Teachers
St Mary’s Early Childhood Education Centre has 8 teachers, including and led by our Head Teacher, Heather Te Huia.
Meet the Teachers
7 of our teachers are qualified and registered teachers.
Our community gives more information about what Janet does.
Matt - Senior Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Matt James.
I have been part of the St Mary’s church community for about 10 years, and I’m thrilled to be part of the St Mary’s ECEC teaching team. I have been an ECEC teacher for 5 years and have a background in hospitality. I am married to Shoba and have 2 school-aged children, Bryan and Shernaia. My interests include cooking, reading and playing the guitar.
Carrie
Kia Ora, my name is Caroline Reynolds (Carrie) I am a qualified and Registered teacher with a Bachelor of Education ECE from Whiteriea Polytech.
I live in Johnsonville and come from a large family that I love spending time with. I enjoy nature walks, and volunteering at the Riding for the disabled and the local Girls’ Brigade. I enjoy working with children and enjoy building meaningful relationships.
Claire
I believe that it is of paramount importance that each child creates the perception of themselves as confident, competent learners, and social beings as well as being secure in their own sense of belonging.
Learn More
Kia ora, my name is Claire.
I started at St Mary’s in 2003 as a reliever. In 2004, I took on a full-time permanent position, working alongside experienced and skilled registered teachers who helped me understand and learn the Early Childhood Curriculum.
I believe that it is of paramount importance that each child creates the perception of themselves as confident, competent learners, and social beings as well as being secure in their own sense of belonging. I am currently responsible for the care of our smallest children.
Prior to St Mary’s, I established the Marie Claire Nanny Agency, recruiting and placing nannies for the Wellington, greater Wellington, and Nelson/Marlborough areas, which still operates today.
Waruni
Kia ora, My name is Waruni and I’m a teacher at St. Mary’s.
Malanie
Kia Ora, My name is Melanie Hart and I have been working here since January 2020.
I am qualified with a Bachelor of Education from Victoria University and am registered with the
New Zealand Teaching Council. I enjoy football and taking photographs and on odd occasion when I am not working i just relax. I live in Hataitai, with my flatmates. My role here is to work with the under two-year-olds.
“We have been part of the St Mary’s family for the past 5 years and couldn’t be happier with the warm, secure and fun learning environment.
The wonderful, caring and experienced staff are all so welcoming, they know the individual children and families well. We so appreciate the smiles, the cuddles, the love, the laughter and of course the hard work and dedication they put in to make it such a happy and nurturing place.”