Meet the Team

Centre Owners

Kristie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Centre Owner/Manager

Office Administrator

Relief Teacher

Kristie

Kevin, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Centre Owner

Relief Teacher

Handy Man

Kevin

Mighty Monkeys

Kathryn, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Head Teacher Mighty Monkeys Classroom

Diploma of Teaching (ECE) 2007

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) 2013

Full Teacher Registration

Incredible Years Certified

Current First Aid Certificate

NZ Sign Language

Kia ora, ko Kathryn toku ingoa.

I am the Head Teacher of the Mighty Monkeys classroom.

My husband Wayne and I have 3 adult children and 3 grandsons.

I started my interest in early childhood education as a Playcentre parent, and playing and learning alongside my sons. I have a strong passion for early childhood education and believe in fostering strong relationships with children, parents, families and whānau. Once children feel at home in our environment they are then ready and able to interact with people, places and things, building on strengths and interests. Another passion of mine is gardening, which I love and share readily with the children at Noah’s Ark.

Kathryn

Anneka, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Post Graduate Diploma of Early Intervention

Full Teacher Registration

Current First Aid Certificate

Incredible Years certified

Kia Ora,

My name is Anneka Barritt. 

I am a qualified and fully registered Early Childhood Teacher with over sixteen years experience.

My passion is supporting and encouraging children with additional learning needs.

Photography is a hobby I share with my fiancee while I also enjoy reading and being with family and friends.

Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) 2017

Registered since 2009

Incredible Years trained

Current First Aid Certificate

Foundations of Child Protection course 2017

More than Words Hanen Programme 2017

Anneka

Sarah, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

 Teacher

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Provisionally Registered

Kia Ora my name is Sarah.  I spend my time here at Noah’s Ark in the Mighty Monkeys classroom.

I love playing hockey, traveling around our beautiful country and spending time with my family and friends.

I have a passion for building strong relationships with tamariki and their whanau as I believe this is the best way to teach and understand their needs. Our tamariki deserve to have the best time in these early years and I look forward to guiding them to be kind, respectful and happy tamariki.

I am looking forward to continue getting to know everybody involved with this centre and begin my journey with you all!

Sarah

Debbie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Provisionally Registered

 

Kia ora,

My name is Debbie and I am part of the Tiny Tiger team at Noah’s Ark
I have been in childcare for many years starting with sole charge nannying in New Zealand followed by sole charge nannying in England. I then had two children of my own and moved back to New Zealand in 2018 when my eldest was seven.
My interests are swimming, gardening, learning about sustainable living, crafting, travel, and have recently started voluntary work at Whanganui Scouts as an assistant group leader.
My philosophy is that whānau & friends are important in my life. I value each tamariki’s individuality, strengths, interests, skills, and abilities. I believe that tamariki learn through play and it is important to encourage their imagination through support, guidance and care.
I love to provide messy play activities and meaningful learning opportunities that align to each tamariki and their interests. I respect all cultures, language, heritage, and ensure inclusion is practiced and I show integrity in all that I do, at work and in my personal life.

Debbie

Sandra, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Diploma of Teaching (ECE) 2002

Full Teacher Registration

Current First Aid Certificate

 

Kia Ora   ko Sandra toku Ingoa

My husband Andy and I have recently moved to Whanganui to be closer to our families.
We have 3 adult children and 4 beautiful grandchildren.
I started off as a Playcentre Mum and decided that I enjoyed working alongside young children. I went on to gaining my Playcentre Supervisor certificate and continued on to completing my Diploma in Teaching (ECE).
I feel very strongly about the free play philosophy as this allows children to enjoy doing what they choose to do and gaining life long skills such as creativity, imagination, social development , physical, emotional, cognitive  language skills and so much more .
As a teacher I believe it is important to  build up a positive and caring relationship with all children  to support them on their learning journey in their early years .
In my spare time I enjoy time with family and friends, reading and walking.

Sandra

Carol, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Deputy Head Teacher – Mighty Monkeys Classroom

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Full Teacher Registration

Incredible Years Certified

Current First Aid Certificate

Carol

Leonie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Qualified Primary Teacher

Full Teacher Registration

Current First Aid Certificate

Leonie

Tiny Tigers

Victoria, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Deputy Head Teacher – Tiny Tigers Classroom

Bachelor of Teaching

Full Teacher Registration
Current First Aid Certificate

Incredible Years Certified
Certificate In Sport Training and Development

Certificate in Child Psychological Development

NZ Sign Language

Hello my name is Victoria and I am the Deputy Head Teacher in the Tiny Tigers classroom. I began teaching in 2008 and gained my Diploma of Teaching ECE in 2011. In 2020 I gained my Bachelor of Teaching

I really enjoy sports and spent many years as a competitive road cyclist. I have studied for a Certificate in Sport Training and Development and Certificate in Child Phycological Development which gave me a greater insight into the development, health and well being of children. I have also completed papers towards a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise through Massey University. In my spare time I like to listen to music and read.

I look forward to working alongside all of our great children and their whānau.

Victoria

Lesley, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Head Teacher – Tiny Tigers Classroom

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)

Full Teacher Registration

Current First Aid Certificate

NZ Sign Language

 Incredible Years Certified

Kia Ora, my name is Lesley.

I completed my Bachelor of Nursing at UCOL Palmerston North in 2007 but fate decided that I was to take a different path in life and found out I was pregnant just after I finished. I have always enjoyed looking after children and discovered my passion for ECE after working as an In home educator for 6 years while I was raising my 3 children. After completing my Level 3 Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care, I decided to take the leap and complete my Graduate Diploma in Teaching ECE through Victoria University in 2015.

I believe that our tamariki should be in an environment where they know they are loved and cared for, providing them with opportunities to develop relationships not only with their kaiako but also their peers. And that our role as kaiako is to support and role model these relationships through genuine nurturing interactions with all of those involved in their day to day lives. I enjoy providing our tamariki with the opportunities to explore and develop their own working theories through a wide variety of activities and environments.

Lesley

Jackie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Teacher/Cook

Hi my name is Jackie & I have lived in Wanganui for the last 30 years after moving from Waverley.

I am married to David & we have 3 sons & 3 grandchildren.

I have been involved in childcare for the past 20 years & worked in Kindergarten & childcare centres.

I love animals & have a cat, a dog & goldfish. My new interest has been getting a motorbike licence so I can go on day trips & ride to work

Jackie

Amy, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Teacher

Hi, my name is Amy and I’m a kaiako in the Tiny Tigers room.

I love animals and currently have four pets! I also enjoy keeping active and regularly attend Crossfit classes, and have just started up Roller Derby training as well. I look forward to working with your tamariki.

Amy

Debbie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Provisionally Registered

 

Kia ora,

My name is Debbie and I am part of the Tiny Tiger team at Noah’s Ark
I have been in childcare for many years starting with sole charge nannying in New Zealand followed by sole charge nannying in England. I then had two children of my own and moved back to New Zealand in 2018 when my eldest was seven.
My interests are swimming, gardening, learning about sustainable living, crafting, travel, and have recently started voluntary work at Whanganui Scouts as an assistant group leader.
My philosophy is that whānau & friends are important in my life. I value each tamariki’s individuality, strengths, interests, skills, and abilities. I believe that tamariki learn through play and it is important to encourage their imagination through support, guidance and care.
I love to provide messy play activities and meaningful learning opportunities that align to each tamariki and their interests. I respect all cultures, language, heritage, and ensure inclusion is practiced and I show integrity in all that I do, at work and in my personal life.

Debbie

Sandra, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Diploma of Teaching (ECE) 2002

Full Teacher Registration

Current First Aid Certificate

 

Kia Ora   ko Sandra toku Ingoa

My husband Andy and I have recently moved to Whanganui to be closer to our families.
We have 3 adult children and 4 beautiful grandchildren.
I started off as a Playcentre Mum and decided that I enjoyed working alongside young children. I went on to gaining my Playcentre Supervisor certificate and continued on to completing my Diploma in Teaching (ECE).
I feel very strongly about the free play philosophy as this allows children to enjoy doing what they choose to do and gaining life long skills such as creativity, imagination, social development , physical, emotional, cognitive  language skills and so much more .
As a teacher I believe it is important to  build up a positive and caring relationship with all children  to support them on their learning journey in their early years .
In my spare time I enjoy time with family and friends, reading and walking.

Sandra

Jess, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Bachelor of Teaching

Provisionally Registered

Kia ora my name is Jess. I am from Wanganui and live with my partner Locky and

our son Zach.

I believe in respectful practice where each child is nurtured and cared for holistically in a safe and secure environment where their sense of belonging and wellbeing are met.

I look forward to meeting and working alongside tamariki and their family & whanau.

Jess

Leonie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Qualified Primary Teacher

Full Teacher Registration

Current First Aid Certificate

Leonie

Chantelle, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Full Teacher registration

Current First Aid Certificate

 

Kia Ora whanau,

My name is Chantelle and I am the new Tiny Tiger’s teacher here at Noah’s Ark. My partner Ryan and I and our two girls Baylee 12 and Ella 7, have recently moved to Whanganui so he could take up a new career in boat building, working for AMF boats which is my family boat business. We decided to take a big risk and packed up, sold up, leaving our little Village of Glen Massey behind, starting a new adventure here in Whanganui.

My passion for teaching and caring for young children came when I was very young and continued through high school so in fifth form I started one day a week volunteering at the centre on the high school grounds. This centre is a teen parent unit which was an amazing experience. I ended up working there for 15 years before changing to a centre closer to home. I love celebrating with Tamariki their achievements no matter how small it is and supporting tamariki to grow their confidence. I will strive to make each tamaiti feel safe, secure and know they have a place here at Noah’s Ark.

A little bit about how I believe my personal experiences have helped me to grow and understand young children as a teacher. My daughter Ella has a range of medical conditions from being profoundly deaf and having cochlear implants to developmental delays, speech delay and having a feeding tube and then mickey button when she was a bit younger. Through this we have worked with many different therapists and professionals which has allowed me to learn different skills to support a young person to learn and grow and understand better how a child with complex needs could be supported. We also took up sign Language classes to help support her in communicating with us which I transfer into my teaching practise. Ella has had to work very hard to get to the place she is toady and for that we are very proud of her.

As a family we like to go sailing and enjoy family time, whether it be exploring/ working on the farm, trips to the beach and spending time with family and friends.

I look forward to working here at Noah’s Ark and getting to know each tamaiti and their whanau.

 

Chantelle

Support Staff

Jackie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Teacher/Cook

Hi my name is Jackie & I have lived in Wanganui for the last 30 years after moving from Waverley.

I am married to David & we have 3 sons & 3 grandchildren.

I have been involved in childcare for the past 20 years & worked in Kindergarten & childcare centres.

I love animals & have a cat, a dog & goldfish. My new interest has been getting a motorbike licence so I can go on day trips & ride to work

Jackie

Sherryl, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Relief Teacher & Relief Cook

Hello my name is Sherryl.

I am a mother to 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren.

I started as a reliever around 2006. Before that I did in home care.

In 2018 I left relieving to look after my grandchildren. Now they are all at school I decided to come back to my passion.

In my spare time I have 3 other jobs which keeps me rather busy.

I enjoy being with family and friends travelling, camping and watching the grandchildren play sport.

I look forward to meeting you and your whanau.

Sherryl

Relievers

Denise, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Relief Teacher

Level 5 Information and Library Studies

Certificate in Literature and Library services for children and young people

167 & 168 Food Handling Certificate

Denise

Kristie, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Centre Owner/Manager

Office Administrator

Relief Teacher

Kristie

Chaska, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Teacher

Currently studying Bachelor of Teaching

Chaska

Sherryl, Noah's Ark Early Learning Centre team member

Relief Teacher & Relief Cook

Hello my name is Sherryl.

I am a mother to 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren.

I started as a reliever around 2006. Before that I did in home care.

In 2018 I left relieving to look after my grandchildren. Now they are all at school I decided to come back to my passion.

In my spare time I have 3 other jobs which keeps me rather busy.

I enjoy being with family and friends travelling, camping and watching the grandchildren play sport.

I look forward to meeting you and your whanau.

Sherryl