Lincoln Road Team

SOPHIE BATLEY-CENTRE MANAGER

Kia Ora, my name is Sophie and I am the Centre Manager of Co Kids, Lincoln Road, I am also a qualified teacher who has been in the education sector for 13+ years. I have a 2 and a half year old girl Mila, who keeps me very busy. I am extremely passionate about providing the highest quality of care to our Tamariki and their families, and providing children with the tools to grow and develop in the best way possible.

TESS CRAWFORD

My name is Tess Crawford, I have been working in ECE since 2010 I hold a bachelors degree in education (specialty ECE) from AUT University and am provisionally registered. Over the past 7 years I have worked across all ages from 3months-5years having spent the last year predominately working with under 2’s. I am a mum to my four and a half year old son Jet and have lived locally to west Auckland my whole life. I am passionate and motivated in providing respectful nurturing relationships with our young tamariki, supporting their developmental journey along the way.

SAMEENA

My name is Sameena and I am an Indian by origin. We migrated to New Zealand 17 years ago. I am blessed with three beautiful children and an amazing husband. I love children hence choosing this profession. I completed by post graduate diploma in teaching in 2010 from the University of Auckland. I am a fully registered teacher. I believe in a child centred curriculum and am passionate about setting up age appropriate experiences to children, as I consider the environment as the third teacher.

ARNA MC'CLNTYRE

Hi my name is Arna, I hold a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and am provisionally registered. I have two children Layla (4years old) and Lilly (3years old). Before studying I was relieving in many different centres around the West Auckland area and have experience with children ranging from 3 months to 5 years.

I enjoy getting down to the children’s level and exploring the world from their point of view. I believe that all children are unique in their own way and that play is vital for their growth and development. I look forward to getting to you know and your child and working together in partnership to broaden your child’s ever growing knowledge, growth and development.

TE RINA - Qualified Explorer Teacher

Kia Ora, Ko TeRina taku ingoa. He Kaiako ahau i roto i te ruma ā Bethels. Ko tāku hiahia nui ki te atawhai i ngā tamariki nā roto i nga mahi whakaute, nā reira ko te maimoatanga o ia tamaiti hei tangata tino nui hei hanga i to tatou wā ki mua. Kia Ora my name is TeRina Kay and I am currently a teacher in the Bethels room. Having recently moved back to Auckland from our Christchurch based centre it seemed like fate that I was placed to work alongside such beautiful teachers, children, and whanau here at CoKids.
I am highly passionate in making sure our children are respected, valued and uplifted as the unique individuals that they are. I love being able to watch our future generation grow to be strong, capable, and happy beings for the better of our future. I have gained my Bachelor of Education (Early childhood and Pasifika Specialisation) under graduate degree through the University of Auckland and I am currently provisionally registered. Coming from a large whanau my passion for working alongside children began at a very young age, alongside my passion of learning about the many unique cultures that make Aotearoa so diverse. “He waka eke noa” translates to ~ A canoe which we are all in with no exception. I believe we are all on this learning journey together, and I am so privileged to be working alongside our beautiful children and whanau here at CoKids as we begin our lifelong learning journey together.

KHUSHNUM

Kia ora, and Hello. I am Khushnum (Khushi) and I am looking forward to be a part of teaching team and whanau at Co Kids, Lincoln Road.

I am a registered teacher and I have a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the University of Auckland.

I believe in creating an environment where children can be nurtured that enables them to explore and express themselves through a wide range of activities.

I value the uniqueness and individuality that each child brings and incorporate it into my teaching practice.

I look forward to building warm and strong relationships with the children and their whanau as we embark together on the exciting journey of a child’s development.

NADEE BAJJALA WALAWWE

Toddler Teacher

CAROLYN DAVIES

Is a Pre-School Teacher and a teacher in training.

MICHELLE POLIDO

Hi, my name is Michelle and I am the centre chef. I am a mother of two wonderful girls. I come from the Philippines but grew up here in New Zealand. I am an experienced cook and love providing healthy and nutritious meals to the children.

Moorhouse Ave Team

Michelle Somerville-Centre Manager

Kia ora, I am excited to lead the team and be a part of the growth and development of our new Co Kids centre on Pilgrim Place, in Christchurch. With over 20 years’ experience in the early childhood profession, I have opened three early childhood centres; worked with Ministry of Education; led centre reviews and mentored teaching teams. Ensuring a professional identity within a caring, inspiring and innovative environment continues to be the driving force behind why I love to continue creating amazing spaces for our young children, families and teachers. Meeting new people, sharing in these special early years; and being an integral part of a community will always evoke great delight and professional satisfaction.

With my three sons all now very grown up it is time for me to ‘fly the coop’ and enjoy the excitement of being part of a new community. I am often in the ocean swimming, and love to run around bush and mountainous tracks, so am very keen to explore all that Christchurch and Canterbury has to offer. It has been a fantastic journey as we lay the foundations to our wonderful centre. Everyone has shown great support and are keen to be a part of our wonderful venture. To the community of interested families many thanks for your patience and understanding as we work ever closer to an opening date. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are driving past, see our sign and are curious about who we are, and what we are about. I am always available for a chat, or to answer any of your queries. We look forward to meeting you all very soon.

Jessie Weir – Team Leader

Kia ora, I graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2014 with a Bachelor of Teaching ECE conjointly with a Bachelor of Arts.I am passionate about working with young children and strongly believe in providing a calm, welcoming environment where children feel safe to explore and take chances. I am very excited to be part of the leadership team at Co Kids Moorhouse Ave, and eagerly look forward to meeting you all, and sharing in these wonderful early years with you.

I have recently moved from Wellington to Christchurch with my fiancée, Garrick, and am looking forward to exploring this beautiful part of Aotearoa.

Noemia lira

Hi my name is Noemia Lira I am from Salvador which is in the middle of Brazil. I came to New Zealand in 2010 to be able to further my English and work with children. I lived in Auckland for a year as an au pair and this is where I met my husband who is from the UK.

We have a daughter Maria who is 3 years old and likes to keep me very busy. My husband and I moved to the South Island in 2011 and haven't looked back. I have worked as a chef in hotels and cafes, but have always wanted to work with children again. Being able to cook for children has been something I have always wanted to do and I look forward to being able to teach your children about how food helps them to grow.

Ruhina McGhie

I have grown up in a small town called Levin with a love of outdoors and keeping active. I have a passion for sports; I like to get out and about whether it’s tramping, boxing, working out at the gym or going for a walk.

I am passionate about teaching our tamaariki and enjoy working alongside them so they can learn and discover their world.

I believe it is important to build a respectful and reciprocal relationship with tamariki and their whanau to create a sense of belonging within an early childhood environment.

For myself, as an educator I believe I have one of the most important jobs; this is creating tomorrow’s future. I take this as a huge responsibility and constantly reflect on both myself and my teaching and what I can do to improve.

All children should be active participants in everything I do that involves them to ensure they see themselves as competent and capable individuals. I am there to support and assist the children in their journey of learning to learn.

I will be on a new journey myself this year and will start my Bachelor of teaching degree, after gaining eight years’ experience in ECE.

Poipoia te kakano kia puawai

Nurture the seed and it will blossom