All About This Company

Malcolm and Jo Brown - Owner / Directors

Malcolm and Jo Brown opened Akoranga Preschool on 12th December 2012. Jo has been teaching for about 20 years in Early Childhood Education. When the opportunity arose for them to open their own centre, they took that.
Malcolm is a handyman (as a hobby) and built or created most of the outdoor play equipment by hand. Malcolm, Jo and family all worked together to build Akoranga Preschool to the outstanding centre that it is today.

 

Jo Brown - Qualified Teacher - Owner / Director

I believe that children have the right to choose how and when they play and learn, to set their own path to discovery and do this with little to no interference from an adult.
I see each child as a unique learner and with an enriching and supporting environment children will develop to their full potential.
I am very committed in supporting families with the support and opportunities to enrich their children’s lives, their hopes, dreams, joys and aspirations. Families are the first teachers of our children and to build a trusting relationship with them in turn build’s the trusting relationship with their children.
My philosophy in early childhood is catch those “teachable moments”, to provide a positive friendly environment that continues the development of confidence, discovery, idea forming, a trusting warm inviting atmosphere that the children feel safe and empowered to be the best competent learners they can be.

Victoria Perkins - Qualified Teacher

Gore is my hometown. I studied at university in Dunedin and came back home to continue me teaching career at Akoranga Preschool. I enjoy doing crafts and being in the outdoors and also on the family farm.
As a teacher I believe in having caring relationships. I believe that children have a motivation to learn when they are given enough opportunities to make their own choices in an environment that has a safe, warm homelike feel to it with experiences that are challenging but achievable. So it is my job to make sure that children receive these opportunities to explore.
I also strongly believe in providing an inclusive environment where we respect and value each families culture, as all children are unique, children and their families come with a wealth of knowledge that should be acknowledged.
I look forward to working alongside you and your children at Akoranga Preschool

Erin Gray - Qualified Teacher

I believe as a teacher I am committed to giving children, family and whānau respect, acceptance and quality education. I feel strongly that the partnership reflected in the Treaty of Waitangi, that we as teachers and parents can provide the best possible environment where social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of all children are met.
I believe consistent communication and working collaboratively with family and whānau provides meaningful interactions, learning opportunities and experiences inclusive of all children. Building responsive and reciprocal relationships are an important support for children and parents in partnership. As a teacher I feel it is important to accept and treasure each child’s uniqueness, background and culture, and understand them as a whole, basing an environment where they can grow, learn and develop at their own developmental level. It is very important for me as a teacher to help each child meet their fullest potential in all aspects.
For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. I am excited to be able to serve future leaders and will strive to be the best, organised and effective teacher I can, who meets the requirements of my philosophy.

Alison Doorey - Qualified Teacher

I believe that every child has the right to be treated as an individual, and to be provided with the encouragement and support they need to reach their full potential.
To establish and maintain trusting and supportive relationships with parents/whanau. I will communicate openly and respect their values and aspirations for their children/tamariki. I believe that when families and teachers work in partnership in this way, children’s sense of well-being and belonging will be enhanced, enabling them to become competent and confident learners.
Communication with tamariki and their families will also help me gain an understanding of each individual child’s knowledge, experience and interests so that I can facilitate relevant learning opportunities. By providing a safe and stimulating environment, valuing their play as meaningful, limiting disruption and interacting with them in a purposeful way I will maximise my ability to identify and extend their learning.
I believe that by recognising children’s capabilities and empowering them to take the lead as they explore the world around them, they will form positive opinions of their own abilities and self-worth, and be well placed to confidently engage in life-long learning.
 
 

Chanel Potgieter - Qualified Teacher

I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as a educator to help children meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe,  and invites a sharing of ideas. 

Providing children  access to hands-on activities and allowing adequate time and space to use materials that reinforce the lesson being studied creates an opportunity for individual discovery and construction of knowledge to occur.

Helping children to develop a deep love and respect for themselves, others, and their environment occurs through an open sharing of ideas. When the voice of each student is heard, and environment evolves where children feel free to express themselves. 
For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instil a love of learning in children as I share my own passion for learning with them.  I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator that I can be.
 
 

Emily Mackey - Full Time Teacher

I am passionate about the care of young children. I am a firm believer that every child has different needs and it is up to me to ensure that these needs are met. I know that every child can be happy and enjoy being cared at for during their time away from home and I strive to provide a caring comfortable atmosphere for that to be possible.

I feel very strongly that the parents know their child better than anyone else and this is what will guide my day to day caring of their child. By forming a good relationship with the family I can care for their child as consistently as possible.
 

Kristy Summers - Administration / Support Staff

I believe in creating a warm and inviting environment where parents and their families feel comfortable. 
As I further my business management skills, I find that the tamariki also teach me and remind me to be who I am and not to be put down by the worlds persepctive. 
I thoroughly enjoy watching the younger members of our community learn and grown in an enriching environment that I helped create.
 

Janine Bryan - Housekeeping

I believe that it is important to build a relationship with children and their whanau, while all the time providing a clean, friendly and positive environment.
 
As an adult I learn from children, watching and enjoying how they learn.  I believe that children need to explore an environment without any adult intervention. 
Children teach us so much about respect, about empathy and about the world we live in. 
 
I enjoy the hands on approach to my job, helping the teachers when they need it and spending time with the children, meeting their daily needs with food and bottles.
 I strongly believe that by doing this it provides an environment that promotes better learning for all.
 
 

Karo Wilson - Support Staff

Kerry Churches - Support Staff