Teachers - Kaiako

Amelia Mabon

Kia ora,

I began working at Halswell Preschool, in the nursery, in January 2019 after completing my Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching endorsed in Early Childhood Education at the end of 2018. I currently have my provisional registration and am working towards gaining my full.

My personal philosophy of teaching is based on building trusting relationships with children through kindness and respect. It is my goal to build children’s confidence by giving them time to do things at their own pace and supporting them in their growing independence. I believe in the child-led curriculum, guided by the goals and principles of Te Whāriki. I feel that in order to create an environment where children are best able to learn and grow, we must first develop relationships with children and strengthen these relationships through respectful, responsive interactions. I feel it is also important to engage these principles when working with other Kaiako and families so that we can optimise outcomes for children and ensure both children and families have a voice in their children’s education.

In my spare time, I enjoy being creative, exploring the city and going for bush walks.

Jo Smith

Kia ora, I’m Jo. I started working at Halswell Preschool in January 2007, after spending 18 months travelling and working in England. I gained my diploma of teaching in Early Childhood Education in 1996 and am a fully registered teacher.  I believe that because the preschool has a small roll, we as teachers are able to build strong relationships with all families and truly understand where children are at in their learning.  I am passionate about educating children in different ways to keep healthy and active.   I enjoy giving myself a challenge which have include, completing Ironman New Zealand, Christchurch marathon and also The Great Wall Marathon. My racing days are now on hold as I spend my free time running around after my son Mathis with my partner Mark.  

Kathryn Chitty

Kia ora, I previously trained in Early Childhood in England. When I joined the Halswell team in May 2003, I soon after re-entered Collage and trained again for the New Zealand Diploma in Early childhood, qualifying in 2007. Halswell Preschool appealed to me because of its small roll and the friendly, respectful teaching practice. I value the opportunity to watch children learn and develop new skills every day.  I feel that being a part a child’s learning and building a good relationship with them and their families is essential to a child’s development. ‘Teaching young children to think begins with giving them time to think for themselves’, which then enables them to grow and learn through their own discoveries. 

In my free time I enjoy going aqua jogging then a jog home. I also enjoy pot gardening and roses, going to the movies, spending time with my 3 grown up children and my grandchildren and walking my dogs. 

Ella-Marie Hutchby

Kia ora,  

I’m Ella and I have had the pleasure of working alongside tamariki since 2013. I completed my Bachelor of Education (ECE) in 2015 and my Post Graduate qualification specialising in infant and toddler development and well-being in 2017. I am also a fully registered teacher. Halswell preschool has been my home since early 2016 and I love coming to work every day! My passion is working alongside our youngest tamariki, where I aim to create an environment where each child experiences warm respectful relationships and to be viewed as the competent and capable learner they are.  

I am originally from the Wairarapa but Christchurch is now a place to call home. In my spare time I enjoy cross-fit and spending time with family and friends.  

Chloe Evans

Kia ora koutou,  

My name is Chloe and I am one of the kaiako in the preschool ruma I came to Halswell Preschool in September 2017, after teaching in Timaru. My partner moved to Christchurch for a new job which made me re-consider what kind of teaching environment I wanted to teach in. Which lead me to look for a smaller, more intimate, whānau orientated centre. I am originally from the Wairarapa, I studied and worked in Dunedin for four years before moving to Timaru for two years, and now I am happily settled in Christchurch. 

I love spending quality time building relationships and getting to know nga tamariki interests which allows for meaningful learning.  

In my spare time I love going on road trips in the weekend with my partner, exploring the country we live in. I love fresh air, spending time at the beach, walking and keeping fit. I have always enjoyed baking and experimenting with new foods and recipes. 

I am also arty and love to draw, scrap book and create. 

Louise Woolley

My name is Louise Woolley and I am married with an eight-year-old daughter.
I have an art and design background (I came over from England in 1995 to work as a designer for FeltexCarpets before being made redundant in 2010 ) I then joined Randstad Eductation as a reliever at the suggestion of my own daughter’s preschool teacher.
I worked at Halswell Preschool quite often over the years, so many of you may recognise me from back then.
Of all the preschools that I worked at, Halswell Preschool was by far the nicest and had the friendliest staff. I was made to feel like part of the team and my family was even invited to the Xmas party.
I had a brief break from relieving as I got another design job, but again was made redundant. However, fortune shined on me and I bumped into Jan, who mentioned that Halswell Preschool was looking for a permanent reliever. The rest is history and I am pleased to say that I am back again and enjoying working at the best Preschool in Christchurch!