Windhoek International School appoints Christelien Jarman
Windhoek International School (WIS) is proud to announce the appointment of Christelien Jarman as its new Head of Admissions and Marketing, effective August 2026, following a highly competitive search for this key leadership role within the school. Christelien Jarman has served at WIS as a Grade 1 homeroom teacher since 2021. Previously, Christelien was a teacher at Windhoek Gymnasium for four years and taught in Muscat, Oman at ABQ International School for two years. Christelien began her teaching career as a teacher at Pioneers Park Primary School.
To the Head of Admissions and Marketing position, Christelien brings deep knowledge of the WIS curriculum, close personal connections to the Namibian and international community in Windhoek, and an understanding
of what makes WIS unique as Namibia’s international school. “Christelien is a perfect person to take on this important role for our school,” said Ethan Van Drunen, Educational Director. “She is empathetic, organised,
and a great communicator. Christelien’s extensive experience with event planning, community engagement, and wellness promotion make her the perfect first point-of-contact for families as they consider choosing WIS as the best fit for their children.” Christelien said, “I am honoured to be entrusted with this important role at a
school which has become close to my heart. As a teacher and a parent of WIS, I know what makes the school special. I look forward to engaging with families and community partners to continue growing our international and Namibian learning community here on Scheppmann Street. WIS is a school on the move, with great things happening.” Christelien will begin working with Carol Heimstadt, the current postholder, in advance of Carol’s retirement set for July 2026. Ms Heimstadt has been serving as the Head of Admissions for WIS since 2001, and has been an involved parent at the school since January 1992. “It is hard to imagine a WIS without Carol. She has made an indelible impact on generations of families, and she has built up a community which values kindness as a core value” said Ethan Van Drunen. I am happy that in Christelien we have found a perfect person to carry the torch of admissions at WIS. We are moving from strength to strength.” “It has been my privilege to enroll many students at WIS. Each student and each family have made and will continue to make WIS the school that it is. It is the people who make the school. Families come to us with hopes, concerns, and a passion for their children’s education, and I have loved watching students grow and flourish here at WIS. I see my time at WIS as being about the school and our shared mission” said Carol Heimstadt. “I am happy that I will be able to begin handing over this responsibility to Christlien.
I believe she is a strong person who knows the difference between right and wrong. She is prepared to do a good job in this role.” Windhoek International School is a not-for-profit school founded in 1990 to support Namibia’s international community and families who value a student-centered and holistic approach to education. Around 50 percent of students are Namibian nationals and the remainder come from around 45
other countries.
