Meet the people behind Eden Village Prep
Astra Russell
Co-Founder
Astra has served in education for over 49-years, the highlights being the Founding Principal for Eden Village Preparatory School, a position she held for 4 and a half years, and prior to that the Principal of Umhlali Preparatory School for 20 years. Prior to that Astra held the position of Headmistress at Longmarket Girls' School.
Astra has committed much of her life to continuous learning and holds several teaching qualifications including a Natal Teachers Diploma, a Higher Diploma in Education, a Further Diploma in Barriers to Learning, a Bachelor of Education Honours (Leadership and Management) and has had the benefit of attending the World Principals' Conferences in Scotland, Finland and South Africa. To further her experience Astra toured Turkey at the invitation of the Horizon Trust in 2015 where she visited several schools and viewed their resources and facilities.
On the sporting front, Astra has completed 10 Comrades and has served as the Under 16A and Under 18A South African Hockey Manageress, during which she attended the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games in Scotland. Astra has also Served as Chairperson of KwaZulu-Natal Southern Coastal and Natal Midlands Primary Schools Hockey Association. Since Umhlali Preparatory School, Astra has been involved in the PEP Stores Academy, where she provides mentorship to several English and Mathematics Teachers in Grade 4 and 5 at two local schools in the community, namely the Dr. B.W. Vilakazi Secondary School and Enkukwini Primary School.
Astra brings a passion and determination to provide children on the KZN North Coast with a high-quality learning environment, and is excited to play a support and mentorship role to the leadership of Eden Village Preparatory School.