Our Team

Belinda Williams - Head Teacher

Belinda is the Head teacher and Centre manager. Belinda brings many years of of ECE experience to her practice and provides exceptional teaching skills with heartfelt mentorship, cultural competence, and strategic management.  Belinda loves getting outdoors, gardening, paint and messy play.
"I believe in nurture, in nature, seeing the environment as the 'third' teacher." 

Email: seniorteacher@colvillebaypreschool.co.nz  

Jennifer Williams - Educator/Teaching Assistant

Tamsyn Oliver - Educator/Teaching Assistant

Wilma Pooch - Qualified Teacher /Relief Staff 

Wilma is a qualified primary and early childhood teacher. She was part of forming the original playgroup here in 1987, before the centre became a licensed preschool and now works for us in a relief capacity. She was the head teacher who set up the Ministry-funded, licensed and chartered ECE Centre in 1991. 

Ema-Jane Shanly-Bodger - Educator/Teaching Assistant.

She has been working here since 2019. Kaitiaki of the tamariki. She is their best friend. Passionate about early childhood since an early age.

Ursula Burns-Maybury - Financial Administrator/Grants Writer

Ursula brings her many skills from her background in science to help our team in managing the day to day operations and finances of the Centre. She is a mum of two, has a passion for maths, and is always willing to help where she can. Email: admin@colvillebaypreschool.co.nz.

WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE  RECENT PAST MEMBERS OF THE TEAM

Maria Dove - Qualified Teacher  

Maria came with experience in early childhood, primary and music teaching.  She enjoyed following the natural interests and inclinations of the child, while offering them new experiences and opportunities to discover, learn about, and care for the world and people around them.

Emma Corner - Qualified Teacher

"Really fun" is how the children describe kaiako Emma. Emma brought her passion for teaching to Colville Bay Preschool and we really look forward to seeing her back upon her return from Maternity Leave. 

Brooke Dennehy - Music Teacher

Our talented local musician and Preschooler parent shared music and movement with the children on Tuesday mornings.

Brandon - Kaiāwhina

Through music and waiata and kapahaka, Brandon enriched our curriculum, teaching Te ao Māori and Te reo to the tamariki and kaiako on his weekly sessions here.

Bronwyn Kennedy - Qualified Teacher, Masters in Education.

Our very experienced teacher Bronwen joined the team in July 2021 to bring her great skills to the team. Her special skills include working with gifted children, forest pedagogy, and drama and theatre.

Nichola Smith - Educator/ Teaching Assistant

Nichola was a local mother of two, involved with the preschool since 2012. She loved being with tamariki and helped them develop their skills as they grow.

Elizabeth Mitchell- Qualified Teacher

Linda Dare Roberts - Qualified Teacher

Moana Keyworth - Qualified Teacher

For their many years of services and work for the community

Vanessa - Yoga Teacher

We were lucky to have Vanessa as part of our team to teach yoga and relaxation.

And so many more...