Our Amazing Leadership Team

Noelle

Centre Manager

Kia ora, my name is Noelle.

I have been teaching for 20 years in ECE. I am honoured enough to be Centre Manager for both Karaka and Patumahoe Centres.

Originally from Whakatane, I now live in Puni with my partner and together we have 4 children who attend the local schools. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, running, cooking and baking. I'm very excited to guide the kaiako on their teaching journey whilst ensuring that tamariki receive the best quality education.

Natasha

Administration Manager

Natasha is our administrator, she handles all our enrolments and accounts enquiries. Natasha lives in Waiuku with her husband and has three daughters. .

Our Awesome Teaching Team

Patumahoe

Katelin

Head Teacher - Patumahoe

Katelin is our bubble, approachable head teacher at our Patumahoe Centre. She comes with a wealth of knowledge in New Zealand Sign Language and children with additional needs.

Gemma

Kia Ora my name is Gemma. I live in Patumahoe with my husband. I love spending time with my family and friends, shopping, fishing and holidaying at Cooks Beach and Mount Maunganui. I have been a teacher for 14 years and a qualified teacher since 2013. I have a soft and quiet teaching manner and I love to get messy and creative. I believe that children grow to be confident, competent and capable learners and I look forward to seeing them all grow throughout my days here. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Kia Ora my name is Angela. I am a mum to 3 beautiful adult children. I love getting outdoors and exploring walking tracks with my spoodle puppy. I work across both preschools. I have always loved working with tamariki and am so glad to be working in this beautiful country environment at Farmhouse. Angela works across both Preschools.

Angela

Ira

Kia ora! I’m Ira, and I’m really excited to be part of the Farmhouse Preschool Patumahoe whānau. I’ve been an ECE teacher for nine years. I’m passionate about supporting our tamariki to become confident and independent, and I hope to make their time here meaningful as they grow—not just for school, but for life. Outside of work, I love trying different cuisines with my husband, watching series, being outdoors, travelling, catching sunsets, and listening to or playing music. Looking forward to building good relationships with you!

Jess

Karaka

Kia Ora, My name is Mikayla, I live in Pukekohe with my Husband and two daughters. I bring with me not only experience and a love for early childhood education, but also her daughter Heidi, who will be joining us as well! Mikayla will be working with us on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Katherine

Kia ora, my name is Katherine. I am a mum to three children and live in Pukekohe with my husband. I have been working in early childhood for a number of years and enjoy the large outdoor space that I get to experience during my working days.

Daeun

Kia ora whānau,

My name is Daeun (pronounced like Dawn☺️)

I am a fully qualified teacher with five years of experience in early childhood education. I live locally with my husband and our three year old son, and on weekends, I enjoy going for coffee strolls and spending quality time with my young family.

I love teaching young children as they are at such a precious age, learning many important skills before heading off to BIG school. I like to create a warm and nurturing environment for our tamariki and to ensure every child feels a sense of belonging in their learning space.

Ko Karioi te maunga

Ko Waikato te awa

Ko Tainui te iwi

Ko David tōku Pāpā

Ko Linda tōku Māmā

Ko Erin tōku tuakana

Ko Aaron taku tane

Ko Hannah tōku ingoa

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Kia Ora, My name is Hannah. I am originally from the Waikato but now living in Auckland with my husband. I completed a diploma in Early childhood education in 2021. I have also completed my degree in early childhood from Manukau Institute of Technology. I am now going into my 6th year as an early childhood teacher. I enjoy encouraging children to develop their dispositions for learning such as curiosity, confidence, imagination and creativity. It is a real privilege to observe a child’s confidence grow. I am looking forward to getting to know your tamariki and watching them grow and develop. Feel free to come and say hi and have a chat.

Our Directors

Natasha and Kurt

Natasha and Kurt purchased Farmhouse Preschool in June 2022 after 17 years living overseas. They have settled down in Waiuku with their 3 girls. Natasha has a passion for early childhood and will be studying next year to be a qualified ECE teacher. Kurt will be our Farmhouse Preschool handy man taking a break from his previous job as a pilot.

Wendy

Hi, my name is Wendy. I have been an E.C.E teacher for 36 years. I have two grown up children and I also have my first grandchild a gorgeous little boy. Being a preschool teacher to me means, building the foundations for the future. Our tamariki are that future, and I believe my calling and job is to be that support, that nurturer, that caring teacher, bringing knowledge to their love for learning through their play.

Mikayla- Head Teacher- Karaka

Jess is our brilliant Kaiako who lives locally with her husband and two children. Jess is a very bubbly, knowledgeable and calm teacher who brings that element of serenity to the daily routine. The children gravitate to Jess as she has a beautiful way of settling children. Jess works Monday, Tuesday and Fridays.

Ella

Kia Ora, I'm Ella. Born and raised in Waihi alongside my two younger siblings. Started a career in ECE 10 years ago and haven't looked back. I am a lover of nature, outdoors and I love the connections I make with the children and Whānau