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Our People

Centre Manager Tom Wu
Tom Wu, Centre Manager

Kia ora! I'm Tom Wu, and I’m passionate about education and bringing joy to learning. My background is a blend of business and education, with degrees in Economics, Tourism, and Early Childhood Education, along with a Master’s in Education from the University of Auckland.

My career began in the telecommunications industry, where I worked as a Marketing and Commercial Manager across places like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, and the Middle East. I had the chance to support international projects and develop a wide range of skills, which gave me the versatility to handle various roles and challenges.

Transitioning to Early Childhood Education has been an amazing journey. I love working with tamariki, sharing the excitement of learning, and watching their curiosity grow. My approach to teaching is all about making learning fun and interactive, so children feel inspired to explore. I enjoy guiding them in creating their own stories and even add illustrations to bring those stories to life. I’m also a fan of using technology to spark their creativity, as I believe that nurturing a child's imagination is one of the most valuable gifts we can give.

Outside of work, I have many hobbies! I enjoy painting, experimenting in the kitchen, capturing travel memories through photography, and exploring traditional Chinese medicine.

I’m thrilled to be part of the Active Explorers Ellerslie community, where I can share my energy, dedication, and love for teaching with tamariki, whānau, and my team as we shape the future together.

 

My journey into Early Childhood Education is all about sharing the magic of learning with tamariki There's something truly special about connecting with tamariki and watching their curiosity light up. I believe in making education a joyful adventure, and that's why I'm all about interactive and fun learning that helps little ones grow. I've had the wonderful opportunity to guide kids in creating their own stories and even adding my own illustrations to their books. I'm a big fan of using cool technology to ignite their creativity. I truly believe that nurturing a child's imagination is one of the most precious gifts we can give.

Outside of work, I have lots of hobbies! I love painting with oil colours and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. When I travel, I take pictures to remember the fun times. Playing the piano is a real joy for me, and I'm also really interested in traditional Chinese medicine. 

I look forward to sharing my energy, dedication, and passion with my team, tamariki and whanau as I continue to nurture young minds and shape the future through my time at Active Explorers Ellerslie.

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Susan Hewitt, Administrator

Hello my name is Susan - I am the Receptionist/Admin person at the centre! I have 2 daughters - 18 and 21 years old. After working around teenagers in my previous life, it is refreshing to be surrounded by little "explorers" now!

I am a self-confessed indoor plant hoarder and am learning about gardening and trying to grow my own chillies! In my spare time I also love cooking and anything that involves wine and cheese!

I'm a firm believer in gratitude and "paying it forward" and hope every day I can contribute to making someone's day a little brighter!

Look forward to watching all our children grow and become amazing young people!

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Joan Ong, Assistant Manager
Kia ora, my name is Joan and I have been part of our centre since December 2018.
I moved to New Zealand with my family when I was 12 and have since completed my education here, attending intermediate, high school and university. I am a proud mum to three amazing young adults—a 22-year-old daughter and 21-year-old twin boys. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Auckland and later pursued my passion for teaching by attaining a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). As a fully registered teacher with over seven years of experience working with young children, I am deeply committed to fostering their learning and development.
I believe that every child learns and grows in their own unique, exploratory way. Building strong, respectful relationships with tamariki and working in partnership with whānau is at the heart of my teaching philosophy. By providing a nurturing and enriching environment, I strive to support children in developing essential skills, independence and confidence to reach their full potential.
I am passionate about delivering meaningful, high-quality early childhood education and look forward to getting to know your children, guiding them on their learning journey, and celebrating their growth every step of the way!
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Preschool 2 Head Teacher Lily
Lily Cressy, Head Teacher - Preschool 2 Room

My name is Lily Cressy. I am originally from South Korea and have been in New Zealand since 2011. I have a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and came to Active Explorers in 2021 with over 7 years of teaching experience in a private kindergarten. My lifelong passion has been working with little children and I believe every single child has fundamental goodness and potential. It is always rewarding to see our children so happy and engaged in their journey and I am so glad that I can provide them with a loving and fun environment. I am married to my husband Sam, and we have 2 precious children, Ezekiel, and Zoe.

Yitong
Yitong Wang, Head teacher (Nursery & Toddler Room)
My name is Yitong Wang, and I am from China. I have two older sisters and a younger brother, all of them live in China.
I hold a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) and joined Active Explorers in 2022 as a student teacher. As a teacher, I am energetic, patient, and passionate about early childhood education. I feel fortunate to work with such an amazing team!
I believe that every child is a capable individual who should be supported to become a confident and competent learner. I trust in their abilities and encourage them to take on challenges. I also believe that children learn best through play, curiosity, and active exploration. 
Life is fantastic and full of fun!