Our Team

Kia ora and 你好 (nǐ hǎo)!

My name is Wei, and I am from Wuxi, China. I speak both Mandarin and English. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from China and a Master of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) from AUT.

Before entering the early childhood education sector, I worked in the media industry in China for over eight years.

Central to my practice is the belief that children are active and capable learners. I value giving children time, space, and trust, as I believe these everyday experiences help build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of agency.

Through my daily practice, I aim to support children not only in the present moment but also in developing a lifelong belief in themselves as capable learners who can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading and travelling. I am also a big K-pop fan and love listening to music and going to gigs!

Namaste & Kia ora! My name is Shreya and  I’m from Mumbai in India. I hold a Master’s Degree in physical education and development, a diploma in yoga, a graduate degree in physical education and development and a graduate degree in early childhood education. I have been a sports teacher and football coach in India for the past eight years. I’ve always wanted to move abroad, so I made the decision to pursue my goals and enrolled in New Zealand Tertiary College’s Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

I have a special interest in the curriculum topics related to sports and carpentry. I enjoy taking on new challenges and experiencing new things in life, such as hiking, weekend sports, and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy meeting new people since I think that gaining a variety of viewpoints will help you develop as a person.

It’s a real joy to work with you and your Tamariki here at The Grange!

Kia Ora! Kumusta! I’m Rica. I moved from the Philippines to Aotearoa New Zealand in September 2021. As the oldest of three younger brothers, I’ve always loved taking care of others. I’ve learned that how we nurture and teach kids can really shape their view of the world. That’s why I chose this path. I want to guide the tamariki as they grow and explore their futures.

I believe teaching is all about inspiring kids to reach their potential. My passion is helping young children develop a love for learning and encouraging their curiosity.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking and trying out different dishes, and I love baking too. Right now, I’m studying for my early childhood teaching degree, and I’m super excited to share my passion for teaching with all of you!

Kia Ora and Kamusta! My name is Gina, and I am a teacher in the Over Two room. I was born in the Philippines and moved to West Auckland where I now live with my husband and two teenage boys.

My passion is working alongside children, observing them grow and develop, and creating special moments through conversation, imagination, and friendship. I appreciate the happiness and wonder that early education has to offer, and I feel grateful to be a big part of children’s early years.

I enjoy creating a caring environment where children feel welcome and safe, and where I can support them to become confident and competent learners. I love making a difference and contributing to children’s learning and experiences.

In my spare time, I love gardening, cooking, and spending time with my family.

I look forward to meeting you!

Kia Ora at Kamusta! Gina ang pangalan ko at isa akong guro sa Under Two room. Ipinanganak ako sa Pilipinas at lumipat sa West Auckland kung saan nakatira ako ngayon kasama ang aking asawa at dalawang binatilyong lalaki.

Ang aking hilig na magtrabaho kasama ang mga bata, pagmamasid sa kanilang paglaki at pag-unlad, at paglikha ng mga espesyal na sandali sa pamamagitan ng pag-uusap, imahinasyon at pagkakaibigan. Pinahahalagahan ko ang kaligayahan at pagtataka na ibinibigay ng maagang edukasyon at nagpapasalamat ako na maging isang malaking bahagi ng mga unang taon ng mga bata.

Nasisiyahan akong lumikha ng isang mapagmalasakit na kapaligiran kung saan ang mga bata ay nakadarama ng malugod na pagtanggap, ligtas at kung saan maaari ko silang suportahan upang maging tiwala at karampatang mga mag-aaral. Gustung-gusto kong lumikha ng pagkakaiba at mag-ambag sa pag-aaral at mga karanasan ng mga bata.

Sa aking bakanteng oras, gusto ko ang paghahardin, pagluluto at paggugol ng oras kasama ang aking pamilya.

Inaasahan kong makilala ka at ang iyong mga sanggol!

Kia ora and Kamusta! My name is Donalyn and I am a teacher in the Over Two room. I was born in the Philippines and moved to Auckland in 2022 with my husband. I have a 24 year old daughter who is still living in the Philippines. I speak English and Tagalog.

I have a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). I also have a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education both from the Philippines.

I have always believed that as a teacher, I have a significant role in the lives of children. I make sure that I am always ready to support them. Knowing and understanding of who they are, respecting their opinions, boosting their confidence, and developing their talents are some of the tasks that I would contribute as a teacher to the amazing children at The Grange.

In my spare time I enjoy getting out and exploring with my husband. Cooking and gardening are also favourite hobbies of mine!

I look forward to meeting all of you and your children.

Kia Ora, my name is Cristy. I moved to New Zealand 2007 from the Philippines with my husband, four children and two grandchildren. I speak fluent English, Filipino and Japanese.

As a mother and nana, I was able to raise our children and grandchildren with great ease because I love taking care of children. In the Philippines, I was the one who took care of all my nephews and nieces and to this day, they still call me “Mommy” because of the strong bond I developed with them.

I am truly passionate about caring for young children. I have a very calm, compassionate and patient manner, putting their safety and sense of wellbeing first and foremost. I communicate with our young tamariki to ensure that their needs are being met and through these strong relationships, I support them to grow into strong competent children.

I look forward to meeting you

Kia ora, 你好 (Nǐ hǎo), apa khabar, and hello! My name is Colleen and I am originally from Malaysia. I hold a degree in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I speak English, Malay, and Mandarin, which has given me a deep appreciation for different cultures, languages, and family backgrounds.

 

Before beginning my journey in early childhood education, I worked as a tutor assistant in Whaikaha (Supported Learning) within tertiary education. This experience inspired my passion for creating an inclusive, respectful, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued and supported in their learning journey.

 

It is a real joy and privilege to be part of the whānau here at The Grange Centre, and I look forward to meeting you and your tamariki.

 

 

 

Kia ora，你好，apa khabar，Hello！

我是 Colleen，来自马来西亚。我拥有心理学学士学位，并完成了教师资格文凭课程。从小在多元文化的环境中成长，也让我更能理解和欣赏不同文化、语言以及家庭背景的独特性，因此能够流利使用英语、马来语和中文沟通。

在踏入幼儿教育领域之前，我曾在高等教育的特殊教育部担任助教，主要协助有学习障碍与额外学习需求的学生。这段经历也让我更希望能够为孩子们创造一个充满包容、尊重与关爱的学习环境，让他们自在快乐地成长与学习。

很开心能够加入 The Grange Centre 这个大家庭，也很期待认识各位家长以及每一位孩子。