Play. Learn. Grow.
Play. Learn. Grow.
Centre Manager
Hi, my name is Carolyn and I am the Centre Manager of The Rumpus Room. I have been in ECE for 19 years, and have been managing Centres for the past 13 years. I am lucky enough to have been with TRR since the very beginning, before we opened in October 2012 and have loved being a part of the setup and growth of both TRRPC and TRRWV. The journey over the past almost 9 years has been filled with loads of fun along the way and I am incredibly proud of the team, who work hard every day making the centres a home away from home for all our tamariki and whanau, and space we have created at both our centres. I am passionate about working alongside such a talented team of teachers, working hard together to make the vison for our centres come to life.
I live locally in Westmere with my husband Matt, and our son Freddie, daughter Charlotte who both attend our Point Chev Centre and our curious cat Bomber! We love spending our spare time together as a family at the beach, the local playgrounds, hanging with friends, or relaxing in our backyard on a nice summer’s day in the paddling pool or playing cricket, football, croquet or listening to music!
Centre Mentor
Hi, I’m Heidi and I have been lucky to be a part of The Rumpus Room whanau since our Pt Chev centre opened in 2012. I have been working in ECE now for 16 years so I can truly say that it is a passion for me and not just a ‘job!’. My husband and I met at high school (quite a while ago now) so it feels like in some ways we have been together forever. We also have a wee little guy called Quinn who was born in 2017 and it has been incredible watching him see, learn and explore his new world. I definitely have a whole different level of empathy and understanding for what it is like to be a parent know I have my own child. Creating a place where children feel comfortable to be themselves, are treated with kindness and respect and feel safe to freely explore alongside people that really know them is what is really important to me and underpins my teaching and learning philosophy. I feel honoured to be here at The Rumpus Room working alongside a passionate team of children, families and teachers.
Nest Team Leader
Kia Ora, Fal’e here! I have the pleasure and privilege of being a kaiako at TRR both at PC and WV since 2012! I have been the team leader at The Nest at Waterview since January 2019. It may sound cliché but I truly love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else! I have worked alongside infants and toddlers for most of my teaching years although I have also worked with preschool and school-aged children. For me though my passion is with children under the age of two years. I am inspired by the practices of Magda Gerber and Emmi Pikler (R.I.E) and strive to uphold the principles of respectful care. I am an advocate for primary care, honouring te ao Maori and the natural world. I am passionate about creating an environment that is engaging, curious, exciting but also safe, trusting, calm and with a feeling of ‘a home away from home’. My goal is to establish, grow and support our Nest whanau firstly with the tamariki, kaiako and the whanau.
Nga mihi nui
Nest Kaiako
Kia Ora! My name is Mariana. I have a cochlear implant, which allows me to hear and communicate with various people. I have completed two Bachelor Degrees: Business in Operations Management at UNITEC in 2016 and Education in Early Childhood at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in July 2020. Throughout the three years of studying ECE, I have gained experience and developed knowledge along with Te Whāriki during practicums (various centres in Auckland). This is my first permanent teaching role, and I’m honoured to be part of the Nest team at The Rumpus Room. Recently, I am working towards completing my full teaching registration. I am passionate about learning something while working with the team, children and whanau (families). Moreover, seeing the laughter and smiles undoubtedly lift the mood and atmosphere; this is why I tend to enjoy working at the Nest. I enjoy watching TV series and movies online, spending time with my father and friends, napping, and travelling in my free time.
Fledglings Kaiako
Kia Ora, I’m Janey, I am a Waterview local and really enjoy the connections I now have between my work at TRRWV and the community. My son attends the local primary school which only further increases the links. I have over 20 years of teaching experience and have worked in both New Zealand and England. I hold both a Bachelor of Education (ECE) and a Diploma of Teaching. Being part of our children and their whanau life is the part of my work I value the most. I work school hours 8:45-3:45 five days a week. Thanks to all the whanau social events we hold here at TRR I still get to know most of our families. I love spending time with my family, travel, movies, getting out into nature, gardening and food. Please come and say hi and have a chat if I don’t get to see you during your normal drop off and pick-up times. As I said connections are very important to me
Fledglings Kaiako
Kia Ora! My name is Tiffaney. I am a passionate teacher who loves to see children grow, discover, and explore the world around them. I have been teaching for many years, starting from when my daughter was a little girl (she is 19 years old now). I have a Bachelor of Teaching ECE. I love to share my knowledge and explore new and interesting things. A love of art experiences – I like to explore these and watch as we discover ways to be creative. To have fun, laugh and enjoy the moments. I love to walk the wonderful bush tracks around West Auckland, going to the beach, camping and spending time with family and friends. One of my favourite whakatauki that I feels is my teaching journey is: Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini. My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective.
Explorers Kaiako
Hi, I’m Kylie and I’m so excited to be a part of the teaching team at The Rumpus Room. I have been teaching in ECE for the last 15yrs and have enjoyed every second of those years. I can honestly say that I learn something new every day from all of the amazing tamariki that I get to spend my time with. I live in West Auckland with my husband and our two children. I was very lucky to be able to be at the same centre while my children were enjoying their “kindy” days. It was amazing to be a part of their learning journey.
I love creating spaces that children can be themselves, feel challenged, be inspired and have fun! I strongly believe in play-based learning and enjoy being able to learn alongside our youngest learners.
Kai Creator
Hi I’m Amy and I’ve been working with the fabulous teaching team here at The Rumpus Room since 2018. I’m a fully qualified chef and fondly known as the Kai creator here at The Rumpus Room.
I’m passionate about nutrition and incorporating learning and knowledge into food experiences with the tamariki. I’m actively involved in our community being the Pt Chevalier brownie leader for the past 4 years which I love. I have 2 amazing daughters and a wonderful partner of 22 years.
Support Kaiako
Malo e lelei everyone! My names Helena, and I’ve had the privilege of working with The Rumpus room since late 2020. I was fortunate to know of this role through my sister, Courtney, who was a previous kaiako at the Point Chevalier Rumpus Room a couple of years ago. I grew up in a big family, 5 brothers and 2 sisters, so the busyness and excitement of the rooms is nothing new to me. Ive always loved being around my many cousins and having the opportunity to look after the younger ones. So, naturally, this role is more than a job to me and is one that I take with much pride. One of my favourite things is to witness the amazing growth each individual child goes through, and I am very lucky and grateful to be in the position I am right now.
Student Teacher/Support Kaiako
Kia Ora Families and Whanau! I am Mike, a student of New Zealand Tertiary College completing a course in Graduate Diploma in ECE. I will be doing my field practice in Early Childhood
here in Rumpus Room – Waterview. A little something about myself – me and my family have been living in New Zealand for 12 years but I grew up in the Philippines and just recently briefly lived in Canada before moving back to Auckland. I am a father of 3 which I am privileged to be looking after as a stay at home dad during their early growing years. This experience has actually inspired and encouraged me to take the path of studying ECE. During those years my children has taught me that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which they can grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. I am interested in playing sports and I play the guitar and piano. I plan to incorporate these interests in my teaching. I am looking forward to learning alongside the supportive teaching team and the
wonderful children at The Rumpus room.
