Learn more about our team of qualified teachers at Te Whare Ako Childcare.
Sandra
Kia ora, Ko Sandra ahau, I am the Manager of Te Whare Ako and I live with my husband Jeff. Between us, we have four grown children, 2 grandchild and 4 fur babies! We enjoy going away in our motor home at weekends and travelling.
I have been an ECE teacher since 2000 and hold a degree in (ECE) Teaching and a Graduate Diploma Specialist Teaching - Early Intervention. I worked for 18 years in Kindergarten before making the great decision to join the Te Whare Ako whānau.
I am a true advocate for children of all cultures and ages and love to "yell from the rooftops" the importance of quality education and creating independent resilient people.
Carole
Kia ora, my name is Carole, my partner’s name is Tony, I am the mother of three children, Samantha (22 years old), Jamie (15 years old), and Henriette (13 years old), I am also the mother of 1 moggy cat and 1 frog. I am a crochet addict, a craft addict and love to ride around Wellington in my free time. I love being a Kaiako and watching the tamariki grow and develop over time.
Chloe
Kia Ora, my name is Chloe Singh, a teacher here at Te Whare Ako. I am a mother to a little boy, Arlo and enjoy watching him grow. I studied my Teaching Degree in ECE at Victoria University, graduating in 2019. I had the pleasure of having a practicum here at Te Whare Ako where I built great relationships with the tamariki and kaiako.
My personal philosophy is one closely to what Te Whare Ako follows, I enjoy being a part of their learning journey watching their curiosity, interest, and gain confidence within themselves.
Penny
Hi! My name is Penny Linforth and I was born and grew up in Ireland. I have a husband Keith who grew up in Zimbabwe and three grown up Kiwi children Morgan, Neve and Luke. I love to read, walk and think about exercising (which hardly ever happens) and I love to opp shop and antique shop. I also like to spend time in the garden taking care of my roses and chilling out with a little bit of liquid in glass. However, as a teacher, I love to work with and learn alongside children, as I enjoy watching them grow, learn, develop new skills, and start working life out. As a teacher it is a privilege to be part of the next generation of little learners.
Erin
Tena koutou katoa. Ko Taranaki te maunga (Taranaki is my mountain)
Ko Waitara te awa (Waitara is my river)
Ko Tokomaru te waka (Tokomaru is my wake/canoe)
Ko Atiawa raua ko Ngati Mutunga oku iwi (Te Āti Awa raua ko Ngati Mutunga are my tribe)
Ko Puketapu te hapu (Puketapu is my subtribe)
Ko Waikawa te marae (Waikawa is my marae)
No Rimutaka ahau (Upper Hutt is where I live)
Ko Eric Cocker raua ko Greta Thompson oku tipuna, ki te aha o toku matua (My Grandmother)
Ko Edward Cuneen raua ko Colleen Kennett oku tipuna, ki te taha o toku matua (My Grandfather)
Ko Marie Cocker toku whaea (Marie is my mum)
Ko Robin Cuneen toku matua (Robin is my dad)
Ko Ashlee Cuneen taku teina (Ashlee is my younger sister)
Ko Ngawai Cuneen taku tamaiti (Ngawai is my child)
Ko Erin Cuneen toku ingoa (My name is Erin)
Noreira, Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.
Donna
Kia ora e te whānau. Ko Donna Gabites tōku ingoa. Kei te noho au ki Te Awakairangi ki tai.
I am convinced our young children deserve a respectful, caring, and engaging environment. They need to know that they belong and that their family are seen and valued.
With three school age daughters, and an endlessly patient husband behind me I am looking forward to building relationships with and learning from the tamariki at Te Whare Ako. Before completing my Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) in 2022, I spent many years with the Hutt Playcentre Association, as a parent volunteer including four years as a home- based educator in the Maungaraki community.
Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Print) from Auckland University I am excited to find new ways to support our youngest ones to fall in love with the natural world and discover their own creativity.
Carla
Hi, my name is Carla Leighton and I was born and brought up in the UK. I live with my Wellington-born husband Paul and our two teenage daughters Neve and Ayla.
I have two fur babies, Mazi the cat and Keely the dog. I love all things animal related! Especially dogs, I love to spend time walking Keely and volunteering at the SPCA in Newtown. I also love reading and am a bit of a foodie.
As a teacher, I love watching children grow, sharing their ideas, sense of wonder and humour.
Renee
Ko Renèe toku ingoa. I have been working with children since tamariki since 2011, starting as a swim coach, and my passion for education grew from there. Alongside swimming and early childhood teaching I have taught music classes and the odd yoga class. As a kaiako, I'm passionate about language development, free play, and wellbeing.
