Our Teachers
Lesley Cox
Centre Owner
Commitment to Whanau and Community
With over 25 years of Advanced Nursing experience across a broad range of nursing fields, coupled with expertise in change management and process re-engineering, I bring a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge to my new role as the owner of Tui's Corner.
Born and raised in Auckland, I attended St. Mary's College, Ponsonby, pursued Health Science at AUT, and completed my postgraduate specialist nursing studies through Whitireia New Zealand. As a mother of four adult children and nine grandchildren, my passion for family and community is evident in my personal life as well. My hobbies include spending time with my family, reading, zumba, hiking, and environmental conservation.
My commitment to whanau and community, combined with my extensive professional experience, promises a nurturing and supportive environment for children at Tuis Corner, where they can grow and thrive in a safe, respectful space.
Nicole Dons
Preschool Head Teacher
I take great pride in building meaningful connections with all the children in my care
My name is Nicole, I am a devoted early childhood educator who has been living in the Hibiscus Coast for the last 10 years with my partner, Kaleb. I have two wonderful children, Ryder and Willow, who both attend Whangaparaoa Primary School.
In my leisure time, I enjoy photography and capturing precious moments with my camera. I believe that strong, respectful relationships (whanaungatanga) are the foundation for success and growth. I take great pride in building meaningful connections with all the children in my care and eagerly anticipate creating bonds with the Tuis Corner Whanau.
I graduated from AUT in 2011 with a Bachelor of Teaching and have been fortunate to teach ever since. My passion for early childhood education, coupled with my love for photography, adds a unique perspective to the Tuis Corner community, enriching the learning experience for the children.
Kirsty Trembath
Head Teacher, Nursery.
Qualified ECE Teacher
I love to work closely with each child and their whanau to better understand who they are
Hi I'm Kirsty I have been a kaiako for 10 plus years. As a kaiako I am very inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and Magda Gerber's RIE philosophy.
I have loved the time I have spent with the toddlers and infants, I take great joy in being part of all the amazing milestones fostering and facilitating each child's individual strengths and encouraging their independence.
I love to work closely with each child and their whanau to better understand who they are, where they are from and how I can create the best possible learning environment for that child.
Emily Calder
Nursery Teacher.
Qualified ECE Teacher
I love what I do! We have the honour of being a part of the development of our future generations!
Ko Emily taku ingoa. I have lived on the Hibiscus Coast most of my life and love raising my son here too.
I gained my bachelors degree in Teaching (Early Childhood) from New Zealand Tertiary College in 2019, and gained my full registration in 2022.
I have worked as a kaiako here on the coast for the past 10 years and have had the privilege of working alongside many different whanau and their tamariki. My personal philosophy highlights my commitment to creating an environment where tamariki feel safe, cared for, and able to freely explore, challenging their rapidly growing minds and bodies. I believe this is foundational to all early learning.
I love what I do! We have the honour of being a part of the development of our future generations!
Caitlin Hall
Provisionally Qualified ECE Teacher
I believe in upholding and empowering all tamariki
Kia ora, families and whānau, as most of you already know, my name is Caitlin. I have a beautiful 3 year old daughter named Isla. Isla attends another local daycare and we live in Stanmore Bay. I grew up on the Hibiscus Coast and absolutely love being so close to all of our beautiful beaches and parks. I feel very blessed to live here and love the sense of community feel. I have been teaching for 10 years.
In 2016 I started completing studies towards my bachelors degree in teaching early childhood and graduated in October 2023. My teaching philosophy consists of respectful care and respectful practices. Ensuring an environment that is inclusive of all cultural backgrounds, values and beliefs through honouring and celebrating these. I believe in upholding and empowering all tamariki with rich and quality curriculum and learning opportunities. (Whakamana) I strongly believe in the importance of getting to truly know and understand children’s, needs, interests and social-emotional development.
I enjoy engaging in strong, positive and collaborative relationships between families and whānau (Whanaungatanga) I believe having these meaningful relationships is crucial for tamariki to gain secure attachments within their early childhood settings to be able to establish a strong sense of well-being and belonging in these settings outside of their homes and be able to make connections between their early childhood environments as well as their homes. I love the sense of community early childhood settings have and already love being your kaiako in the Kereru room and a part of the Tuis Corner family.
Sara Vukovick
Nursery Teacher.
Provisionally Qualified ECE Teacher
I am super passionate about helping guide and foster connections with our tamariki
Kia Ora Whanau, My name is Sara, I’m one of our Kaiako in Riroriro Room here at Tui’s Corner! A little bit about me is, I love going for walks - no matter rain or shine! Dylan (my husband) and I have an amazing lil man named Luka, he is in the Kereru room! I’ve been in ECE since 2012 and have loved every minute of it!
I am super passionate about helping guide and foster connections with our tamariki to have the opportunity to help them grow into excited, confident, capable, and competent members of our society. I really enjoy engaging in messy play and dancing around to loud fun music! 🎶 I am super excited to be starting this journey with your beautiful babies! I cannot wait to get to know you all more.
Rachel Clinton
Nursery Teacher.
Provisionally Qualified ECE Teacher
I love teaching and am very passionate about sharing my love for the visual arts, reading, and nature and gardening with tamariki.
My name is Rachel and I grew up on the North Shore. My family has slowly been migrating up to Whangaparāoa since the early 2000's and I followed them up in late 2021! I love the area, especially the beautiful beaches in the summer and walking in Shakespear park.
I love teaching and am very passionate about sharing my love for the visual arts, reading, and nature and gardening with tamariki.
My philosophy as an educator is informed strongly by our national curriculum, Te Whāriki, as well as by my experience working in centres that are influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach and Aotearoa New Zealand's Enviroschools kaupapa. These perspectives reflect the child as a competent and vibrant learner who is capable of constructing a huge amount of meaning through play and alongside peers in their community. Teaching is done in partnership between the child, their whānau, the surrounding environment, and kaiako.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in 2021, having studied part time with Open Polytechnic while I worked in early childhood. I am excited to work with your children at Tui's Corner!
Susie Melvin
NVQ – Higher Level Teaching Assistant
(UK Qualification)
It is such a privilege to now be working with preschool tamariki here in Aotearoa
Four years ago my husband Chris and I moved to New Zealand after a life changing holiday. We have joined our grown up children and granddaughter over here and are really enjoying life on the Hibiscus Coast.
I seem to follow my children around, so when they started school I did too again! I ultimately qualified in the UK teaching Primary level in all subjects for 15 years.
I previously studied at St. Martin’s School of Art in London earning a diploma in Graphic Design. This explains my love for all things creative and art based.
It is such a privilege to now be working with preschool tamariki here in Aotearoa and getting to know their whanau on a daily basis.
Sarah Higgs
Provisionally Qualified ECE Teacher
I strongly value inclusive practice and believe that every young person has the right to access quality education and care
Kia Ora Tūī’s Corner whānau and friends! My name is Sarah and i have been living here on the beautiful coast with my partner Andre and our two boys, Leo and Quinn, for ten years.
I have come from a background of dance teaching – ballet, jazz, and hip hop. After having my children, I decided on a career change. Still wanting to continue my passion for working with tamariki, I gained my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) through the Open Polytechnic.
I strongly value inclusive practice and believe that every young person has the right to access quality education and care. I believe children learn best in an environment that fosters nurturing and respectful relationships with tamariki and whānau. An environment that challenges children to reach their full potential and allows them to explore their individual interests, and have those interests fostered by a team of supportive teachers. Most of all, I love when our tamariki are happy, thriving and having an awesome time here at Tūī’s Corner!
Get in contact
And let your child embark on a journey of learning and discovery in a warm and loving atmosphere!
