Our Team

Belinda Williams -Senior Teacher

Esther is the head teacher and centre manager, since 2021. She is a mother of three and has been working with children in ECE since 2008. She is passionate about getting children out into the local environment, exploring and making connections in the realms of Paapatuanuku, Taanemahuta & Tangaroa. She loves messy play: mud paint, clay and craft, incorporating natural treasures, up-cycling and a range of art mediums into the creative process. seniorteacher@colvillebaypreschool.co.nz  

Ema-Jane Shanly-Bodger - Educator

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

Wilma Pooch - Qualified Teacher  

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. She was the head teacher who set up the ministry funded licensed and chartered ECE centre in 1991. 

Brandon - Kai awhino

Through music and waiata and kapahaka Brandon enriches our curriculum teaching Te ao Maaori and Te reo to the taamariki and kaiako on his weekly sessions here.

Belinda- Qualified Teacher

Our very experienced teacher joined the team in June 2022 to bring her great skills to the team. Belinda loves getting outdoors, gardening, paint and messy play.
"I believe in nurture, in nature, seeing the environment as the 'third' teacher."

Maria Dove - Qualified Teacher  

Maria comes with experience in early childhood, primary and music teaching.  She enjoys 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.

Brooke Dennehy - Music Teacher

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

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

Bronwyn Kennedy - Qualified Teacher, Masters in Education.

Our very experienced teacher joined the team in July 2021 to bring her great skills to the team. Her special skills and include working with gifted children, forest pedagogy, and drama and theatre. She continues to relieve for us now that she is retired. (When she is not off on a great adventure elsewhere!)

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...