EXTRACT
We stand at a remarkable crossroads in education. Artificial intelligence offers us extraordinary tools to enrich learning and lighten our workload. Yet technology is only ever as wise as the human heart that guides it. Our challenge is not whether to use AI, but how to use it without losing the relational, ethical and deeply human core of teaching.
What’s it all about?
Real Intelligence for the Real World: Technology in our Hands, Humanity in our Hearts
Technology is only as good as the human heart that guides it, and so, Coach in the Class would like to officially welcome you to our 2026 Conference. We want to disrupt your thinking and immerse you in rethinking how you engage with the rise of AI and technology, while holding fast to what makes you uniquely human. We aim to bring together an incredible group of school leaders, educators, facilitators, creatives and innovators – all gathering at Kirstenhof Primary School in Tokai, Cape Town – to explore this theme in a meaningful manner. Sessions will be engaging, hands-on and inspiring, not to be missed!
WHEN: 14 & 15 August 2026 (Fri/Sat)
WHERE: Kirstenhof Primary School, 18 Lente Street, Tokai, Cape Town
TO REGISTER: Online at Coach in the Class
At our heart lies the belief that education is fundamentally human. So in an age where AI is rapidly transforming education, this conference invites teachers to work smarter – not by replacing the human teacher, but by empowering them. Teachers remain central in guiding children to become well-rounded individuals – culturally aware, physically active, emotionally grounded, and ethically guided by love, respect, trust and honesty.
This conference places AI within its proper context: as a tool, not a substitute; an assistant, not the authority.
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in growing capable humans.
Create your own sense of how educators manage AI to prepare our children for the future. Whether you are just starting your career in the classroom or are steeped in experience, this conference will provide you with insights on how to maintain the balance between technology and humanity in education.
Conference Information
Who will be presenting?
Dorte Nielsen: Keynote Speaker
Our keynote speaker is a real winner. Dorte Nielsen, M.Sc., is the founder of Creative Thinker and the Centre for Creative Thinking in Copenhagen. Dorte Nielsen holds a Master of Science degree in Creativity from the ICSC, Buffalo, NY. She has dedicated her life to helping others become better creative thinkers.
After her very successful advertising career in London, winning Lions and D&AD Pencils, she has been teaching and researching creativity. She founded a bachelor’s degree programme for conceptual thinkers and made it one of the most award-winning creative bachelor’s programmes in the world. After her success in training creativity at the university level, Dorte took her uniquely effective creativity curriculum to primary schools. Today, she collaborates with leading institutions, brands and creative organisations to elevate creative excellence.
Dorte Nielsen is the author of 10 books on creative thinking, 4 games and thinking tools. Her books are published in 11 languages and are sold in 65 countries. She is a prolific keynote speaker and has been on stage in more than 20 countries. Dorte Nielsen received the Alumni Achievement Award from The International Centre for Studies in Creativity in Buffalo, New York, the EPIC Educator Award in California, and the Creative Achievement Award from Creative Circle for her contributions to the field of creativity.
Coach in the Class: Conference Hosts
Coach in the Class was founded by Helen Erlangsen and Robyn Walker, two passionate educators committed to transforming teaching and learning through creativity, coaching and meaningful human connection. Together, they have spent decades empowering teachers and school leaders with practical strategies that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, resilience and student engagement.
As conference hosts, workshop facilitators and advocates for innovative education, Helen and Robyn believe that while technology continues to reshape our world, it is our uniquely human qualities that will shape the future. Through Coach in the Class, they equip educators to create classrooms where every learner can thrive, combining evidence-informed practice with warmth, purpose and a deep belief in the potential of both teachers and students.
Stuart Payne: Headmaster at Kirstenhof Primary School
Stuart Payne is the Principal of Kirstenhof Primary School, where he has led the school since 2015 with a strong commitment to academic excellence, character development and community partnership. A graduate of the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Primary Education, Stuart has held leadership roles at Wynberg Boys’ Junior School, Sweet Valley Primary School and Wynberg Girls’ Junior School before joining Kirstenhof Primary.
Passionate about preparing young people for a rapidly changing world, Stuart champions an approach to education that balances high standards with wellbeing, belonging and the development of the whole child. His leadership is guided by the belief that schools thrive when educators, learners and families work together to create environments where every child can flourish.
Jess Fish: Head of Think Centre, KPS
Jess Fish is the Head of the Think Centre at Kirstenhof Primary School, where she leads innovative learning experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. Passionate about preparing learners for an ever-changing world, Jess works alongside teachers to design engaging, inquiry-driven opportunities that inspire students to think deeply, collaborate confidently and embrace challenges with a growth mindset.
With a strong belief that meaningful learning happens when children are encouraged to question, explore and create, Jess is dedicated to helping both learners and educators develop the skills needed to thrive in the classrooms, workplaces and communities of the future.
Liam Roelofse: Grade 5 Educator at Sun Valley Primary School
Liam Roelofse is a Grade 5 educator at Sun Valley Primary School who is passionate about creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity and deep thinking flourish. Dedicated to making learning engaging and meaningful, he empowers learners to ask questions, think critically and embrace challenges with confidence.
Beyond the classroom, Liam shares practical teaching ideas and inspiration with educators through his Instagram platform, @teach.think, where he has built a community around innovative classroom practice and purposeful learning. His commitment to collaboration and continuous growth makes him a valued voice in contemporary education and a passionate advocate for teaching that truly makes a difference.
Gavin Fish: Life Coach and Mentor
After 33 years in education, the last twelve as the principal at Fish Hoek High School, Gavin has returned to his first passion: impacting the lives of teens and their parents as a life coach, mentor and public speaker. He remains totally sold on South Africa’s youth, a message that he passionately conveyed at the International Principals’ Conference in Shanghai, China and one that he continues to share at local and national educational conferences.
Ryan Pillay: Business Development Consultant & National Training Manager – REMAX SA
National Training Manager and Business Development Consultant for REMAX Southern Africa. With a passion for developing people and building high-performing teams, he combines his professional expertise with an extensive background in hockey. Ryan has coached and managed at club, provincial and National schools and Masters level and is passionate about growing the game through leadership, coach development and creating environments where players and teams can thrive.
Alister Payne: Founder & CEO | CloudSecure & CloudEDU
Alister Payne is a strategic professional specialising in enterprise cybersecurity and secure cloud adoption. Holding a Master’s degree in Information Systems with a focus on behavioural information technology, he brings a unique perspective to understanding and mitigating digital threats. As a certified Google Chrome endpoint specialist, Alister provides expert guidance on securing modern workforces and managing devices effectively. He’s committed to delivering robust security solutions that protect critical data and enable organisations to thrive securely in an evolving digital landscape.
Armand Moolman: Music Educator and Performance Coach Specialist
With more than a decade of experience in music education, performance and research, Armand Moolman is a passionate educator dedicated to helping learners discover their unique musical voice. Having taught in schools, universities, private studios and international online settings, he specialises in piano, clarinet, violin, music theory, aural training and performance coaching. As the founder of Studio Auralis, he creates personalised learning experiences tailored to each student’s journey. Holding qualifications including a PhD in Music, a Master of Music and a PGCE, he combines technical excellence with creative, learner-centred approaches such as Dalcroze Eurhythmics and experiential music learning. Armand’s career spans university teaching, curriculum development, conducting, performance with professional orchestras and presenting research at international conferences, inspiring musicians of all ages to reach their full potential.
Phillipa Geard: CEO & Founder, RecruitMyMom & RAG Talent
Phillipa Geard is the Founder and CEO of RecruitMyMom and RAG Talent, pioneering South African recruitment agencies. As an award-winning social impact entrepreneur, she focuses on economically empowering women, youth, and marginalised talent. Her leadership has earned multiple accolades, including the Santam Fairlady Women of the Future Award. Phillipa is an EY Winning Women alumnus, holds a BBusSc from UCT, and previously worked at Procter & Gamble. She is a prominent public speaker on flexible work models.
Breakaway Presenters
| Presenters | Topic |
|---|---|
| Christine de Lange (Sun Valley Primary School) | How to use NotebookLM to streamline the entire test-generation process. |
| Jess Fish (Kirstenhof Primary School) | Questions that cause thinking |
| Sandy Roelofse (The Bay Primary) | Grow your brain |
| Liani Smith (Micklefield School) | The FUN-damentals of AI |
| Jo Schenck (Kirstenhof Primary School) | When the Wi-Fi dies |
| Liam Roelofse (Sun Valley Primary School) | What to do when you don’t know what to do |
| Jade Davies and Simone Becker (Western Province Prep School) | Leveraging AI to do the heavy lifting in the classroom |