Kaiako

Sharon

Sharon Hillier

Centre Manager | Diploma of Teaching ECE

Living in magical Mangawhai for the last 18 years, I have enjoyed all that Mangawhai has to offer. Originally, moving from New Plymouth in Taranaki, where the mountain was at the doorstep, to the endless summer in the north has enhanced my family’s interest in making the most of beach life experiences.
In recent years, I have been able to travel more to a few places around the world. I would love to continue exploring more, hopefully in the not too distant future.
The words, community, aroha, tamariki stand out to me as an early childhood teacher. The connections we make are life-long and therefore are a big part of what I am passionate about. Building relationships, and making strong connections with the community in a loving, caring, respectful environment. This then gives our tamariki meaningful experiences to take with them on their learning journey with plenty of laughter, aroha, and confidence in themselves. I always feel so privileged to be able to work with and alongside tamariki and whanau within our fast-growing community at BeforeSix.

 

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Sarah O’Regan

Team Leader | Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

My name is Sarah O’Regan.  I am the team leader in the Kauri room. I am a fully registered teacher and have been working in the early childhood sector for over 10 years. I have 2 beautiful children of my own, aged 5 and 14 and my whanau and I have recently moved from Auckland to Waipu in pursuit of the small town, community focused lifestyle. Working closely alongside tamariki and their whanau is my absolute passion, and I strive to provide high quality care and education for all children within our early childcare setting.

Image Chrisine

Christine Hambrook

Teacher | Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

Kia Ora

Introducing Christine Hambrook
I currently work between the two rooms at Before Six as a registered early childhood teacher. My earliest experience of working with children began in Australia. Once I returned to New Zealand, I formalised this by training to gain a Bachelor in Education qualification. Mangawhai has been my home for the last three years, having moved out of Auckland with my husband in 2018. We have three grown children and believe it or not seven grandsons! Family is a strong focus for me personally and this has naturally evolved into the career path I have chosen to follow. My interests include staying fit through activities such as Pilates, walking our dog Bella Rose, swimming, weight training and I belong to a book club, singing group and volunteer for St Johns. 
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Jude

Teacher | Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Hello, I’m Jude, I’m a qualified and registered early childhood teacher. I have been working at Before Six for the past few years and have around 20 years of teaching experience. I am passionate about establishing strong connections with the tamariki and love working alongside children with special needs. I was born in Holland and have two young children myself.

Erin

Erin

Teacher

Kia Ora,

Ko Erin taku Ingoa, Ko Ngapuhi toku Iwi, Ko Ngati Kahu ki Whaingaroa toku Hapu.

My name is Erin and I have made the move to Magical Mangawhai from the Far North. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 11 years, and graduated with my Bachelor of Education in 2016.

I love working with nga tamariki, especially infants and toddlers. My philosophy is firmly grounded in the belief that relationships are at the heart of all learning. I love living in coastal communities, and thrive off being in or near the water, be it the Moana or a beautiful Awa.

I love to dance and sing and be silly, and I try to bring that into my teaching as much as possible.

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Shelley

Team Leader | Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)

Ko Shelley toku ingoa

Currently, I am the team leader in the Under Two room, an age group that I believe my strengths are best suited for. With the infants and toddlers in this room, I believe a calm and unhurried environment for your child is essential, ensuring that their wants and needs are provided for.
I graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and I am a fully registered teacher.
Moving to Mangawhai in 2020 with my husband has been the perfect choice for us, to be near my children and grandchildren (three of which are enrolled here at Before Six). The people of Mangawhai should be proud of the community they have created to date, warm, friendly and welcoming.
Chelsea James

Chelsea James

Teacher

Chelsea has lived in Mangawhai since the age of ten, but her whanau have been visiting here since she was born. Chelsea attended Mangawhai Beach and Rodney College schools and you may have seen her at various jobs so far throughout her career.  She loves being a part of children's learning and socializing development, but also watching them grow into incredible individuals. Chelsea started part-time relieving for us last year and has now permanently joined the team.

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Amy

Teacher

Hi, I have been working at BeforeSix since the beginning of 2021. I am currently studying to become qualified as an early childhood teacher. I enjoy growing studying and growing my range of skills. The uniqueness of each child is so special and it is a joy to watch each of them grow and develop into happy and confident individuals.
My family moved to Mangawhai in 2011, we have four children who love living in the area as there are so many places to explore. It is such a lovely place to raise a family.

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CLAIRE

Student Teacher

My name is Claire. I have lived in Magical Mangawhai for the last 13 years. I have 2 amazing children (that I suspect have superpowers), aged 5 and 7, a wonderful partner, a 13yr old Jack Russel, 5 fish and an ever-growing number of house plants. I have a passion for photography and I love creating new and exciting art and craft activities.

Both my children attended Beforesix full time and I always loved how the centre has been run. They were my babies second family. I loved it so much I decided it was a place I would love to work.

Children teach us so much and being able to be a part of the A-team at Beforesix makes me very lucky. 


Julie

Julie Corke

Teacher

Kia ora, my name is Julie Corke. I have recently moved from Auckland to Mangawhai and absolutely love it up here. I have three children and five grandchildren with another on the way. I have been working in ECE for many years and thoroughly enjoy it. I am passionate about supporting tamariki in their learning and creating a calm and positive environment.