Belinda Slade
Owner
Kia ora, my name is Belinda
I am a trained early childhood teacher and primary teacher with special needs experience. I have always aspired to owning a very unique and special preschool and am thrilled that there are now three Pebbles Preschools in the Christchurch area! I moved from England to Christchurch in 2000 with my husband and two children, Sam and Daisy.
I enjoy being on the teaching floor, walking my labradoodle dogs, reading and swimming.
Kelly Black
Office Manager
Kia ora, my name is Kelly.
I am excited to be back as the office manager of Pebbles after a few years spent at other jobs.
I enjoy working with the different Pebbles teams and supporting on the floor when I can. I am the person behind the admin emails and accounts so now you can put a face to the name!
Daisy Slade
Centre Manager
Kia ora, my name is Daisy
I am the centre manager at Pebbles Montessori Preschool, Sumner. I love being on the floor with the tamariki as well as organising the office and making sure paper work is up to date! I started off gaining a Bachelor of Criminal Justice at University but quickly decided that teaching was where my passion lay and completed a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching, which led me to where I am today.
I enjoy learning and growing alongside the great team of teachers, as well as the children, and I look forward to building my relationships with our whanau here at Pebbles.
Tracie Millar
Assistant Manager
Kia ora, my name is Tracie
I have been teaching in the Early Childhood Sector for over 10 years. I am excited that I have joined the Pebbles Preschool family where I can continue my passion for teaching the younger children here at Pebbles. I have a Diploma in Teaching ECE and I am a fully registered teacher. I live withmy husband and have 3 children who are young adults. When at home I like to spend time with the family and the many pets that we have. I moved here from Invercargill 2 years ago and it has been great getting out and exploring what Christchurch has to offer.
Roseanne Taurima
Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Roseanne
I have had many interesting jobs working with children such as on a television show and as an atelierista. I have now been working within the education
sector for five years and I have recently received my qualification for a Bachelor of Teaching (early childhood education). My teaching philosophy views children as masters of their own learning and I see my role, as a teacher, as a facilitator of a vehicle for learning. In my spare time I enjoy shopping for second-hand treasures, crafting up a storm and tramping in the wilderness.
Anna Mackinnon
Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Anna
I have lived in Sumner most of my life.I have travelled through Asia,Europe and the UK extensively. In my spare time I study European history, from the 12-18 centuries. And have a great passion for all things French!!
I have worked with 0-18 for 30 years. Privately as a nanny for 20 years and as a teacher at Pebbles for 10 years.
I hold a Foundation Certificate of Teaching ECE. I have experience and interest/passion for children with learning disabilities.
Hannah Gallen
Kaiako
Kia ora, My name is Hannah
I have had the pleasure of teaching in Early Childhood Education over the passed 10 years. I gained my Diploma of Teaching ECE in 2015 while working here at Pebbles Preschool. I am especially passionate about caring for our littlest tamariki and am excited to return from maternity leave to support the team in the Pukeko Room.
I live in North New Brighton with my husband Christian and my two preschool-aged daughters.
I love surfing, drinking coffee and going on spontaneous family adventures!
Rachael Baker
Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Rachael.
I have recently completed my graduate diploma in early childhood education and am so stoked to be in the Kea room with our littlest tamariki, having been here for the last year while I studied. I am passionate about helping tamariki and whānau to have a really warm and enjoyable experience as they begin on their preschool journey. I’ve previously worked as a youth worker, with Plunket and have a degree in visual arts, all of which has fed my passion for the early years.
My husband, 2 year old son and I live by the (other!) beach in New Brighton. When I’m not at Pebbles I enjoy being by the ocean, running, spending lots of time with whānau and friends and I’m slightly obsessed with musicals!
Tamzin French
Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Tamzin.
I started working at Pebbles Sumner as a reliever at the end of 2020. I am excited now to be a part time Kaiako in the community I live in. I discovered my passion for early childhood education when raising my own three children. I am an advocate for Montessori education at all age levels, with my children currently attending a Montessori primary school.
I have a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning in secondary education and an Honours Degree in Management Science.
I love to go on bush walks and overnight hikes with my husband Paul and family. I enjoy comedy, gardening, and all things family.
Katherine Robb
Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Katherine
I have been teaching in Early Childhood Centres for over twenty years. I have a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education. I have loved teaching at Pebbles since it opened in 2010 and have especially enjoyed watching the children develop over the years and seeing their siblings coming along - this is very special. I live in Sumner with my husband and have three daughters Annie, Molly and Katie. In my spare time I enjoy walking, gardening, reading and Pilates.
Tui Price
Kaiako
Kia Ora my name is Tui.
I've recently moved back to Christchurch with my husband and two beautiful children from Sydney. Where I studied my Diploma of early childhood (level 5) and worked in early childhood education and care for the past 10 years. I am very excited to be back in Aotearoa and working at Pebbles Sumner. I believe in the importance of supporting children's love of learning, building meaningful relationships, respecting their knowledge and voice to learn alongside them as they investigate and form ideas about the world around them.
In my spare time I enjoy exploring Christchurch with my family and working on the house and garden.
Alex Collins
Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Alex.
I have had the pleasure of joining the Pebbles whānau this year, and will be here until we welcome our second pēpi into the world in May. I am a qualified primary school teacher and am enjoying learning alongside the wonderful tamariki and kaiako here. As an educator, I love guiding and observing each individual child as they explore and marvel at the wonders of the world around them.
I am blessed to live here in Sumner, and like to spend my time exploring our local community and environment with my husband Andy, daughter Olive, and dog Max. We love to go for walks, surf, play at the beach and spend time with friends and family at every opportunity.
