Tena koutou katoa. Ko Rachael toku ingoa. No Ngati Porou au engari kei Wainuiomata au e noho ana.
My name is Rachael and I am from Ngati Porou but live in Wainuiomata. I have been at Jack and Jill for 8 years and the head teacher for the last 2. The biggest satisfaction for me through this job is those light-bulb moments where our pepes first learnt something in life and I get to experience it with them. Their inquisitive minds always excite me. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my own tamariki and my whanau. I have two dogs and 4 chicken and I have a green thumb. One of my happy places is in my garden, planting edible kai for those that i love. Arohanui.
Kia ora, my name is Cathy. Ever since I was young I always knew I wanted to become a teacher. Straight after finishing school I went on to study Early Childhood Education and I am now a fully registered and qualified teacher. I have been working at Jack&Jill for over six years and loving it. Every day is different and I have a blast getting to explore the world with our children. It’s kinda like being a big child while getting paid to do it. How cool is that. I always enjoy a good run on my lunch breaks and am totally in love with my puppies at home, with my partner.
Szia! my name is Anna and I am from Hungary. When I was younger I spent a lot of time in mother nature learning about how to respect her so that i can pass the knowledge through to the next generation. I have a passion for teaching with love and empathy. I believe we can achieve anything and I feel strongly connected to the philosophy at Jack and Jill. I love my family and have two dogs who I spend lots of time with being active and having fun. I spent a lot of time tramping outdoors.
Kia ora my name is Robyn. I have lived in the valley most of my life. It’s pleasure to teach at Jack&Jill. What I love about Jack&Jill is the whanau/family atmosphere. I enjoy working with the tamariki, getting to know them, and fostering their emerging interests. In my own time I enjoy reading, travelling, walking my dog and spending time with family and friends. .
Hi, My name is Tash. I have lived in Wainuiomata majority of my life. Coming from a big family, I value the love and connections amongst these relationships and spend a lot of my time with them. I am a mum of 2 boys who love rugby and the great outdoors. I have been a Kaiako at Jack&Jill for over 2 years. I love the whanau vibe we have here, love seeing all our families every morning and being apart of their journeys.
My name is Emma. I was born and raised in Wainuiomata. I come from a big family and my family means everything to me. I live with husband Nigel and our 5 girls. Working with children has always been a real passion for me and I want to make a difference in their lives. I am passionate about children connecting with nature and natural environment. I enjoy taking our tamariki out on our weekly Ngahere bush walks. In my spare time I enjoy going out for walks with the family, baking, reading books and watching movies.
Hi My name is Kristy Groenewegen. I am from a big Dutch family. I have lived in Wainuiomata all my life. I have 3 children Rachael, Ashlee and Jaxon. I really value the quality time with my family. We enjoy bush walks, horse riding, and watching movies. I have always enjoyed working with children especially the babies this is where my passion is. I am creative with children and enjoy messy play.
Hello! My name is Mayke. This year I'm completing my studies for a Graduate Diploma in ECE. I love studying and upgrading my knowledge; and teaching to be the best I can. I am always looking for new opportunities for our children to fuel the fire for loving to learn. I grew up in Christchurch, and went to an alternative high school Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti where students had the opportunity to direct their own learning. This has had a motivating factor for a positive outlook on life, to continue to challenge myself in all that I do. However I was born in the Netherlands! So I speak some dutch too and love the treats. I have a fine arts background where I made a lot of digital art. In my spare time I love to bakeing, drawing and reading; and learn new things, as well as getting out in nature.
Hi my name is Katrina. I have lived in wainuiomata my whole life. I am the youngest of four siblings and I have four children of my own and a grandson. In addition, I have one dog and three cats. I love fitness and take every opportunity to get outside for a good walk whether its at work with our children or after work with my own. Previously I have been providing homecare for families. Caring for others has always come naturally for me be it adults, children or animals.I love music and dancing so get extra excited when the children are having kani kani and singing to one of their action songs. I feel often it’s not just us teaching the tamarik; they sure teach us a thing or two as well. I look forward to making more memories with our families here at Jack and Jill.
Kia Ora whanau I’m leeanna and I’ve been here at jack and Jill for nearly 5 years, as a cook, a Kaiako and van support. You can usually find me in the kitchen cooking something delicious food for our tamariki, dropping them off at home on our school bus or helping out other kaiako on the floor. When im not working I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and friend, surrounded by good food.
Hi I am Megan. I have lived in wainuiomata my entire life and love this community. I have three beautiful children, two girls aged 18 & 9 and a little boy aged 2 who attends Jack n Jill. It is great having him near me on the days I work at the centre. I have been a familiar face to the families who use the centre’s van service. I enjoy driving the children between centre and their homes; and the little conversations or giggles with them and of course with their parents too. Through my time being the centre van driver, I realised my passion with children, nurturing them and watching them learn and play as they grow. In my spare time I enjoy a bit of gardening and spending time with my family.