About Us

Welcome to St James Primary

We are a private, co-educational school based in Durban. As part of a global family of schools, we pride ourselves on providing a first-class education for children from Grades R to 7.

At St James, we believe that every child deserves to be nurtured to reach their full potential. Our small class sizes, dedicated staff, high academic standards and supportive environment offers each student the opportunity to thrive.

St James is more than a school. We shape young minds into well-rounded and confident individuals, equipped with the values and skills they need to succeed in life.

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Principals Desk
Principal’s Desk
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St James Staff
School Song
School Song
Our History
Our History

Principal’s Desk

St James has a proud history of being a school of excellence.

Our staff pride themselves on providing our learners with love, empathy and a sense of belonging. The diversity and inclusivity in our school is a microcosm of the greater South African society that we are preparing our learners for.

The values that St James teaches our children is with a mission of producing St James citizens who will change the world for the better. Our holistic approach to education including Thinking through Philosophy, Sanskrit and Mindfulness mould our children into emotionally intelligent and socially relevant young men and women. It is a privilege to lead a school like St James with our vision to make it a school of choice in Durban.

Of course, no man is an island, and no school can grow by itself. The dedicated members of the Board, the School of Philosophy, SMT, staff, learners and parents, make our school motto “Let truth light the way” a daily reality.

With that support behind me, I know that 2025 and beyond are going to be amazing adventures for St James Primary.

Headmaster Signature

Mr Noel Moodley

Headmaster of St James

Our Staff

Meet our team of dedicated and experienced teachers, passionate about growing young minds.
Noel Moodley

Headmaster

Noel Moodley

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Kirstie Perry

Intermediate & Senior Phase HOD

Kirstie Perry

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Melissa Horner

Foundation Phase HOD

Melissa Horner

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Kirstie Perry

Grade 7 Educator

Kirstie Perry

Email

Dustin Buck

Grade 6 Educator

Dustin Buck

Email

Taseena Ismail

Grade 5 Educator

Taseena Ismail

Email

Nadia Munsamy

Grade 4 Educator

Nadia Munsamy

Email

Melissa Horner

Grade 3 Educator

Melissa Horner

Email

Sithabile Dlamini

Grade 2 Educator

Sithabile Dlamini

Email

Anusha Janmajai

Grade 1 Educator

Anusha Janmajai

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Alvina Pillay

Grade R Educator

Alvina Pillay

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Clementine Mthembu

isiZulu Specialist

Clementine Mthembu

Email

Haylene Kettledas

Afrikaans Specialist

Haylene Kettledas

Email

Sithabile Dlamini

Music Specialist

Sithabile Dlamini

Email

Nicky Coleman

Art Specialist

Nicky Coleman

Email

Sithabile Dlamini

Drama Specialist

Sithabile Dlamini

Email

Dustin Buck

Sport Co-ordinator

Dustin Buck

Email

Kirstie Perry

Head of Marketing

Kirstie Perry

Email

Jean Lockyer

Office Administrator

Jean Lockyer

Email

Adiel Vezasie

Sports Coach

Adiel Vezasie

Email

Charmaine Hassun

Aftercare Supervisor

Charmaine Hassun

Email

Balungile Bhengu

Aftercare Assistant

Balungile Bhengu

Email

Zandile Mbumbe

Foundation Phase Teacher Assistant

Zandile Mbumbe

Mercy Maphumulo

Support Staff

Mercy Maphumulo

Nokubonga Maphumulo

Support Staff

Nokubonga Maphumulo

Lindi Mbelu

Support Staff

Lindi Mbelu

Elias Biyela

Maintenance

Elias Biyela

Lance Msomi

Support Staff

Lance Msomi

Our Vision

We seek to be the most affordable private primary school in the Durban CBD, offering quality primary school education.

Our Mission

Is to enable all learners’ access to learning through the provision of:

  • Differentiated, in-depth and cohesive learning programs aligned to the DoE CAPS curriculum
  • Highly effective teachers, focused on improving learner outcomes, through their commitment to ongoing professional development, quality teaching, evidence – based practices, coaching, mentoring, and collaboration
  • A quality inclusive learning environment that is responsive to learner needs
  • Enriching, engaging extra mural programs that promote participation in sport and culture
  • Classes by the School of Philosophy that empower our learners through Thinking through Philosophy and Sanskrit

St James School Song

In the corridors of St James where kindness always shows
Our values shine as our knowledge grows
Service to others is our guiding light
With brave-hearted spirits shining brightly

St James, St James, is a beacon of light
With truth and kindness showing, through day and night
No harm to others is a promise that we make
Let truth light the way, a vow we undertake

From our classrooms to the playground we strive to be
Compassionate and honest, a family
To the spirit of St James we hold true
Giving of our best in all we do

St James, St James, is a beacon of light
With truth and kindness showing, through day and night
No harm to others is a promise that we make
Let truth light the way, a vow we undertake

So let our motto forever shine,
Service, empathy, no harm and truth divine
A St James student stands apart
As we tend to their mind, and to their heart

Lyrics by Kirstie Perry
Music by Anita Blyth & Haylene Kettledas

Our History

St James Durban opened its doors in January 2007 with just a small group of Grade R – Grade 1 students. Each year since then, we added another grade – with our full primary school up and running by 2013.

Our school started under the leadership of Miss Anisha Ramlaul and grew from strength to strength as leadership changed hands over the years. Today, Mr. Noel Moodley leads us as the first male principal in our history.

While we are a young school, we draw on decades of experience from the St James family of schools, founded in London, UK. We’re proud to be part of this global community, bringing their values and vision to Durban.

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