EDUCATORS
qualified & caring staff
We highly value our excellent teaching staff who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Centre. Our dedicated staff hold full registration and ECEC qualifications and many have worked with us for a number of years. This creates a secure environment where long-lasting relationships are formed with our children, families and community.
Our staff, through our values and vision, implement the principles of the National Curriculum and Te Whaariki, providing parents with regular updates through their children’s individual learning portfolios.
HIGH STAFFING RATIOS
We maintain higher staffing ratios than the Ministry of Education requirements and many other childcare centres. For the babies and under two year olds we have a ratio of 1:3 and for the over two year olds we have a ratio of 1:7.
"Children are born with wings and we teachers help them to fly through positive learning experiences!" - Yogeeta
meet our team
SELINA
TONKIN
Centre Manager / Kaiako
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora! I chose teaching as a career because I have a great passion for teaching and learning. I love working with tamariki/children because I get to see their development and learning firsthand!
I am passionate about providing quality early childhood education and I believe every educational decision must be based on what is best for the whole child: their intellectual, social/emotional, physical, and moral development.
Tamariki/children are active learners, therefore thoughtfully planned and child-centred activities help them become self-directed, long life learners.
CHRISTINE GURUSINGHE
Kaiako
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora and Ayubowan. I'm Christine - I work with the infants and toddlers. I'm a fully registered teacher with over twenty years experience working in early childhood education.
I enjoy working with the diverse communities of the centre. I believe that children learn best when kaiako and whānau work together to empower tamariki on their learning journey.
YOGEETA
SINGH
Kaiako
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora, Nisa Bula and Namaste!
I have loved being part of the Avondale College ECE teaching team for over ten years now!
As a teacher I strive to provide an environment where tamariki, whānau and colleagues from different cultural backgrounds feel welcome and accepted.
I am passionate about providing our young learners with a safe, fun and loving yet challenging environment to support their holistic learning and development.
SHEENAL NARAYAN
Kaiako
Registered Teacher
Hello, I'm Sheenal. Hailing from fiji, I made the move to New Zealand in 2007. Residing in West Auckland I successfully completed my studies at Unitec in 2018. Currently, I find fulfillment in my role as an early childhood educator, fueled by a genuine passion for teaching and a profound joy in witnessing children's developmental milestones. With a heart brimming with dedication and a profound love for nurturing young souls, I find joy in witnessing the transformational journey of every child under my care.
NISA SHAKIR SALAM
Kaiako
NZ Diploma in ECE Level 5
Hello! My name is Nisa, I joined Avondale College ECEC in 2018, and am currently working with the babies in the Under Twos area.
I feel so fortunate to be involved in our children's learning and development as I learn alongside them!
Outside of preschool, my interests revolve around my family life, with my two daughters attending nearby schools in Avondale.
SELINA TONKIN
CHRISTINE GURUSINGHE
Kaiako
Registered Teacher
Kaiako
Registered Teacher
YOGEETA KARAN SINGH
SHEENAL NARAYAN
Kaiako
Registered Teacher
BARBARA HUNTER FA'APOI
Tunu Kai / Chef
I come from a family of 6 siblings. I have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. I have a large extended family that love to get together on occasions to cook and enjoy a meal and a catchup.
I love cooking for people. Children are like little food critics that like to tell the truth, so food need not be too complicated. I like to keep it simple, tasty, nutritional and healthy, using less sugar in baking and keeping it well balanced with variety. It makes me happy when I see the children enjoying the food I cook.
MELISSA WILLIAMS
Administrator
BA(Hons) Drama & Theatre Arts
Hello! I am Melissa and I am the centre administrator.
I have over 14 years of experience in administration in various industries but this is the first time in an Early Childhood Centre and I just love it!
I got my degree in Drama and I trained as an actor in London. I have taught drama, dance and singing to children from preschool to young adults and have always enjoyed working with young people.
I am a mum of 2 boys and since they were born I have had a keen interest in child development.
I used to run baby and toddler mat times as well as running drama and creative sessions at preschool centres all over Auckland.
I love supporting the Kaiako and Tamariki in everyway I can.
BARBARA WILLIAMS
Tunu Kai / Chef
I come from a family of 6 siblings. I have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. I have a large extended family that love to get together on occasions to cook and enjoy a meal and a catchup.
I love cooking for people. Children are like little food critics that like to tell the truth, so food need not be too complicated. I like to keep it simple, tasty, nutritional and healthy, using less sugar in baking and keeping it well balanced with variety. It makes me happy when I see the children enjoying the food I cook.
MELISSA WILLIAMS
Administrator / Reliever
Hello! I am Melissa and I am the centre administrator.
I have over 14 years of experience in administration in various industries but this is the first time in an Early Childhood Centre and I just love it!
I got my degree in Drama and I trained as an actor in London. I have taught drama, dance and singing to children from preschool to young adults and have always enjoyed working with young people.
I am a mum of 2 boys and since they were born I have had a keen interest in child development.
I used to run baby and toddler mat times as well as running drama and creative sessions at preschool centres all over Auckland.
I love supporting the Kaiako and Tamariki in everyway I can.
TOWHIDA BEGUM
CASUAL RELIEVER
ROWENA MOER
CASUAL RELIEVER