Our People — Freemans Bay

Stephanie Hale

Centre Manager/Teacher
I have been apart of the Oma Rāpeti whanau since June 2017. I have a Teaching Diploma in Early Childhood from Auckland College of education and a Bachelor of Education from Auckland University. I have had the privilege of working alongside children and their families since 1996. I believe that all children should be treated as individuals, with respect being at the very core of my philosophy when working alongside children. Allowing the child to grow at their own pace, and with their own interests is of the greatest importance.

Anna Hurst

Lead Teacher - Burrow
Anna joined the Oma Rapeti team in March 2020. She has always had an interest in and curiosity for learning, so teaching seemed like the perfect fit. She graduated from The University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Education (ECE) in 2015 and it was during her studies that Anna was introduced to the RIE philosophy. After spending four years teaching and exploring the mountains and snow in Queenstown, Anna has finally returned home to Auckland and is excited to work along such a passionate team in the Burrow.

Monique
Burrow Teacher

Hannah
Burrow Teacher

Tineke
Centre Reliever

Shirley McQueen

Lead Teacher - Meadow
Kia Ora, I have been at Oma Rāpeti since the end of 2011 and have been a senior teacher in the meadow since 2015. I have enjoyed the challenge of working towards our vision for Oma Rāpeti. RIE and Pikler were fairly new concepts to me when I started here and it has been an ongoing and rewarding learning journey. I am originally from sunny Dunedin and have been here in Auckland since 2012. I have learnt so much over the last few years and my personal philosophy has changed considerably during this time. I have come to realise that you don't need a complicated philosophy and that for me, when you break it all down, my philosophy is to treat others with kindness and respect. Everything else falls into place on its own.

Vivian
Meadow Teacher

Laura
Meadow Teacher

Grace H
Meadow Teacher

Bella
Meadow Teacher

Victoria
Meadow Teacher

Quentin
Meadow Teacher

Grace G
Meadow Teacher

Fiona
Meadow Teacher

Brenda Whyte

Kitchen Manager
Brenda has been at Oma Rāpeti since 2013 and you will find her either cooking our delicious meals in the kitchen or spending time in the Meadow with the children and team. She has a background in working with children in many different areas and enjoys watching children be the beautiful beings they are. Her passion is her family and she enjoys celebrating the spirit of whānau when at Oma Rāpeti.