Our Team

Shay Dixon: General Manager

Shay Dixon: Director Operations

Nicole Downie: Education Manager

Masters of Educational Leadership, Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership, Higher Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Teaching (ECE), Diploma of Teaching (ECE), Full Teacher Registration

My name is Nicole Downie. I am the Education Manager at Future Kids. I first became involved with Future Kids Ohaupo while I was visiting a student as a lecturer a few years ago. I was so impressed with the centre that I enrolled my son Kurt there and then. My career in Early Childhood Education has been built over 20+ years. I have been a kindergarten teacher, head teacher, play specialist (hospital based), manager, lecturer and senior academic.

We live in Te Awamutu. My husband Bryan is a plumber. When I am not working, I am enjoying time with my family. As a child, I grew up in the Otorohanga and Te Awamutu farming districts

Sue Hill: Centre Supervisor

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Zimbabwe qualified), Nursery Nursing (National Examination Board UK)

Kia ora, I’m Sue. I hail from Zimbabwe, Africa, where I completed my early childhood studies and worked in ECE settings in both Zimbabwe and Botswana, prior to immigrating to New Zealand.

In 2011, I was privileged to join the wonderful Future Kids Ohaupo community where I worked as a teacher across all age groups and was team leader of the Water room, prior to becoming centre supervisor.

I am passionate about children’s learning and believe in respectful relationships, empowering children to be confident learners who believe in their capabilities. I am excited to be a part of the Future Kids philosophy, supporting nurturing education through sustainable approaches.

My husband and I are part of a very active family, who love fishing and the outdoors. When we are not supporting our three children’s many sporting activities, we can be found exploring the waterways around New Zealand and enjoying the great outdoors.

Kelpie Siemelink

Kelpie is the person to go to for all account, invoice and payment queries. Kelpie is the person who sends your invoice to you each week and manages any winz payments, the banking and accounts.

Theresa McKeown: Office Administrator

My name is Theresa McKeown I live in Hamilton, with my partner Jeremy, I have two daughters Amanda who is in her twenties and Emma who is 13 years old and in her first year of high school. As a family we enjoy many hours of boating and fishing and spending time when we can at the beach.

I enjoy working at Ohaupo Future Kids, in the office. It is a lovely warm and welcoming environment. I am looking forward to meeting more families and excited to be part of a great team of staff and teachers.

Shelly Proebstel: Team Leader, Fire Room

Kia ora Ohaupo whānau, ko Shelly tōku ingoa. I am a qualified teacher. I live 5 minutes from Ohaupo on the way to Te Awamutu. I am the eldest of seven children. I have been working in early childhood for seven years, both in centres and through home based care and nannying. I believe children bring a freshness to life that we lose as we reach adulthood and I Iove coming to work everyday and being inspired by the next generation. I have a passion for music, photography and the Maori culture. In my spare time I enjoy being with family and friends, photographing, singing and listening to music. I have a dog called Beau and a cat called Cleo and they are my babies!

Sheraya Theron

I became involved in early childhood education after I finished high school and went straight into getting my teaching degree (ECE). Over the past 4 years I have worked in early childhood education in Cambridge. I live in Te Awamutu with my husband, Etienne. I enjoy photography, going to the gym, and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to getting to know the children at Future Kids Ohaupo and being part of their learning journey.

Alesha Smith

Kia ora. I live in Kaipaki with my husband and two children. I have worked in Early Childhood Education for 5 years. I gained my degree in teaching Early Childhood Education in 2015. I look forward to being part of the Future Kids Whanau and working alongside everyone.

Alex Morgan

Kia Ora,

My name is Alex Morgan, I am from Cambridge and live at an Adventure Camp at Lake Karapiro.

I gained my level 5 certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education in July 2016.

I have always had a passion for children, growing up with a large family and always being surrounded by children.

I am excited to be in partnership to create a learning environment that is safe and respectful for your family.

Jane Blanch: Team Leader, Water Room

Hi, my name is Jane Blanch, Team Leader in the Water Room. I am originally from Auckland and have been working in Early Childhood Education for 28 years as a Teacher, Play Specialist, Early Intervention Teacher and Nanny. For the past 10 years I have been mainly working overseas teaching Kindergarten in international schools and have lived in China, Vietnam, Thailand and Egypt. As a VSA volunteer, I spent 2 years in Bhutan helping develop E.C Programmes. I am now living in Te Awamutu and very much enjoying being part of the Future Kids Ohaupo Community.

Bonnie Ryland

Hi I'm Bonnie, I live with my family in Ohaupo and I am very passionate about working with children! I have previously been a nanny and I have a 3 year old brother, Charlie who I adore! In my spare time I enjoy performing arts and socialising with friends and family.

I love getting to know each and every child with their diverse personalities and I strive to make each and every day enjoyable and interesting for all!

Rachel Young

Hi, my name is Rachel and I live in Te Awamutu with my fiance Larry and thirteen year old daughter Katelyn. I have been working in early childhood for the past twelve years both as an early childhood teacher and as an education support worker. I have a Bachelor of Teaching and have recently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Leadership & Management. I have a strong belief that the environment acts as the third teacher and believe children learn best in nature. I love the outdoors and whenever we have a free weekend my family and i enjoy to getaway for a weekend at Mount Maunganui.
I am so excited to join the team at Future Kids Ohaupo and look forward to getting to know you all.

Sue Gibb: Team Leader, Earth Room

Kia ora, My name is Sue Gibb and I have lived in Pirongia Village since 1996, where I have raised my three boys.

I have been in early childhood since the year 2000 and have worked with children of all ages from birth to 5yrs.

I have been working at Future Kids Ohaupo since Oct 2016, and work five days a week. I am a Matanga Kaiako

(qualified teacher) and hold a diploma in early childhood education. I am the team leader for the Earth room and

I look forward to sharing your child’s learning and development journey with you here at future kids.

Nga mihi Sue.

Trish White

My name is Trish White. I grew up in Hamilton until I studied at the University of Otago. After meeting my husband Neil, I worked as an English language teacher in the Middle East (Oman) for 10 years and we had four children while living there. We now live on a lifestyle block near Cambridge where I love spending time with my family, reading, cycling and gardening.

I studied the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at the University of Waikato in 2013. I believe that building really positive and meaningful relationships with young children and their families/whānau, is the best way of truly understanding each learner’s own particular strengths and interests to further develop their learning.

Kirsty Eichmann

Hi there, my name is Kirsty Eichmann. I completed my training at Waikato University in 2011. I love teaching and learning alongside our curious and confident Earth room children at Future Kids Ohaupo. I am passionate about providing respectful, nurturing care to the youngest members of our community. Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my beautiful family (we have an energetic, curious and joyful toddler, Hugo, and a large energetic dog), renovating our home, baking, the beach, camping and spending time with family and friends.

I look forward to getting to know you and your children here at Future Kids Ohaupo.

Katie McNaughten

Hello, my name is Katie and I live in Te Awamutu. In my family there is my mum, Bev, my dad, Mark and my brother Kirtis and his partner Nikki. My partner Jacob, and I, have two cats named Charlie and Eric. Some things that I enjoy are going to Whangamata beach with my family and friends. I enjoy playing sports, I am currently playing prem reserve netball, indoor netball and squash. I used to do boxing, that I loved but didn't have the time to continue with. In my spare time I enjoy going out on the farm and cruising around on the bikes and milking

Katelin Flexman

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Graduate Diploma of Information Technology in Education

Katelin is currently on maternity leave.

Paula Brown

Relieving staff

Raewyn Miles