Our Team — Jack and Jill Early Learning Centre

Loving to learn, Learning through Love

54 Hine Road Lower Hutt, Wellington, 5014

04 9705266

enquiries@jackandjill.school.nz

Jack and Jill Early Learning Centre, values learning through play, in a family focused quality environment. We prepare children for school and beyond. For children from 0-5 years old within our community Wainuiomata.

Head Teacher — Centre Manager

Tena koutou katoa. Ko Rachael toku ingoa. No Ngati Porou au engari kei Wainuiomata au e noho ana.

My name is Rachael and I am from Ngati Porou but live in Wainuiomata. I have been at Jack and Jill since 2012. The biggest satisfaction for me through this job are those light-bulb moments where our pepes first learnt something in life and I get to experience it with them. Their inquisitive minds always excite me. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my own tamariki and my whanau. I am a mum of 3 boys and love watching their sports in the weekend and i have a green thumb. One of my happy places is in my garden, planting edible kai for those that i love.

Arohanui.

Qualified Teacher — Kaiako

Kia ora, my name is Cathy. Ever since I was young I always knew I wanted to become a teacher. Straight after finishing school I went on to study Early Childhood Education and I am a fully registered and qualified teacher. I have been working at Jack&Jill for since 2014 and loving it. Every day is different and I have a blast getting to explore the world with our children. It’s kinda like being a big child while getting paid to do it. How cool is that.

I always enjoy a good run on my lunch breaks and am totally in love with my puppies at home, with my partner.

Kaiako

Szia! my name is Anna and I am from Hungary. When I was younger I spent a lot of time in mother nature learning about how to respect her so that i can pass the knowledge through to the next generation. I have a passion for teaching with love and empathy. I believe we can achieve anything and I feel strongly connected to the philosophy at Jack and Jill.

I love my family and have two dogs who I spend lots of time with being active and having fun. I spent a lot of time tramping outdoors.

Qualified Teacher — Kaiako

Kia ora my name is Robyn. I have lived in the valley most of my life. It’s pleasure to teach at Jack and Jill. What I love about Jack&Jill is the whanau/family atmosphere. I enjoy working with the tamariki, getting to know them, and fostering their emerging interests.

In my own time I enjoy reading, travelling, walking my dog and spending time with family and friends. .

Kaiako

Hi, My name is Tash. I have lived in Wainuiomata majority of my life. Coming from a big family, I value the love and connections amongst these relationships and spend a lot of my time with them. I am a mum of 2 boys who love rugby and the great outdoors.

I have been a Kaiako at Jack&Jill for over 4 years. I love the whanau vibe we have here, love seeing all our families every morning and being apart of their journeys.

Kaiako - Teacher in training — Kaiako

Hallo! My name is Kristy Groenewegen. I am from a big Dutch family. I have lived in Wainuiomata all my life. I have 3 children Rachael, Ashlee and Jaxon. I really value the quality time with my family. We enjoy bush walks, horse riding, and watching movies.

I have always enjoyed working with children especially the babies this is where my passion is. I am creative with children and enjoy messy play.

Kaiako

My name is Karyn. I have lived in Wainuiomata for most of my life. I have four children aged from 13 down to 14 months and I am lucky to be teaching alongside my son.

I have been walking through the doors of Jack and Jill for 8 years now, first as a parent then joined the team 4 year ago.

Kaiako

Kia ora! My name is Amanda. I have lived in Wainuiomata my entire life. I have a 5 year old daughter and 2 step children aged 5 and 9.

I like bush walks and ca ping in my spare time.

I believe the biggest and best tool for children to learn is through their own imagination.

Kaiako

Ko Natalie O'Donnell tōku ingoa. Ko Pukeatua te maunga e rū nei. Nō Whanganui a tara au. I tipu ake au ki te papakainga o Wainuiomata. E Noho ana au ki Wainuiomata. Ko Wainuiomata me Ōakura Matapū ngā awa e mahea nei ōku maharahara, engari, me mihi hoki au ki ngā tohu o nehe, o toku kōroua. He uri ia nō te iwi NgāRuahine. He uri au nō te whānau Morrissey. Ko Keelan rāua ko Jayde āku tamariki. Ko Rawiri tōku tāne. Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

(My Name is Natalie O'Donnell. Pukeatua is the mountain that speaks to my heart. I am from Wellington. I grew up in the village of Wainuiomata. I live in Wainuiomata. Wainuiomata and Ōakura Matapū are the rivers where I bathe my worries, however, I recognise the ancestral and spiritual landmarks of my grandfather. Nga Ruahine is his tribe. I am from the Morrissey whānau. Keelan and Jayde are my children. Rawiri is my partner. Greetings to you all. )

I grew up in Wainuiomata. I moved to Taranaki in 1991, and I have now returned home to be close to my ageing parents.

After many years being a (busy) home-based mum, I studied at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha - University of Canterbury, to complete a Bachelor of Teaching and learning (ECE).

I enjoy mountain biking, swimming, and relaxing with my whānau and friends. I am also passionate about my journey in building my knowledge of te reo Māori, and te ao Māori.

I am excited to have joined the team, and community of Jack and Jill, Ngā mihi nui