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Our People

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Peta Probert, Centre Manager - Bachelor of Education- Early Years 0-8

Kia-ora, I have been working in early childhood education for over twenty years and hold a Bachelor of Education (teaching) Early Years 0-8.

I live in Palmerston North with my two beautiful girls; Jazmine 17 years and Sophie 11 years who attends Tokomaru School.  

I enjoy working with the team here at Lollipops Ruapehu and working in partnership with the staff, children and parents. I have been here for over twelve years.

I am very approachable, humorous and a good listener.

I am passionate about leading our children to become confident lifelong learners’ and love working with the children, families and team here at Lollipops Ruapehu

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Sue McGlasson, Team Leader Kakapo and Kea Room - Diploma of Teaching in ECE

Kia Ora/Hello

My name is Sue.  I began teaching in 2002 and lived in Scotland from 1991 until 1993 when I returned to New Zealand with my son Jordan.

We both lived in Mount Maunganui for most of our lives. I now live in Woodville.

We have one dog – Kronic and a cat – Cairo.  In my spare time my pets and grandchildren keep me well entertained.

I really enjoy working with the children, families and the team here at Lollipops Ruapehu

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Mackenzie Wilkinson-Hall, Registered Teacher - Bachelor of teaching ECE

Kia Ora my name is Mackenzie I am from Shannon and recently brought our first home in Levin. I have two children Emmerson and Asher. I have one furr baby which is my Tonkinese cat named Millie. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education with New Zealand Tertiary College. I have worked with children for over four years now.

I have been working with Lollipops Ruapehu, since May 2018 in the Kakapo room. I enjoy working alongside the toddlers and the fantastic team here at Lollipops.

I spend majority of my time with my whānau and closest friends, I love to go shopping and enjoy keeping fit through attending a gym. I look forward to building relationships with the families and tamariki.

I’m vibrant, energetic, approachable and also happy to help with anything or answer any questions you may have.

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Linda Oliver, Registered Teacher - Diploma of teaching ECE

My name is Linda Oliver, I am a registered practicing teacher. I have been working at Evolve Education for two years now. I am currently working at Lollipops Ruapehu covering Mackenzie’s, Maternity Leave.

I resided in Manawatu area since emigrating from England in 1978 with Richard, my husband and two sons. In 1981 had our daughter, who today also works with children. Over the years our family has extended with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

 

My interests are gardening, variety of art and crafts and travelling.

As an enthusiastic and educated professional with a commitment to facilitating outstanding first educational experiences for young children. My background includes more than 40 years in preparing   various preschool classroom activities, enforcing safety policies, tracking children’s social and emotional development, and in partnership with parents.

I am flexible in my approach to working within a team environment.

Working alongside children and families has been a lifelong passion. I’m excited to be working here at Lollipops Ruapehu

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Evelyn Lim, Registered Teacher- Postgraduate Diploma- Teaching ECE

Kia Ora everyone! I am Evelyn Lim and am extremely elated to be part of the team here at Lollipops Ruapehu.

I am a qualified early childhood teacher from Singapore with 18 years of experience nurturing children from 18 months to 6 years old. I attained my qualifications from universities in Australia and London. My first spoken language is English and am also able to converse fluently in Mandarin. I adore teaching children of this age group as I believe that we, as educators, together with parents, can be their pillars of support, to facilitate and scaffold in achieving their developmental milestones.

 

My personal motto is “Children are my passion, profession and responsibility”. To me, every child is a unique individual who deserves to be given the best we can in every aspect, be it physical, emotional, intellectual or social. Hence, having been in this field for so long, it has driven me to be versatile and sensitive in my styles of teaching and methods of nurturing. I believe they are our future leaders and we should provide nothing but the best for them.

I enjoy reading and travelling, which had led me to be smitten with this exhilarating town in New Zealand. I look forward to connecting with all of you here at Lollipops!

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Kirstin Amey, Teacher

Kia ora I’m Kirstin, I am a mother of three wonderful children. My eldest son is at Massey University; my middle son is at PNBHS and youngest daughter at PNGHS. I grew up in Palmerston North and just recently moved back. We are a sports crazy family being involved in mountain biking, tennis, rugby, netball and water sports just to name a few.

I studied Early Childhood through Massey University and I have many years experience working as an educator and special needs teacher in early childhood centres. Before joining Lollipops I spent my time at a rural Primary School as a special needs teacher and working closely with children who require extra help with their numeracy and literacy.

I have a great passion for children’s learning and care and enjoy implementing literacy and numeracy programs for young children through play. As well as a moving smart programme which focuses on developing children’s motor skills and provides the foundations necessary for early success and transition into school. I find it extremely rewarding seeing a child progress and the happiness they show when they have achieved something for the first time. By giving children opportunities and confidence I believe this can help them reach their full potential.

I look forward to being a part of the Lollipops Team as I continue to nurture and foster your tamariki/children’s early learning years as an educator.

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Amber Sullivan-Richards, Teacher - In training towards Bachelor in ECE

Kia Ora, my name is Amber, and I have been working here at Lollipops in the Kiwi room for over two years now, as I progress in my study to become an Early Childhood teacher.

I am in my final year towards my Bachelor of teaching ECE, at Te Rito Maioha.

When I’m not studying and working, I love to spend as much time as I can with my three dogs, Brax, Dusty, and Teddy. I am a big family person and enjoy being surrounded by friends and family, I’m an easy going, thoughtful and caring person, who always thinks of others, which are the key characteristics I implement in my practice every day.

As I continue to soak up all I can through my work and study, I have and continue to create and extend my philosophy of values, ideas and strategies about how to provide the best quality care and support for all children and Whanau.

One value I implement within my work every day is creating ongoing trusting and responsive relationships. I do this through creating a warm and caring environment and being attentive and available to all tamariki needs. Another strong value I embed into my practice is creating strong links to Whanau, culture, and community through every individual’s learning journey.

Over the past year I have loved getting to know and build positive relationships with the all children and Whanau here at Lollipops and look forward to strengthening these bonds throughout Lollipops life.

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Felicity Drake, Teacher - - In training towards Bachelor in ECE

Kia Ora, my name is Felicity Drake and I have been working at Lollipops since March 2021, I started in the Kakapo room with the toddlers and am now permanently in the Kiwi room with the babies as I am working/studying towards becoming a teacher in early childhood. I am currently in my second year on my Bachelor of teaching ECE at Te Rito Maioha and intend on finishing my degree in 2023. I found my passion for working with tamariki through my last job as a teacher aide at a primary School.

I grew up on a farm in the Manawatu and the Hawkes bay, but all my education has been in the Manawatu which means I had to go to boarding school from a young age, after leaving High school I stayed in Palmerston North for work and to live with my Partner, I consider Palmerston North to be my home now.

When I am not at Lollipops working, I enjoy playing and watching sports (mainly rugby), I like going to the beach as I enjoy surfing, I love spending time with my dogs pepper, samba and benny at my parents farm and my dog Koda who lives with me in Palmerston North, I spend a lot of time with my Partner and my family because it is important to me and  I try to get out and be active as much as I can. I find myself to have a fun, humorous, kind, and caring personality and am easily approachable.

As I am still quite new to the centre, so it is my goal to get to know every parent, tamariki, whanau, and staff member as I believe it is important to create these relationships and trust with each of you. I look forward to supporting, caring, and building relationships with/for your tamariki while also learning with them along the way of their lollipops journey.

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Rebecca Moffitt, Centre Cook

Hi! My names Becs. I’m the cook here at Lollipops. I live in Feilding with my partner, 3 cats and dog. My favourite thing to do is hang out with my family and friends and in the weekend play netball. When it comes to this job, I pride myself on making sure your child/ren receive nutritious and healthy foods to give them all the energy they need throughout the day.

I have had 4 years experience in a busy kitchen at Coffee on the square, where I learnt a lot about cooking, baking, food health and safety and much more. I have also been vegan for 6 years and have learnt a lot about gluten and dairy free foods that are very fulfilling! I’m so excited to bring these years of experience to Lollipops. I then worked as an ECE reliever for Staffroom Solutions. I loved this job and learnt a lot about early child care. I found that I have a great rapport with kids and can’t wait to get to know yours!

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