Remuera Preschool Staff Profiles

Beth Elliott
Centre Manager

I have wanted to be a part of Early Childhood Education from my own experiences growing up. Some of my earliest memories were being in kindergarten, and one of my fondest was my ‘happy last day’ before I went off to primary school. I loved being a part of a group, sharing ideas, interests and trying new things.
As my school days ended and I looked towards my future and Early Childhood was still the path I wanted to take. After completing my Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Teaching in 2005 I soon started with Bear Park in 2006 as in infant and toddler teacher, and then moved to be a classroom co-ordinator.

While at Bear Park I have been lucky enough to be involved with the Educational Leadership Project, where I worked with fellow teachers being active researchers in Literacy and Documentation. I have spent time teaching in Colorado, USA at Boulder Journey School where I visited  ‘The Hundred Languages of Children’ exhibition. In 2010 I was fortunate to travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy with a study tour that deepened both my pedagogy and practice with it’s philosophy.

Having being a part of the Bear Park community I am now the Centre Manager of the inspirational centre in Remuera. The experiences we offer here are like no other, with specialist teachers and an incredible environment with the teaching teams to match. Not only do I get to support the teachers here but the children too where I hope to empower them to be confident, capable, connected life long learners.

Anne Blockley
Administrator

I am the proud mother of 2 teenage children and have been the Administrator at 3 Bear Park sites for the past 7 years. Being the first point of contact as you enter Bear Park Dilworth Ave, it is with great pride that I welcome all families to the Centre. I thoroughly enjoy building relationships with all the children and their families and it is a delight to watch each child develop and grow as they move through the Centre.

Cherie Skilton
Coordinator

Coming from a large family my interest and love for children began very young. In 2008 I graduated from a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education which was a very interesting and beneficial course. Last year I continued on with my studies to complete a Graduate Diploma in Primary School Teaching which has opened up many doors for my future. Throughout my studies I have spent quite some time working with infants and toddlers at Bear Park and have developed a real interest and respect for teaching and advocating for this age group. Teaching in Early Childhood Education is truly my passion and I feel very privileged and excited to be one of the teachers in the infant and toddler room.
Acknowledging children as unique free-spirited individuals and giving children time and respect to grow and blossom into competent learners is at the heart of my teaching role. 

Vanessa Hellyer
Coordinator

Kia ora, my name is Vanessa Hellyer.  I currently live here in Auckland with my husband, Corey and our cat, Chester and have done for the past 10 years.  My family still reside in the town of which grew up of Wanganui which is a place still dear to my heart.

Since moving to Auckland I have always valued of the concept of community within Early Childhood Education and believe it is through our community of people and the environment that we are better able to develop our sense of self identity and culture, natural curiosity and a sense of empowerment as we experience new life. 

I have been with Bear Park since 2003 and feel I am constantly challenged and inspired to continue to offer unique learning opportunities in a environment of learners, which strives for high quality education for our youngest citizens. I value a culture of collaboration not just with the children but with teachers, parents and whaanau, and love hearing and sharing the stories of life. 

I believe that as a teacher it is vital to have an attune ear for listening to life’s curiosities which in turn cause me to laugh, think and ponder as the children do.  I adore being in an environment where life and beauty are tools for investigation and thought provoking encounters and shall endeavor to bring these to light as I continue my journey as a learner and teacher.

Cristiana Santos
Coordinator

Kia ora my name is Cristiana Santos and I joined Bear Park in 2005. I am from Brazil and have lived in New Zealand since 2003. I have a Bachelor of Physical Education and also a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, which I completed here just before I had my beautiful baby boy. I have developed a strong curiosity about children and education since the beginning of my studies. Being a learner instigates me and with Bear Park I have developed important knowledge and understanding about children and education.

I believe education is an act towards democracy and therefore each individual is valued as an active contributor. I am absolutely fascinated about young children’s learning and love sharing these experiences with them and their whanau.