Meet The Team at Equippers Kids

Kia Ora koutou, my name is Rebecca Robinson.

I am currently the Head Teacher of Equippers Kids Early Learning Centre.

I have been an educator in the Early Childhood sector for over 30 years.

My qualifications include a Bachelor of Education , Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching with Merit and I have a Certificate in Management- Level 4.

Last year I completed 1 year study at Equippers College in the Leadership Stream.

I have had experience in being a Centre Management at 2 Puna Reo, I have been a Professional Development Facilitator, Parents and First Teachers Facilitator and Senior Teacher for the Auckland Kindergarten Association.

I have 6 incredible children and 3 grandchildren.

I currently attend Equippers Church City campus.

My particular passion in ECE is ensuring that the teachers and programmes are delivering the best possible learning outcomes for children and their families.

Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Ni Sa Bula, Fakalofa lahi atu!

My name is Jacinta Ruakere.

I am the centre administrator. I have 5 years’ experience in customer service, administration and data entry. I’ve been in a few different administration roles however I am very excited to learn new skills and meet new families along the way.

I have a strong faith in God and I am very privileged that I can be apart of nurturing and raising up young children to have the best start in life.

I am very blessed to be married 4 years to my amazing husband Bronson, and together we have a beautiful little girl Willow who is attending Equippers Kids.

I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my family and friends, whether it’s going to the park, watching movies at home, or sharing a meal together.

I currently attend Equippers Church Manukau where my family and I love to serve every Sunday, it’s one of favourite places because we get to meet new people every week and we love serving our community.

I look forward to meeting all our children and their families and creating an environment where they can feel safe and belong.

Hi my name is Grace Sanele and I am one of the support staff here at Equippers Kids.

I enjoy playing sports especially touch and turbo touch. I also enjoying eating out at my favourite restaurant momo tea when I can.

I currently live at home with my parents and my 3 younger brothers.

I love working up close with the children and watching them explore new things about themselves. I love seeing their BIG smiles while they play.

Everyday day is different and enjoy learning new things each day about the children and early childhood education.

Hi my name’s Jen Ibarra.

I am the cook here at Equippers Kids.

Food is my greatest passion. I’ve been working within hospitality for the past 7 years. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and have 5 years’ experience as a professional chef.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my partner, Max, and our 2-year-old son, Jax – who also attends Equippers Kids. We love having adventures together and exploring more of what this world has to offer. I also love spending time with our wider family and friends.

I love people and feel honoured that I get to serve the families within our community through ensuring their children get nutritious and delicious food during the times they are with our care.

Hi my name is Chantelle Ewing and I am a provisional registered teacher.

I have a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood and I also hold and bachelor’s in hospitality and Event Management.

I am a mother to Ava (6), Amaia (4) and Aria (2).

My fiancé and I have a very large extended family which we enjoy speding time with on the weekends.

I enjoy cooking, fitness, travelling and exploring beaches and the park with my family.

Before joining the team here at Equippers Kids, I was at my previous centre for 3.5 years and I’m very excited to re-learn and be part of establishing a new centre. I’m enjoying the feel of our philosophy in action.

Hi my names is Verona Andersen (Vee).

I am a support teacher here at Equippers Kids.

I am a mum to 2 amazing children, and I’m also a nana to 3 amazingly unique and precious grand-babies.

I am a member of Equippers Church Manukau campus.

I love being part of the team here at Equippers Kids because I enjoy watching our young children grow and gain confidence in who they are. What a privilege to share this journey with them and their families. It’s such a great working environment and I have to say the best job I’ve ever had that’s for sure.

I look forward to the growth of our centre and seeing these amazing children flourish. Thank you to the amazing families of Equippers Kids for entrusting me with your children and allowing me to encourage and guide them.

Kia ora my name is Mariu Feau. I am of Maori and European descent.

I have a Bachelor of Teaching and Worldview Studies, from Laidlaw college. I have been teaching for 5 years. Four of those years were in Primary School. I enjoy visual arts and being creative. Sharing this creativity with my tamariki is the best feeling. I also attend Equippers Church Manukau, and love sharing Jesus love with my Tamariki, such as reading the bible and praying.

Hi my name is Valdina Campbell. I am married with 3 children.

I have a strong faith in God and very passionate about families.

As well as being the Community Coordinator for our wonderful centre, I have also worked as a Parenting Facilitator over the last 4 years under the Ministry of Education which empowers parents with strategies that helps improve parent child relationships and overall betters’ families.

I have studied and have qualifications in the area of Christian Leadership (Diploma), Pacific in Nutrition Health with the Heart Foundation and Business studies- Smart Steps to Business and Money Management and Adult Numeracy and Literacy with Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Kia ora, my name is Regan Reti and I am a registered ECE teacher.

My wife and I have a large family of 6 children and 10 mokopuna.

I studied Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) after doing lunch cover in my daughters early learning centre.

I love God, my wife and family, food laughter and sound.

I love to play and support children in their interests. I enjoy the conversations with our tamariki and helping them to express themselves through song, dance, music and art.

Talofa Lava! I am Whaea Tulei Hopewell born and raised in New Zealand.

I am of mixed heritage of Samoan who is my mum and English who is my dad. I have a lot of life skills to share. I have been teaching in ECE for the past 3 years, graduated from AUT South campus as ECE Pasifika teacher and I come from a background of finance for 20 years. I have lived in South Auckland for over 40 years, been raised with the love of God and Christian upbringing from my parents; that has grounded me as the person I am today. And I am the eldest of 3 other siblings. I have a lot of aroha- alofa- love and time for children so I can share, teach and be collaborative with fun activities. Demonstrating how to interact, behave and using mannerism in the world we live in today. Come and join our fun, adventurous centre.

Talofa, my name is Poia Alpha.

I am a fully registered teacher. I have over 40 years of primary teaching experience. I have taught year 0-4 and also taught in a new entrant’s class for the last 10 years. I was also a social worker in schools for 1 year.

I have 3 adult children and 1 grandson.

I home-schooled all my children up to high school level.

Apart from teaching I enjoy reading the bible, spending time with family especially my grandson, badminton, swimming, reading aloud to anyone, swimming, playing guitar and singing, listening to worship music and dancing.

Kia Ora Koutou katoa

Ko Bodelle Te Wao toku ingoa

Ko Kohukohunui te maunga

Ko Whakatiwai te awa

Ko Tikapa te moana

Ko Wharekawa te Marae

Ko Ngãti Hura te hapü

No Ngãti Paoa me Ngã Puhi ahau

I have been teaching in the ECE sector for the last 11 years. I have worked with a variety of age groups but have found that working with toddlers is my passion. Helping tamariki (and their whanau) is the most rewarding job I can think of! Knowing that my job is to help kids achieve their full potential and to help them feel happier and better about themselves, brings a huge smile to my face!

I pride myself on forming great relationships with whanau and families as I believe this is an essential tool to the development of a child.