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.

Burrow Team

Hannah
Burrow Teacher

Bella
Meadow Teacher

Laura
Meadow Teacher

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

Grace H
Meadow Teacher

Fiona
Meadow Teacher

Victoria
Meadow Teacher

Quentin
Meadow Teacher

Grace G
Meadow Teacher

Tineke
Reliever

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.