and procedures for a wide range of clients including: WESSA; Absolute Adventure; Ecoventure; The American School of Dubai; Stamford American School – Singapore; Epsom College – Malaysia; Australian International School – Singapore, and TASIS in Switzerland.
Matthew brings his diverse local and international knowledge, skills and experience to assist Seaton House in using the unique campus and outdoor classroom spaces to design hands-on, practical experiential education programmes that will complement and enhance what teachers are delivering in each classroom.
