Meet the team

Florida Peries

CO-FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL

NZ Dip. Teaching (ECE) | Montessori Dip. 3-6yrs | Fully Registered

Our vision for Shine is to embody the values and benefits of the Montessori principles within our own unique community. Child initiated play and Christian values carefully woven together within the framework of the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whariki.
Children learn by doing.

Melanie Wester

CO-FOUNDER, BUSINESS MANAGER & ADMINISTRATION

We provide a unique learning environment that promotes a holistic education. Our goals for children include self esteem, self confidence, self discipline, independence and a love of learning.

Zelda Botes

ADMINISTRATOR

"A child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”
~ Pablo Casals.

We aim to run the administrative side of our centres excellently and in doing so, contribute to the development of every child.

Harkirat Kaur

TEAM LEADER

Bachelor of Education (ECE) (Recognised by NZQA)
Graduate in Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Post-Grad. In Education (Leadership and Management)
Montessori Diploma (3 to 6 years)
Fully registered

I adore working with children to develop their confidence in all areas and always try to create a loving, supportive and safe environment for them to thrive in.

Louise Smith

Bachelor of Education (ECE)
(Recognised by NZQA)
Fully registered

I am passionate about working together with the local community, families, children and other educators to create a wonderful, holistic learning environment for young minds to thrive in. I especially love to learn all about each family's culture and believe that there is so much to learn from a richly diverse society in our centre.

Mary Hailes

Diploma in Early Childhood Education
(Recognised by NZQA)
Fully registered

I have a passion for supporting holistic learning for children, where growth and development opportunities are supported in all aspects of play. I have a passion for outside, gardening and my whānau and friends.

Virginia Barnden

TEAM LEADER

Bachelor of Education (ECE)
Montessori Diploma (3 to 6 years)
Fully Registered

I enjoy our unique blended programme of supporting children's independence, self help skills, literacy and numeracy through the Montessori method, and supporting children's interests during play based experiences.

Jennifer

BA of Teaching (ECE)
Provisionally registered

The best part of my day is seeing the Tamariki explore and discover different aspects of their environment.

Dilhari Amarasinghe

Grad.Dip of Education (ECE)
Montessori Diploma (3 to 6 years)
Fully Registered