About Us
Nau Mai & Welcome
Nau Mai and welcome to St Johns Montessori. We are privileged to be located within the parklands and sports grounds of Colin Maiden Park. Our mountain, Maungarei (Mt Wellington), and our river, the Tāmaki river also define our sense of place.
Our centre is a purpose-built Montessori early learning environment, catering for the development, education needs and best interests of young tamariki (children) from 0 to 6 years. We are highly committed to providing quality Montessori early childhood education and care.
Inspired by our Song:
Te Aroha (Love)
Te Whakapono (Faith)
Me te Rangimarie (Peace)
Tātou, Tātou e
Our rooms have been named:
Te Rima Aroha - for the nido (babies)
Te Rima Whakapono - for the toddlers
Te Rima Rangimarie - for the two and a half to six year olds
We believe that at St Johns we present a prepared environment where our kaiarahi (guide) offer love to all our whanau and community. They guide and support our tamariki having faith and trust in their practical ability to develop and practise the skills, dispositions and knowledge that they need. Our kaiarahi provide a peaceful space for tamariki to work comfortably and purposefully.
Meet The Team
Jamie Oh
Centre Manager
안녕하세요. This is Jamie (Yoonjeong) Oh. I am from South Korea and I have been in New Zealand about 15 years. I graduated AUT University with a Bachelor of Early childhood education in 2011, Post graduate certification with Educational leadership in 2016 and I am a fully registered teacher.
I have been working in the early childhood sector for about 13 years and experienced a variety of roles and age groups. A part from my teaching careers, I love singing, traveling, camping, exercising, walking and spending time with my husband, son and friends.
Since I moved to New Zealand, I have seen many new places and am searching for more to explore! I love hearing about children’s holidays, special places, their experiences, events and feelings too. As I am an active person, I enjoy outdoor play, art activities and dancing with music
Since I started working as a teacher, I have developed reciprocal relationships easily by engaging with children through these.
Rangimarie (Children's House)
Jeanny Nikora
Supervisor/ Rangimarie Head Teacher
Tēnā koutou katoa, Warm greetings to you all.
Ko Jeanny Nikora taku ingoa
Ko Rangitoto te maunga.
Ko Waitematā te moana
Kei Glenfeild taku kāinga
No tamaki Makaurau ahau.
My name is Jeanny Nikora, I am a Chinese New Zealander. I graduated from AUT University with a bachelor in Montessori Early childhood education. I am happily married to my husband Tataihono. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, sewing, knitting and singing choral music.
I am passionate about teaching and nurturing the growth of each individual child as we walk alongside each other as a community of learners. I believe that the Montessori philosophy provides us with the environment and tools to discover and be intrigued about the world that is around us. It is my pleasure and honour to be working with you all as we go on this educational journey together.
Ngā aroha i a tangata i a tangata (Respect and love for one another)
Hiroshi Perera
Rangimarie Teacher
Kia Ora!
My name is Hiroshi Perera. I am a Montessori Teacher and started my Montessori career in 2006, trained at the Good Shepherd Maria Montessori Training Centre (affiliated to the Association of Montessori Internationale, founded by Dr Maria Montessori) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I have studied the principles and practices of the Montessori Method for children from 3 to 6+ years of age, eventually attaining my A.M.I. Montessori diploma qualification in 2008.
I migrated to New Zealand with my husband and daughter in 2014.
I have 15 years of teaching experience in Montessori and has worked in Montessori pre-schools both in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
I am a passionate teacher who aims to develop the potential of the whole child. I have a genuine love of working with children. I aim to help cultivate this potential in our children, bringing out the very best of their creativity and independence, helping to focus on their specific needs through individualised learning, the Montessori way.
Weiwei Guan
Rangimarie Teacher
Kia Ora!
My name is Weiwei Guan. I come from China and have been living in New Zealand for over ten years. I graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2017 with Bachelor of Education degree (early childhood teaching). I have been working as a full time qualified teacher in a Montessori based centre for over two years. I am passionate about early childhood teaching by aiming to provide children with a respectful and meaningful learning environment. I am keen to support children to develop themselves in holistic way.
Vanessa Castro
Rangimarie Teacher
Kia Ora! Kamusta? I am Vanessa Castro, and I’m pleased to meet your tamaiti (child) and whanau (family).
I am a mother to a wonderful and curious girl, and happily married to my best friend. I’m previously an IT consultant and have worked in the industry for more than 12 years, before becoming a full-time wife and mom.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my season of being a full-time caregiver and learned so much about early childhood development and respectful parenting. I have taken on the hat of a “mommy teacher” (as my daughter fondly calls me), setting our home as a place of learning, observing my tamaiti’s interests, and making activities we would both enjoy and learn from. I love spending time with children (previously a kid’s teacher at church), and getting to know each one. I love the energy and happiness they bring, and I also believe in their potential and unique gifts that need to be nurtured. I am friendly, and respectful, have strong attention to detail and good in making connections and building relationships.
In my spare time, I like to go for nature walks with family and friends, and read books about topics I am interested to. I also like to experiment in the kitchen, whipping up my favourite Asian dishes.
It’s an honour to learn and work alongside your child and family.
Whakapono (Children's Community)
Eugene Garcia
Whakapono Head Teacher
Kia Ora Kou tou,
I am Eugene Garcia. I’m originally from the Philippines and migrated to NZ in 2019 with my wife. Since I was young, I have had a great passion for teaching especially in early childhood education.
I obtained a Bachelors degree in the Philippines and got my Montessori certification for early childhood with AMS American Montessori Society in New York in 2018. Before joining St. John’s Montessori, I worked at a Montessori school for a year as a lead teacher for 3-6 years old.
I’d like to finish with a quote from Maria Montessori “our work as adults do not consist in teaching, but in helping the child’s mind in its work of development.”
Kate Chen
Whakapono Teacher
My name is Kate Chen and I am a fully registered teacher. I have a passion for education and have been working in early childhood education for more than twenty years in the Auckland region.
I am married to Steve. We have lived in East Auckland for more than 30 years and have raised two wonderful children. We live with our beloved pet Ruby, who loves going for long walks. Other passions of mine are the outdoors, food, and relaxing with friends and family.
The best part of my job is the privilege to work alongside families from all walks of life. I am committed to providing the best quality care and education for your children in a Montessori environment. I look forward to meeting you!
Kalpani Dimingu Hewage
Whakapono Teacher
Kia ora, My name is Kalpani Dimingu and I am from Sri Lanka.
I am a skilled and certified Montessori and Early childhood Teacher with more than 14 years of experience. My expertise lies in using Montessori Education techniques and materials to teach young children in Montessori environment while encouraging independence and love of learning. By guiding young children to help them reach their potential at their own phase.
George Han
Whakapono Teacher
Ni hao. My name is George Han. I come from China.
I graduated from New Zealand Teachers College with a Bachelor of Early childhood education in 2022 and now I am a provisionally registered teacher.
I joined St Johns Montessori when I was studying NZTC as a student teacher, had done some relieving teacher jobs in all rooms here and now I am working with the Whakapono children.
I like to stay with the toddlers as I am passionate about them and supporting their development and growth.
In my free time, I like to do some sports, basketball is my favourite, and I also like some quiet activities, watching movies and reading can relax me mentally.
Aroha (Nido)
Monique Buckmaster
Aroha Head Teacher
Kia Ora koutou, Ko Monique toku ingoa - my name is Monique Buckmaster.
I am a qualified early childhood teacher who graduated from AUT university with a bachelor of education ECE Montessori specialisation. In later years I have also undertaken numerous professional development courses and acquired Association Montessori International (AMI) 0 -3 Assistants certificate. I also have future goals to complete an AMI 0-3 Diploma.
Montessori’s philosophical approach to learning holds a special place in my heart having attended a Montessori casa environment between the ages of three to five. I have also had three of my siblings attend Montessori helping to solidify my interest and passion for the Montessori philosophy.
I believe that early childhood education is fundamental for children. It is a time of tremendous growth where children develop their own unique personalities and establish an understanding of the world around them. I also believe that the Montessori method is such a powerful way to understand the child and connect to the child’s natural curiosity and innate desires to learn.
If I’m not at St Johns Montessori, you will find me hanging out with Boris and Bernie my two cockatiels, swimming, baking or going to the beach. I am also a bit of a traveller and enjoy exploring different countries and cities. I am excited to be a part of your child’s learning journey and look forward to getting to know you.
Marianne Vasquez
Aroha Teacher
Kia Ora and Kumusta!
My name is Marianne Vasquez. I am originally from Philippines. I migrated to NZ in 2012 with my husband.
I love children and being with them. Teaching is my passion and I enjoy being a support teacher in Early Childhood. I graduated Bachelor Of Elementary Education in Philippines and gained professional license in teaching. I had experienced teaching children in Philippines for more than five years before I migrated to NZ. I started to be a volunteer teacher in Early Childhood in April 2014 iin NZ. Since then I became a support teacher to Funkids and Superkids.
I have been working in St Johns Montessori since last year of November supporting the Infant and Toddler room. My son ReL is also joining the class. I enjoy coming to work everyday and learned new things about children and how to support on their learning development. I am currently teaching and supporting the teachers in Preschool. I am looking forward to getting to know more our children and whanau here in St. Johns Montessori.
Kia Mihi and Maraming Salamat!
Philip Lenton
Cook
Kia Ora, My name is Philip Lenton.
I was born in the UK and migrated to New Zealand. I have three children, five grandchildren, two dogs and cats and wife Mary. I graduated St Kentigern College with Bachelor of Commerce and worked in the family business until 10 years ago and retired. Then I started to work as a cook.
I love watching sports especially cricket, going to church, painting, singing, reading and spending time with grandchildren.