Our Team

Abbey Henry-Metcalfe: Director Marketing

Abbey Henry-Metcalfe: Director Marketing

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 Ohaupo Childcare 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.

Kelpie Siemelink: Administration Manager

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.

Gemma Weston

Kia ora whaanau,

My name is Gemma. I am a fully Qualified and Registered Teacher who has been teaching for over 15 years. I really enjoy interacting and teaching children and have many years experince working within the Education sector. I understand the importance of Early Childhood Education for young children, toddlers and infants, as they are our next generation on this beautiful world of ours. I always wanted to be a teacher, for as long as I can remember.

I completed my Diploma of Teaching (ECE) in 2008 through Te Tari Puna o Aoteroa (New Zealand Childcare Association) and gained Full Registration in 2011.

I live in St Andrews here in Hamilton with my partner of 16 years Dean. We have four cats, Molly, Poppy, Freddie and Zena. I love animals! I have a younger sister who is a Registered Nurse at Waikato Hospital and a funny, handsome and energetic nephew who will be eight years old in June. They live in Hamilton with my brother-in-law. My parents also live in Hamilton and we spend lots of time together. Family is a huge and important part of my life. My hobbies include drawing, painting (anything arty), swimming, gardening, camping and spending time at the beach with friends and loved ones. I like to be one with nature, to explore and value what Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) has to offer us all.

I am very excited to be part of our Future Kids Preschool team here in Te Rapa. I am looking forward to meeting the children, whaanau and families that will be involved and attending Future Kids Preschool Te Rapa.

Nga mihi nui

Gemma

Jess Meade: Team Leader Water Room

Kia Ora my name is Jess, I am a fully registered and qualified teacher, I knew at a young age I wanted to be a teacher as I wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. I completed my Diploma of teaching Early Childhood Education in 2006 and continued to do my Bachelor of Applied Social science and completed this in 2007. I have been involved in ECE for 15 years and thoroughly enjoy working alongside children and being a part of their learning and development.

I live in Hamilton with my partner, I have 3 siblings two older sisters and a twin brother who I spend a lot of time with. I am a proud Aunty to nine gorgeous nieces and nephews with a niece on the way. I am excited to join the Future kids team walking alongside your children at their home away from home and making a valued contribution to their experience at Future Kids.

Georgie Simpkins: Team Leader Air Room

Hi, my name is Georgie Simpkins.

I'm a fully qualified and registered teacher and have been an ECE teacher 25 years, 9 of those were in a managing role. I'm passionate about providing quality care and education and believe in positive, respectful practice, allowing children to develop meaningful relationships and lead their own learning.

I'm originally from Great Britain but have lived here since I was 13 so I'm very proud to call New Zealand my home. My husband Barry and I have 2 teenage children, Millie and Corbin and a baby, Bonnie, who I'm lucky enough to have here with me. Family is very important to me and I love our busy schedules and the family dynamics our different aged children bring to our home.

I'm super excited to be a part of The Future Kids family embracing and supporting the vision of a green, sustainable home away from home. I look forward to creating new memories with your children in this beautiful learning environment.

Jay Pooni

My name is Jagmohan Pooni and I am originally from India. I am graduated with Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood in 2011 from the University of Waikato. I have been working with children for over 8 years. My husband Najinder and I have two daughters Jess and Priya.

I have a genuine passion for working with children and fostering their development. Key to teaching my philosophy is forming positive relationship with families, tamariki and colleagues. Through engaging in rich conversation I believe I can provide a programme whereby children can feel safe, happy and enjoy the learning experience.

I am very excited to join the Future Kids Te Rapa team and look forward to providing exceptional quality teaching and care in an energetic team environment.

Jennie Nooyen

Hi everyone my name is Jennie,

I'm a coffee connoisseur, professional brunch goer, wife to Josh and Mum to two mini- mes, 3 year old Andie and 2 year old Stella. I am a qualified early childhood teacher and have worked in the sector for 8 years.

I believe the outdoors is a great platform for learning and enjoy helping children explore their surroundings, understand new concepts and have fun along the way. I feel providing a very caring and nurturing environment is important for this age group which builds their confidence and self-esteem

When I'm not at work you'll usually find me at home with my kids, the neighbours kids, my sisters kids and a few extra on top of that. If I'm not there then hopefully I'm playing netball, water-skiing or relaxing with a good book.

I'm really excited to be part of the Future Kids team and look forward to meeting you and your family.

Sarah Hardy

Monique Harrison

Hey everyone I’m Monique.

I am really looking forward to joining the team at Future Kids. I am a fully qualified and registered teacher and have working in ECE for the past 8 years. The concept of a sustainable and eco-friendly environment is something I feel strongly about, so being part of a centre that is built on this is very exciting. I believe in creating an environment that is a good place for children to be, somewhere where they feel safe, cared for and confident to explore and learn in the environment around them, while building respectful and meaningful relationships. My 3-year-old twins Peppah and Ollie will be coming along with me each day and I am thrilled about them being part of Future Kids too. Along with our twins, my husband Adan and I have two older boys, Ashton is 9 and Elijah is 5, who definitely keep us on our toes! We are a very busy and active family who spend lots of time being outdoors, in the weekends you would find us on the rugby field, at the beach, at the park or bike riding. If by chance I manage to get a quiet moment to myself I like to spend it reading a good book. I can’t wait to get to know the children and their families at Future Kids.

Scotty Wang

Nihao, Hello and Ki Ora, my name is Scotty,

I have been working with children for almost two years. I finished my studies of early childhood education and became a qualified and registered teacher in 2017. My vision is creating a rich learning environment for children as well as involving all of their parents and whanau. Moreover, I believe that respecting all of my team mates, children and their parents’ different values and cultures is extremely important.

I have been in New Zealand for over six years and I love this country quite a lot. I am a very outgoing person who enjoys playing soccer and watching the All Blacks very much. I used to study music and linguistics at The University of Auckland for three years. Therefore, I would like to play music for anyone, especially the children at my centre.

I can imagine that it will be so cool to play music outdoor with children in an environment that has our animals, organic foods and beautiful plants and sunshine around.

I look forward to guiding your children on their their learning journey.

Shannon Morton

Hi, my name is Shannon and I am a qualified and registered teacher. I have been working in early childhood education for 4 years and am looking forward to starting at Future Kids Te Rapa.

I am originally from South Africa and have been living in New Zealand for over 13 years. I have always loved being around animals, which explains why I have lots of pets! I am a ‘bunny mummy’ to three beautiful bunnies, named Pepper, Sugar and Nibbles. I have three cats, Cameo, Tigs and Purdey as well as have a loyal pooch called Jessie who follows me everywhere!
I am excited to use my knowledge about animals to show the children how to look after and care for the animals at Future Kids Te Rapa.
I am an easy going, bubbly and creative person, who loves art and painting on canvas. I love to share my passion for art with the children around me, setting up fun and creative activities for them to explore and use their imagination.

I love the outdoors, I may look like a girly girl, but I love getting out into the country to ride my dirt bike with my family. I also love cars and anything with wheels and an engine!

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was little, which most likely stems from being around family members who are teachers as well. My mum has been a great teaching role model for me as she has been a primary school teacher for many years.
I love how children are so curious and excited to learn at this age and really enjoy being able to experience these early years with them. I am looking forward to meeting you all and being a part of the Future kids family!

Kendra McKay

Hi my name is Kendra I'm 23 years old I have 6 years experience working with children. In my spare time I like to go on adventures with my friends and their children I also love music and animals. I'm so happy to be apart of the team at future kids I can't wait to get to know you and your children and explore this awesome environment here indoors and outdoors at future kids.

Alisia (Leesha) Trebes

Hello, My name is Alisia and I am joining the Future Kids team.

I have over 5 years experience working in childcare and absolutely love being in the presence of children, watching them grow and learn, building everlasting relationships with them and their family/whanau and creating a calm and nurturing learning environment.

Myself, Partner Pete and our Son Caynin live out in the country in a small village called Pukemiro. We have 2 Dogs (Roxy and Chomper), 2 Cat's (Feebee and Max) and some goldfish. Animals have always been a big part of my life and are a big part of our little family so I am delighted that my new workplace will have pets!

I love to go off exploring the countryside, creeks and bush, collecting up small bits and pieces as we go to add to our arts and crafts collection and sharing my knowledge about nature and animals with my son.
Other things I love to do are taking photo's, being creative, pottering in the garden and hanging out with my family.

I am really excited to be a part of the Future Kids Team and look forward to getting to know all of the children, their families/whanau and the teaching team.

Aimee Cordes

Kia ora, my name is Aimee Cordes and I will be teaching in the Air room. I am looking forward to meeting your little ones and supporting them through their important early toddler days.  I am an experienced teacher and hold a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education, my Full Registration and current certification.  I have been teaching in the early childhood sector for over 14 years. During this time, I have worked with a range of different age groups from birth to 6 years and held various roles with my centres. Before coming to Future Kids my team was awarded the top rating from the Education Review Office. I believe that forming respectful relationships is the foundation to learning and development.  I look forward to developing this foundation with your children so that they will feel safe, happy and have the confidence to participate in the programme and learning experiences offered at Future Kids.

I have recently moved to Hamilton from Auckland with my family.  I grew up in Christchurch and Tom is from England. He has lived in N.Z. for almost 19 years and is working as a Project Manager here in Hamilton. We love to holiday and our daughter enjoys this too. We wish for our daughter to grow up instinctively thinking and acting sustainably, to love, care for and respect herself, others and our planet. She will also be attending Future kids as I believe this is at the heart of their philosophy.

Ko nga tawhiti whaia kia tata, ko nga tata, whakamua kia tina. 

The potential for tomorrow, depends on what we do today.