Our People

Tena Koe, Having recently moved into the Selwyn District looking for a new adventure in our lives we are very pleased to be owning and managing Ako Rolleston and being part of such a connected community. I have been an Early Childhood kaiako for a number of years now and enjoyed many roles throughout this time, my passion is providing an environment for children where they can succeed and lead their learning journey at their pace, observing what makes them spark and providing opportunities for them to go where ever they choose.

Andrew has been a truck driver for a many years now and has been on the early childhood journey alongside myself over the years. So it makes sense that together we are now providing an environment where tamariki have the best possible opportunities, learn and thrive, develop a passion for learning and are curious about the world around them.

We look forward to including your whanau in our whanau and together giving your child an amazing early childhood experience.

Hi, I’m Jonathan. I have two children, Benjamin, 14, and Dain, 21. My family and I moved from Auckland to our current home in Rolleston about five years ago, and we’ve loved integrating into our new community.

As an early childhood teacher, I strive to create a warm, nurturing, and inclusive environment where each child feels valued and empowered. I’m a proponent of play-based learning, which lets  children explore and discover in a developmentally appropriate way. My approach involves hands-on, experiential activities, providing the resources and support needed for comprehensive development..

I also emphasize strong relationships with students, families, and the community, believing that collaboration and communication are key to every child’s success. My ultimate goal is to foster a lifelong love of learning in my students and empower them to become confident, capable learners ready to face the world’s challenges.

My name is Kara

I am a primary trained teacher and have been working in that area for the last 4 years, however, I am very excited to be making a shift to the early childhood sector.

I live in Coalgate (out between Glentunnel and Hororata), with my husband Blair and son Ben, who is part of the Nursery whanau.  I enjoy being outside in our large garden where I get to enjoy and am also fortunate enough to be able to grow/freeze and preserve most of our fruit and veggies for the year. In my spare time, I also enjoy making good use of the local walks and playing drums.

Hi, my name is Andriette, but everyone calls me Anna. I hail from the vibrant land of South Africa and have embarked on a new adventure in New Zealand with my loving husband and our two wonderful children. My journey and experiences have deepened my passion for nurturing tamariki, and I am dedicated to their growth and learning as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Education, which has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for young learners. I am honored to be a part of the Wāhi Ako Kākano team, where I strive to inspire and guide the next generation. Since joining Ako Rolleston in March 2024, I have been committed to fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in our tamariki, helping them thrive and reach their full potential.

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