Henderson Staff Profiles

Stuart Thornell
Franchisee

Originally from Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Stuart moved to New Zealand in 1997 with his partner Jen. Following the birth of their first child, Jake, they recognised the positive impact that quality education and childcare has on a child’s development and subsequently began their search for an organisation that could not only provide Jake an environment to blossom in but also offer an opportunity for Stuart become involved in. Soon after the birth of their second child, Hannah, Stuart became the franchisee of Bear Park’s Henderson centre.

Rita Pule
Centre Manager

Born and educated in Auckland, Rita is a qualified and registered teacher.   Working in early childhood education for years, has allowed her to link the past and present experience together.  Rita strongly believes that the learning environment impacts the children’s possibilities and influences theories of wonder.  She acknowledges the importance of having qualified teachers and that their role can often influence a strong foundation for learning.  Although Rita spends more time working with the teachers she believes the image of the teacher is to unravel the desire for learning.  Through centre beliefs and the influences of her relationships, to support children through questioning and encouraging through their discoveries of the world.  Committed to the values of teaching and the foundations of the centre philosophy, working together as a team alongside the tamariki & whanau.

Henderson Staff

Bear Park Henderson has 16 qualified teachers, with a further 1 due to complete their teaching qualification in the next 12 months. The centre actively supports teachers through their studies and places a high degree of importance on not only the quality of their teaching team but also on the consistency of staff. Currently teachers at Bear Park Henderson have an average of over 4 years experience at the Centre.