Meet the Staff

Meet Mrs Melanie Whitham – Head Teacher

I am a qualified teacher,  and I studied at Auckland University. I have been teaching full time since 2012. I have a strong passion for children and their learning.

In my spare time I enjoy getting creative with craft and knitting is one of my favourite hobbies. My husband and I now have two wonderful children who bring us great joy to our lives.

I enjoy many crafts, hand spinning, farm life and diy projects are always fun to get into.

The four of us enjoy going to Motorsport events where my husband is part of the media photographers.

Meet Mrs Barbara McEldowney – Teacher

I come from Bozeman Montana in the USA – but I am a kiwi as of July 2018! I am married to Rob for 38 years and counting! 

I currently live in Drury, South Auckland. I have two adult children – Charisa, 33, married to son-in-law, Dan – and Cameron, 30, and another lovely ‘daughter’, Gwen, who is Maylasian born. I spend my free time making cards and I have 3 lovely grand-cats – Meggy, SirEd, and Tenzing. I love to help others, to serve – I love to be a source of blessing! I have a way with kids and love to learn with them. I love to discover.
I have worked here at our Preschool with the most fantastic children in South Auckland for nearly 26 years now – and I plan to keep on doing so.

I love my Saviour, Jesus, with my heart and soul. 

I look forward to seeing you at Preschool!

Meet Miss Rachel Griffiths – Teacher

Hi my name is Rachel. Since finishing high school I have spent my time working with children under the age of 5. Though out the years I have worked in different centres, I have had the privilege of learning different ways of teaching and how each of these ways of teaching can be good for different children within a centre.

I have recently graduated with a Bachelors of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and am look forward to putting everything I have learnt in to practice with all the children at the centre.

Outside of the centre I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, doing puzzles, doing different crafts and watching TV and movies.

I enjoy getting to know each of the children and their families.

Meet Mrs Susan Brown – Teacher

I am married to Todd and we have three wonderful children. Before having children, I completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Japanese and minoring in Education. I then worked in the tourism industry for eight years. After that I decided to stay at home with my preschoolers for nine years. It is from my experience as a mum and loving these preschool years that I decided to retrain as an early childhood educator. I have a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

All of my children attended First Presbyterian Church Preschool and I was on the preschool committee and then became the Chairperson for a year from 2011-2012.  This Preschool holds a special place in my heart and I value all that it represents.

Outside of work and school I enjoy hanging out with my family, playing card games, riding my bike, reading, and going to church.

I am really looking forward to getting to know both you and your children.

Meet Miss Jahdia Harvey – Administration Manager

I have lived in Papakura my whole life. I am a mum; I have a son, Kingston. He also attended this Preschool when he was younger.

I love to support him in his sports, it brings me so much joy. My own hobbies are going for walks through nature, going to gym classes and colouring in!

I have worked in admin for a small company for 3 years and for the past two years as a nanny and have absolutely loved it. Before that I had been a hairdresser for 13 years. I can’t wait to get to know you and your children.