MEET THE TEAM

  • Sherene

    Welcome to the MBCC whanau 💚  I am privileged to manage the lovely team that educate and care for your children.  I enjoy seeing children settle into MBCC and developing a sense of belonging - this is their place too!   I've been qualified as an ECE teacher for 17 years and I also have degrees in Business, Marketing and Science & Technology. 

    My passion is igniting a love of learning that will continue for a lifetime!  This is why play based learning and a safe and supportive, consistent environment to learn in is so important for children.

    Mike and I have 3 teenage children that we are proud to see growing into confident and capable adults.  As a family we love to spend time together swimming, golfing, holidaying to fun places and walking our little dog Lucky.

  • Mike

    Hi I'm Mike and support my wife Sherene to manage MBCC.  I am a qualified Builder of 30 years and continue to do all of the renovation and maintenance work on MBCC - my love of creating started when I helped build the sandpit area when I was 17 years old! 

    My mum started this centre with the love of children and their wellbeing in mind.  She worked as a teacher with children for over 35 years and I'm glad that we can continue her passion.  I'm often doing carpentry, bikes on the ramp, gardening and playing music with the children.

  • Kate

    As a qualified and fully registered teacher of over 20 years, I feel so lucky to be part of the early learning journey of the tamariki who attend MBCC, supporting and extending their interests in meaningful ways.   My personal teaching philosophy is based on respect for children and their learning and play, and I have a particular interest in celebrating children's special moments and experiences through documentation. 

    I enjoy supporting our MBCC teaching team in their roles and updating MBCC social media pages so our whanau can see what their little ones are up to during the week while at the centre.  Outside of MBCC, I love walking our local beaches with my husband and our little schnauzer Chloe, reading, practicing yoga, and baking.

  • Avalon

    I am a qualified, fully registered teacher who has worked in the early childhood sector for over 25 years. It is a privilege teaching young children nurturing and supporting them as they grow and develop while fostering a love for learning and building strong relationships.

    It is such a satisfying role seeing our young one’s blossom from a young age through to school readiness, leaving us knowing they are happy, confident and well prepared. I have two grown-up sons and in my spare time I love travelling, reading, cooking and gardening.

  • Sue

    Kia ora, I'm Sue and I have a degree in Early Childhood Education from AUT in 2011. I love being with children and enjoy joining in on their play. 

    I'm passionate about encouraging children's own strengths and dispositions, diversity and letting children be who they want to be. I have a teenage daughter whom I love to spend time with and I enjoy paddling out on the water on my SUP, walking and hot pilates.

  • Pauline

    I am a fully qualified and registered early childhood teacher with a Bachelor of Education (ECE) specialising in Montessori which I completed in 2011 through AUT. I see my role as a teacher as someone who supports each child as they learn about their surrounding world and discover new interests and ideas while being valued and respected.

    Being a teacher is rewarding and knowing I have played a part in a child’s development and learning makes my job all that more fulfilling. I have three grown up children and in my spare time I enjoy reading and walking.

  • Zakia

    I’m a qualified and registered teacher, holding a Graduate Diploma from NZTC, with a passion for nurturing and fostering resilience and independence for young learners. Originally from South Africa, I’ve made New Zealand my home with my husband and two sons.

    When I’m not teaching, you can find me spending quality time with my family, experimenting with new recipes or enjoying walks with friends. As an educator I find immense joy in witnessing the growth and development of our young learners, knowing that I’ve played a role in shaping their educational journey.

  • Blythe

    Hello, I’m Blythe! I am a qualified and registered teacher here at MBCC. I am from South Africa and have been living in New Zealand for the past 6 years.

    My favourite part about being a teacher is building strong relationships that allow children to feel confident in exploring, expressing and experiencing! In my spare time I enjoy pottering around my home and garden, going for walks with my partner, stepdaughter and dog, macrame, gardening and being in nature.

  • Nadine

    My name is Nadine and I am originally from Germany.  I emigrated to New Zealand in January 2018 with my husband and our three children.  I have been working in the ECE sector as a teachers’s assistant for around 6 years.  I am first aid qualified and I enjoy preparing delicious food for our children’s morning and afternoon tea here at MBCC. 

    I enjoy working with children and seeing how they learn new things and grow.  In my free time I like to read, go camping with my family and spend time at the beach with my dogs.