Owner Managers
Merren Goodison
Diploma of Teaching ECE
I began my teaching career back in the late 70's, huge changes have taken place in ECE since then and I am very happy to still be involved and still be excited by the learning that takes place in the years from 0 to 5. I opened Raglan Childcare and Education Centre in 1997. Angela and I worked together there, endeavouring to meet the needs of the Raglan community and provide a beautiful and stimulating environment for the children. We opened Matapihi Kindergarten in May 2009. For a long time I dreamed of a country centre where we would be surrounded by New Zealand's beauty, and the natural environment would have a large influence on our programme – Matapihi is that dream, a labour of love.
Outside of the centre I enjoy sculpting with clay, so sharing clay and other art processes gives me great joy in my day to day work with children. I also love to be in the outdoors, gardening, caring for animals, and enjoying the small wonders that surround us.
Angela Kimber
Bachelor of Teaching ECE Honours
I began my teaching career in 1997, when Merren opened Raglan Childcare Centre and told me I was going to work with her there! I discovered I really enjoyed working with young children and developed a strong interest in how they learn, so then worked on obtaining my Bachelor of Teaching degree. Some years later Merren and I began a search for country property to open our dream centre and we found it here at Matapihi.
I love books and reading and enjoy sharing this passion with the children on a daily basis.
I have three adult children, two of them are Early Childhood Teachers and the other is a London based musician. I am also the very proud Grandmother of five beautiful granddaughters.
In my spare time I love to read, garden and spend time with my family.
Teachers
Lindy Moir
Bachelor of Teaching ECE
Kia ora,
I am a proud Australian with Aboriginal Ancestry (Ko Nhungar toku iwi) . I am married to Peter and have 3 beautiful grown up children. I have been teaching in Early Childhood since 1978, both in Australia and New Zealand, in various contexts including: Kindergartens, Occasional Day Care, Child Care Centres and a Ski School Kindergarten in the snow! I have been working at Matapihi Kindergarten since April 2012. The native bush and natural environment are where we are a wonderful and inspiring community of learners! Music, communication, and the arts are my loves. I value daily and weekly rituals because they mean connection, and a sense of belonging. The eternal ‘child’ in me seeks fun in everything! My practice doesn't get more authentic than when there is laughter amongst our tamariki. I dream big, trust in everything, hope for the best and LOVE, LOVE working with children.Sioux Swan
Bachelor of Teaching
I have been teaching early childhood education for over 20 years, and have 4 children myself. When I am not at Matapihi, I spend my days at Ruapuke, on our farm, at the beach, or on the sidelines of the rugby field. I am passionate about spending time with children in nature, and enjoy the whole days spent in the ngahere exploring, encouraging and supporting tamariki to see, feel and marvel at the beauty that surrounds them. From the forest floor to high above the canopy, we are always amazed and forever grateful for the environment we get to hang out in. We are fully committed to taking care of our environment for future generations, we take our role as Kaitiaki very seriously, and time spent trapping for predators helps us to remain true to our commitment.
He pai te tirohanga ki ngā mahara mō ngā rā pahemo engari ka puta te māramatanga I runga I te titiro whakamua. It is fine to have recollections of the past, but wisdom comes from being able to prepare opportunities for the future. (Te Whaariki)Athene Jensen-Larsen
Diploma of Teaching ECE
I came to Raglan in 1998 and after only intending to stay for two weeks found my home.I now live on half an acre of land with my son Iggy, a menagerie of chickens, ducks, a cat and an abundance of fruit and nut trees. I love gardening and exploring a range of art (and craft) medium.
I enjoy working in ECE and feel strongly about the importance of early education. Therefore I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work at Matapihi with caring, talented, qualified teachers and in such a quality nature based environment. I began my teaching career in the early 90s, qualifying with a Diploma of Teaching ECE from Waikato Teachers College. I have since completed a Bachelor of Liberal Studies with honours and a Master of Arts in Theatre Studies. I have taught in a range of education settings over the years; in childcare (including Raglan Childcare and Education Centre); kindergarten; as a teacher’s aide in ECE; as a storyteller (telling to children and delivering workshops to teachers); and before here lecturing on a Bachelor of Teaching ECE degree.Alice Kimber-Bell
Bachelor of Teaching ECE
I was born and raised here in Raglan, so this community is incredibly special to me, although it has changed drastically since my childhood, it still definitely has a magical feeling. I began teaching at Matapihi back in May 2009 when we first opened, after finishing high school in Hamilton the previous year and spent my time as a student studying in Hamilton as well as working here three days a week. After completing my Bachelor of Teaching in 2012 I left Matapihi to explore the Early Childhood world further and spread my wings, eventually I ended up working in a variety of different fields (Legal Assistant, Office Manager, Waitress, Bartender, just to name a few of my previous jobs) before returning to teaching in 2018, where I was working with infants in Hamilton. Serendipitously, a teaching role came up at Matapihi in 2020 and I have been here since. I am passionate about music, nature, storytelling, and appreciating the wonder that we can see in everything around us. Working with children in such a picturesque setting and being able to spend my days in nature alongside them, and the other incredible teachers here, is truly the best job in the world. I currently live on a rural property on the other side of Hamilton, so drive over each day to come here, which is well worth it! In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, organising, and occasionally doing community theatre productions.
Justine Davies
Diploma of Teaching ECE
Kia ora koutou, Ko Justine Davies toku ingoa.
I was raised in Hamilton but spent most weekends of my childhood fishing in the Raglan harbour. I moved to Raglan permanently after my daughter Sarah was born. I love the slower pace of life and being close to the ocean, I couldn’t live without it. I started my teaching career working at Raglan childcare in 2001. After fifteen years there, I went off travelling to Australia and Timor-Leste to mentor early childhood teachers. In 2019 I returned to Raglan to teach with my old team at Matapihi.
The thing I love about the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whariki, is that it allows me to respond to the individual needs of each child and their family. Spending time in the ngahere (bush) at Matapihi has inspired me to look deeper into the area of personal Wellbeing and the lifelong benefits it brings to childrens and adults lives.
When I am not having a wonderful time singing, dancing and bush walking at Matapihi I enjoy gardening, hanging out at the beach and hand building with clay. I am ecstatic to be spending time at Matapihi with this beautiful passionate teaching team.