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Our People

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Caitlin Goodall, Centre Manager

Kia ora, ko Caitlin toku ingoa. I am a qualified and fully certificated Early Childhood Educator. I am a born and bred West Coaster and I have been teaching for 6 years now. This incredible journey as a teacher has lead me teach in communities across the South Island as well as some time in Australia.

I believe that early childhood education is a place for every child to have opportunities to dream, create, flourish and grow. I love being part of the Active Explorers Hokitika team, sharing knowledge, having fun, learning alongside others and sharing in the joy of seeing our most precious taonga, our tamariki learn and grow.

 

The relationships and connections teachers make and grow with children and their whanau provide a collaborative approach to a child’s learning journey and these connections can create a lasting impact on children and how they learn and grow into the future.

Inā kei te mohio koe ko wai koe, I anga mai koe i hea, kei te mohio koe. Kei te anga atu ki hea.
If you know who you are and where you are from, then you will know where you are going.

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood Education), Fully Certificated teacher – Registration # 376038; First Aid Trained

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Caitlin Wilson, Administrator

Kia ora my names Caitlin.  A bit about me, I have lived in Hokitika most of my life, I spent some time exploring the big city in Christchurch but I missed the beautiful West Coast rain too much and found myself back in Hokitika. My son, who is now 5, went to Active Explorers before moving on to St Marys School. I missed the lovely staff at the kindergarten so much I decided to come and be part of the team!

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Barbara Turner, Fully Certificated Teacher

Kia ora I’m Barb, I currently live in Mawhera (Greymouth). I enjoy living on the West Coast and walking our rugged West Coast beaches and tracks with our two dogs, I enjoy photography, the arts, music, gardening and enjoy the company of friends and family. I am a mother of 3 beautiful adult children and a nan to my first grandson. My partner is a local Jade Carver and jack of all trades.

 

Why do I have such a passion for early childhood? These early years are the foundations for life, children are confident and competent if we allow them to be and this is nurtured through play and quality time together. This is where our children’s journey as social beings begin and through my practice I like to nurture kindness and a love of learning through exploration, self-expression and discovery. I love not knowing what the day may bring. It is a real privilege to support our community whanau and I love meeting all the locals and learning about our place.

Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education; Fully Certificated Teacher - Registration # 318463; First Aid Trained

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Veronica Tompsett, Teacher in Training

Kia ora, my name is Veronica. I have a two year old son and in our spare time we like to play outdoors, go on adventures and make the most of family time. I am currently studying towards gaining my Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education through Te Rito Maioha.

I have always been passionate about becoming a teacher as I feel teachers play an important role in making a difference early on in a child's life. I aim to create a positive, caring and inclusive learning environment. I love working for Active Explorers Hokitika because everyone is so lovely and we all work together to make a great team to provide the best possible care and learning experiences for your children.

First Aid Trained

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Hera (Poppy) Parker, Teacher (uncertificated)

Kia Ora whānau.
My name is Poppy and I am one of the Kaiako here at Active Explorers. I have three tamariki, Lincoln, Presley and Ripley. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my whanau and friends, reading and taking my tamariki out exploring. Our favourite places to explore is anywhere with water and of course they love the park!

I enjoy being apart of the team here at Active Explorers as I love working in an environment where the tamariki are encouraged to explore freely and it’s a privilege to help support their journey of learning and discovery.

First Aid Trained

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Nadia Davidson, Teacher (uncertificated)

Kia ora, I’m Nadia. I have four beautiful children and we have made Hokitika our home as a family over the past few years. I love going being surrounded by nature as we are here in Hokitika and in my spare time I enjoy being at the beach, lake or adventuring on bush walks. I love Active Explorers Hokitika because I enjoy working in a great team and being part of every child’s individual learning journey.