We are excited to announce that Nova Pioneer North Riding has appointed a new school leader, Prathna Ramchunder, as Head of School. With a deep passion for education and an impressive journey of leadership, Prathna brings a wealth of experience and dedication to fostering student success. We take a moment to get to know her inspiring journey.
A Passion for Teaching from the Start
Prathna’s story begins in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, where she grew up in a family of four, including her younger brother. From a young age, her dream was clear—to become a teacher. This passion never wavered throughout her schooling years, and after matriculating, she pursued her BA in Psychology, followed by a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.
Her teaching career began in Durban, where she had the opportunity to develop and refine her skills at a school that provided a rich learning environment. After gaining experience, she applied for teaching positions in both Durban and Johannesburg, eventually landing a role at a Johannesburg-based organisation. During her four years there, Prathna’s talent for leadership became evident, and in 2019, she was promoted to Assistant Principal.
Joining the Nova Pioneer Family
In 2020, Prathna’s leadership journey took a new turn when she joined Nova Pioneer North Riding as the Associate Dean of Instruction. Reflecting on her time at Nova Pioneer, she shares how the school’s focus on coaching, development, and creating meaningful challenges helped her grow at an accelerated pace.
“In my time at Nova Pioneer, I was learning and growing at an accelerated rate due to the coaching, development, and challenging situations I faced,” says Prathna.
Her dedication and commitment to fostering a positive and dynamic learning environment quickly led to her promotion in 2023 to Dean of Instruction.
A New Chapter as Head of School
This year, Prathna’s journey reached an exciting milestone. After an extensive interview process among many strong candidates, she was selected to become the Head of School at Nova Pioneer North Riding in September 2024. Prathna’s vision for the school is one rooted in creating opportunities for growth, nurturing a culture of excellence, and empowering students to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.
We are incredibly proud to have Prathna Ramchunder at the helm of Nova Pioneer North Riding and are confident that under her leadership, our students and community will continue to thrive.
Let’s all welcome Prathna as she leads us into this exciting new chapter!
