Leetal is the Team Leader of the Huia room. She is a qualified and registered teacher. Leetal is one of our longest standing Pīwaka teachers, having taught in our babies’ room for 8 years. Leetal is passionate about teaching with Aroha and does her best to ensure that your young ones develop Trust and a sense of Belonging in their new home. Leetal has two young children of her own, and is such a wealth of knowledge for all you new mothers.
Read MoreSelena holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) and is a fully registered teacher with extensive experience in the early childhood sector since 2000. She took a brief hiatus to raise her two boys, but her passion for early childhood education has always been at the core of her career. Selena is dedicated to fostering developmental growth and providing quality learning experiences for young children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her husband, two boys, and twin sister.
Selena oversees the curriculum at Pīwaka supporting the Team Leaders and spends 3 days a week in Kakamatua room.
Read MorePenny is currently studying towards her Bachelor of Education ECE at Unitec. She is a passionate kaiako with one and a half of experience working with both pēpi and older tamariki. Penny has a strong love for music, and enjoys engaging children through singing songs and waiata. Penny values the importance of care moments, such as bottle feeding and supporting tamariki to sleep, seeing these as meaningful opportunities to build secure, trusting relationships. and believes all tamariki are entitled to respect and autonomy. She is committed to fostering calm, responsive, and respectful interactions among me, tamariki, whānau, and the Piwaka team.
Read MorePaige loves working with children and being part of their learning journey. She enjoys creating fun, engaging experiences and helping tamariki feel happy and secure. In her free time, she likes to dance and play netball. Paige brings creativity and energy into the classroom every day.
Read MoreStacey holds a Bachelor of Teaching ECE and is a fully certificated teacher. Stacey believes in empowering and uplifting the mana of each child as they are considered taonga. She is passionate about working alongside infants, and respectful care is a huge part of her teaching philosophy and teaching practice. Stacey honored to have her three tamariki with her here at Pīwaka, where they are secure in their identity, culture and unique ways of learning.
Read MoreHeleana started working in Piwaka in July 2023 as a reliever before joining the Huia Team in January 2024. Heleana has two and a half years previous experience working with infants. Her goal as a Kaiako is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where tamariki are able to always have a sense of well-being and belonging.
Read MorePei-Pei is a highly experienced teacher, having taught infants and toddlers since 2011, when she moved here from Taiwan. She believes each child is a ‘unique seed’ and as a kaiako she waters them with love, respect, care, trust and playfulness. She is also a mother of two daughters. Pei-Pei enjoys watching movies and swimming in her free time.
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