Poppy Seeds Montessori Staff
Co-Founders
Poppy Poretti
Poppy is our Principal, Monterssori 3-6 Directress and Co-Founder. Poppy Poretti is the Principal and Co-Founder of Poppy Seeds Montessori Preschool. With over 20 years of Montessori experience, she has successfully completed her Montessori Directress training and has dedicated her career to creating authentic, child-centred learning environments. Since opening Poppy Seeds in 2016, she has proudly led the school through ten successful years, building a warm and nurturing community where children are encouraged to become confident, independent learners. Poppy believes Montessori is more than a method – it's a way of life – and the children affectionately know her as "Silly Poppy" because she loves laughing, playing and learning alongside them.
Tracey Robinson
Tracey is the Co-Founder of Poppy Seeds Montessori Preschool and our original Head of the Toddler Group. She holds Montessori diplomas in both Toddler and 3–6 education. Having helped establish the school from the very beginning, she remains actively involved from her home in Billings, Montana. Tracey keeps her Montessori knowledge current by substituting at a local Montessori school and delights in sharing the Montessori philosophy with her grandchildren whenever they're together. Her warmth, infectious laugh and genuine love for children continue to be a treasured part of the heart and history of Poppy Seeds.
Directresses
Usha Ramsingh
Usha is one of our Montessori Directresses and has been part of the Poppy Seeds family since 2018. She holds a Montessori diploma in 3–6 education and brings over 30 years of teaching experience, including extensive experience in Grade R and special needs education. Usha works alongside Poppy to guide our 3–6-year-olds through the Montessori curriculum while leading our CAPS bridging programme for our oldest children, ensuring they are well prepared for their transition to primary school. Her calm, graceful nature, dedication and genuine love for children make her an invaluable member of our team.
Sharon Souchon
Sharon joined the Poppy Seeds family in 2026 and brings over 20 years of experience working with children. Her background includes managing and coaching children's physical development programmes, as well as co-owning and managing an adventure park where she worked closely with schools and families. Passionate about early childhood development, Sharon is a natural with children and is truly qualified by experience. She has a special interest in play-based learning, movement, outdoor exploration, and nurturing children's confidence and independence. Her calm, caring nature, professionalism, and genuine love for children have made her a wonderful addition to the Poppy Seeds family.
Kirsten Robinson
Kirsten joined the Poppy Seeds family in 2016 as an assistant in our Toddler environment and has since completed her Montessori Toddler diploma. Today, she supports both our Toddler and 3–6 environments through classroom cover, leads our creative art programme, and facilitates our aftercare enrichment activities, including Culinary Arts and Science Sparks. Kirsten loves seeing the world through the children's eyes and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. Her gentle, soft-spoken nature and creativity make her a much-loved member of the Poppy Seeds family.
Assistants & Grounds Staff
David Sikosana
David has been part of the Poppy Seeds family since we opened our doors in 2016. As Head of Security, Maintenance, Groundskeeping and Transport, he plays an essential role in keeping our school safe, welcoming and running smoothly. David is the first smiling face our families see each morning and takes pride in knowing every child and parent by name. His reliability, friendly nature and willingness to help with absolutely anything make him an invaluable member of the Poppy Seeds family. He truly is our rock.
Buyi Zungu
Buyi has been part of the Poppy Seeds family since 2020 and is qualified by experience. Having been trained in-house, she assists in both our Toddler and 3–6 environments, rotating weekly between the two classrooms. Buyi loves working with children because they remind her how amazing and exciting the world can be, and they keep her smiling every day. Affectionately known as our "gentle giant", her kind heart, wonderful sense of humour and calm, caring nature have made her a much-loved member of the Poppy Seeds family.
Nondumiso Luthuli
Nondumiso Luthuli holds a Foundation Phase teaching degree and assists with our CAPS bridging programme. She also rotates weekly between our Toddler and 3–6 environments, supporting children across all age groups. Nondumiso's gentle, patient nature, dedication and genuine love for children make her a valued member of the Poppy Seeds family.
