Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Whare Te Rito.
Te Whare Te Rito is the new shoot at the centre of the harakeke (flax). For us it signifies the young child and also all learners, with limitless potential, embarking on a journey of growth.
Te Whare Te Rito is a mixed age whare which provides care and education for tamariki aged 18 months to 3 ½ years.
In Te Rito, tamariki will discover an environment that is fun, supportive, and offers plenty of learning opportunities both inside and out. Our spacious outdoor environment allows us to provide opportunities for tamariki to garden and harvest fruit trees while developing their understanding around nature and kai. As a mixed-age whare, we foster tuakana-teina relationships (where the older tamaiti helps and guides the younger) between tamariki while recognising the value of ako (that the role of teacher and learner can be reversed).
With a teaching team of passionate, experienced kaiako and support staff, we express our sense of manaakitanga to create a welcoming, respectful, and caring space for tamariki. We provide predictable routines to support the settling-in process and work with whānau to plan for the learning journey of their tamaiti.
We value our relationships highly as these underpin all interactions within our whare. By working alongside the tamaiti and their whānau, we inform our individual planning and intentional teaching practice with the knowledge they bring and ensure this is reflected in the environment and child-led experiences we provide.
Our Teaching Teams are an important part of our centre as they offer consistency for tamariki and support whanaungatanga and manaakitanga between kaiako, the tamaiti and their whānau. By focusing on nurturing these relationships, kaiako are supporting whakamana; empowering tamariki to reach their full potential.
Below is the Teaching Team for Te Whare Te Rito; click their names to find out more about them.
Kia Ora, my name is Claire; I have been teaching for the last 15 years and I have a Bachelor of Teaching. During this time I have been both a teacher and a preschool manager for many years. I have been here since October 2018 and am loving the opportunity to be the Team Leader of the Te Rito team.
I have 2 children, Charlotte and Harrison, who are at school and we love to get away camping and crafting activities.
Kia ora, my name is Tracy.
I have worked at Surrey Park since 2011. I have a Bachelor of Teaching degree and taught for 9 years in Christchurch before moving here. I love my career of teaching children; watching them grow and develop is exciting.
I have 3 children Hayden, Phoebe, and Jaxson. In my spare time I enjoy reading and taking the children on trips and holidays.
Hi my name is Donna. I have been at Surrey Park since 2002. I am married with two adult children. I like spending time with family in my spare time.
Kia ora, I am a registered and qualified teacher, experienced in ECE and Primary. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and partner, taking the dog for a walk and am trying my hand at gardening!
Kia Ora, my name is Maria. I have been teaching at Surrey Park since 1994, taking time off to have my two amazing children Thomas and Renee. I am married to Shane and we have a small lifestyle block near Winton. As a family we love to travel and have family caravanning holidays. In my spare time I enjoy reading and baking and do my gardening under duress. I have a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and find my career in Early Childhood fun, exciting and challenging!!
Kia ora, my name is Toni, I am a wife and a mum of 3 ka rawe (awesome) tamariki. We all live on a farm out in the countryside where we practice sustainability and grow our own food. I am an avid bee keeper and passionate about working with children and find my job as a Early Childhood Educator very rewarding.
Hi my name is Pippa. I have two amazing children. I love spending time with my family and also enjoy camping holidays, summer sun and time with friends. I am passionate about working with children and enjoy my time and experiences with your children in Te Rito.
Kia ora everyone, my name is Lexie. I’m currently working towards my Bachelors Degree in ECE. In my spare time I like going for walks, cooking and making art. I have a lovely partner Kordell who is my high school sweetheart.
