Our Staff

Our dedicated team create a caring and nurturing environment for your children and ensure that they are able to grow and develop at their own pace. let's meet them!

Stacey is a qualified and registered early childhood teacher. As the owner, teacher and managing director of High Five, Stacey is committed to providing the best possible care and education for children. Stacey nurtures a family culture within High Five, making it a great place to be a part of, for the children, families and teachers. Stacey's three daughters have grown up within the High Five family.

Chantal is our Centre Manager starting in 2018, and also is a qualified and registered kaiako. She has a passion for nurturing children's emotional development from a young age, and is currently studying her Master's. Chantal is responsible for the day to day administration of the centre, leading the curriculum and mentoring kaiako. When not in the office, you may see her working with teachers and building relationships with tamariki. Chantal's two sons are a part of the High Five whānau, too.

Cathy is a qualified and registered early childhood teacher. She joined the team in February 2022. Cathy is dedicated and passionate about infants and toddlers, nurturing their emotional and social development and a strong advocate for them. She is currently the team leader in the Junior School. She has a lovely warmth and care to her practice with young children, and can often be seem setting up engaging environments, telling stories with children, and engaging them in waiata (song).

Nicole is our onsite trained chef (since 2017). Nicole loves exploring new recipe ideas to add to the nutritious meals cooked fresh daily at High Five. Currently she is working on a reprint of our popular High Five cook book, cooking initiatives for the children, and creating an outdoor veggie garden for our tamariki to be a part of. Nicole's son is also a part of our High Five whānau so she is definitely kept on her toes throughout the day!

Tepa- Kaiako

Tepa is one of our wonderful Junior School kaiako and brings a relaxed and quiet warmth to the atmosphere. She has many years of experience with our younger children, but don't be fooled by the quiet personality! Tepa has a wicked sense of humor and an infectious giggle. She has a lot of fun with our tamariki and they all warm to her instantly. Tepa started with High Five in 2005 and shares the advocacy for Pasifika ways in our service with her twin sister Luli.

Mic

Finn has worked at High Five since 2018 and is nearly finished a Bachelors of Art in Education, cultural anthropology and Maori studies.

Finn is a passionate advocate for supporting neuro diversity. Their strength in te reo and tikanga Maori is evident in their practice. Finn enjoys all age groups and is currently working in our Senior School.

Cass is a qualified and registered early childhood teacher. She works with our infants in our Rūma Pēpi. She has many years experience working with all age groups, since starting in 2004. Cass brings many strengths to our centre, in particular her passion for te reo and the importance of upholding tikanga Maori. Her two daughters are also part of the High Five family, with her oldest recently joining our team! Cass shares her time as a kaiako between High Five (mornings) and a local Kindergarten.

Pepa- Kaiako

Pepa is a qualified and registered early childhood teacher. She has worked at High Five since 2002 and is one of our wonderful Whānau Āwhina/Junior school teachers. Pepa has extensive experience with a range of age groups and she is passionate about offering 'freedom to explore'. Pepa is often seen outside with the tamariki remodeling kaitiakitanga/guardianship of our large outdoor garden and our animals with children.

Caroline is a qualified and registered Kaiako starting at High Five in 2022. Caroline has worked with all ages and has settled in our Junior school.

Caroline has amazing connection with 'people' and has easily established genuine relationships with whānau. She has a bubbly personality and enriches our environment daily with her passion for Pasifika languages.

Rina has been working at High Five since 2005. She is a kaiako in our Rūma Pēpi, our infant room. She has worked with all age groups in the past. Rina offers a calm, gentle approach and is very attentive to the emotional needs of our tamariki. Rina does a lot of work engaging staff in our internal reviews to improve our practice with a focus on support systems and communication for whānau. Rina is very caring and dedicated to offering primary care/kaitiakitanga for younger children

Luli- Kaiako

Luli started with our High Five whanau in 2007. She is comfortable working with all age groups and is currently in our senior school. Luli is passionate about engaging children with art and music - you should see our 2-year-olds doing the Sasa! Luli also offers a deep respect for our natural environment and models that by nurturing Pasifika and Maori values daily with our tamaiti.

Jacky joined the team in 2023 as a qualified and registered Kaiako. She is our Senior school team leader. Jacky has amazing energy and passion for the older children supporting their learning and development by encouraging exploration and risk taking. Jacky is a team play and lifts everyone by role modeling positive interactions.

Charlene joined our High Five whānau in 2022. She is a qualified and registered teacher and is passionate about art and creative environments. She is our superstar at creating daily provocation's for children to explore. Charlene has set up models for tamariki to navigate problems and support social and emotional learning. She is a calming influence in the Senior school providing consistency and predictability.

Noelle is the newest member of our team starting in February 2024. She works in our Rūma Pēpi. Noelle has a natural connection to young children and their needs. She is a strong advocate an unhurried learning environment. She is calm and patient offering a gentle approach to those in her care.

Nadene is a qualified and Registered teacher joining the team in January 2023 with her young son. She has a bubbly personality and is 100% dedicated to family and wider connections. She will advocate for the overall wellbeing of children in her care. Nothing seems to phase her. Nadene enjoys art and injects humor into her working day. you will hear her giggling within the room!

Jenna is the team leader in our Infant room. She is passionate about the importance of attachment. She is a qualified and registered Kaiako and has been with us since 2020. the youngest of her 3 children currently attend High Five. She is charismatic person with endless energy. She values communication and you will hear her narrating everything she does so everyone is fully engaged in and with processes and experiences.