Chelsea Swan

Kia Ora my name is Chelsea Swan and I am the new Head Teacher at Torbay Kindergarten.

I graduated from Auckland University with a Bachelor of Education in 2014.  I was lucky enough to secure a job at Glamorgan Kindergarten, where I worked alongside some wonderful teachers who helped to support and foster my passion for young children. After being at Glamorgan Kindergarten for 4 years, I made the tough decision to move overseas to Australia to be with family, where I was for a year. I came back to NZ at the end of 2019 and worked for a term up at Whangaparaoa Kindergarten, on the Hibiscus Coast and then securing my full time permanent position at Torbay Kindergarten at the beginning of 2020, where I have been ever since.

Torbay Kindergarten is the oldest Kindergarten on the North Shore and has a strong sense of community. We are licensed for 40 children a day and service around 70 families. Our older children attend Mon- Wed and our younger children Thurs-Fri with some of our older children attend a Thurs and or Friday as well. We have strong bi cultural practise and a commitment to Ti Tiriri o Waitangi. Our environment is extremely important to us and very much a teaching tool. We have a great sense of connection to the natural world of  Rangi and Papa and this is embedded throughout of Kindergarten.

Being apart of the Oneroa Kahui Ako is a privilege and has been hugely beneficial in supporting our tamariki as they transition into the next stage of their learning journey. Personally, I have found getting to know the school teachers very helpful and this has enabled open conversation to help support our transition tamariki. I am looking forward to continuing to be a part of this Kahui Ako and working collaboratively together for the good of our tamariki and whanau.

In my personal time I love being outside, the sunshine and ocean are my therapy. I love tinkering on little projects whether it be knitting, sewing, drawing, painting, I always have something on the go. I enjoy being active and prioritise this for my overall health. I am really enjoying cooking at the moment, and this is something I find relaxing after a busy day at work. My family and friends are a big part of my life. Ultimately, my soul is filled with the simple things that life has to offer.  

He aha te mea nui o te ao
What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people

Arohanui

Chelsea