Meet the Team
Our dedicated teachers
Meet our Team
All of our teachers share a wealth of experience and knowledge and are qualified and registered with the teaching council of New Zealand. They ensure that your child receives the best possible learning environment. Their dedication to fostering growth, curiosity, and well-being makes the Avonside teaching team truly special.
"Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa"
Let us keep close together, not far apart.
Claire Hedgman
Centre Manager
About Me
Kia Ora, I was born on Guernsey, a small island off the French coast. I travelled to New Zealand in 1998 after meeting my husband who is a kiwi. We moved back to Christchurch, then out to the Waimak where we have built two houses and had two children, Mollie and Adam. We have animals in our family too, with a dog, Leo, and horses. I am a fully trained and qualified Early Childhood Professional, who brings a wealth of experience to the sector, working in different early childhood settings and in centre management and leadership for over 10 years. I believe that relationships form the basis for positive teaching experiences for tamariki. Building trust, respect and getting to know the real child is vital to extend their skills and knowledge and support them to become confident and competent life long learners. I strive to build partnerships with Whānau so we can work together for the best possible learning outcomes for their tamariki.
Nicola Watson Densem
Financial Manager
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Ko Nicola Densem ahau, no Ōtautahi ahau – I am Nicola Densem and I am from Christchurch.
After nine years of being a stay at home mum to my two sons and two stepsons, Luca, River, Eli and Ari, I decided to pursue teaching. I completed my Graduate Diploma in 2020 and have been at Avonside since September 2022.
I mainly work with the under twos, but I am lucky enough to spend my days mixing with all ages. In between my teaching days, you will find me tucked up at the end of the office completing my finance duties.
Respectful and reciporcal relationships are at the core of my teaching. I believe that the foundation to a high quality learning environment is strong relationships between kaiako, tamariki and whānau. I believe it is essential that a child’s language and culture is not only accepted, but celebrated in their place of learning.
Teaching tamariki social skills and helping them develop the ability to self regulate is high on my priority list as a teacher. I enjoy a calm and mana enhancing learning environment, where tamariki are respected, empowered and celebrated.
I have throughly enjoyed learning te reo Māori, te ao Māori and tikanga Māori for the past few years and continue to expand my kete, as I dive deeper and deeper into our wonderful culture.
Working in a community-based, not-for-profit centre is hugely important to my overall teaching philosophy and I feel lucky to be working at one of the best preschools in Ōtautahi!
Mel Blair
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia Ora, I mainly work with the under twos and have been part of the Avonside team since the early 2000s. My experience and commitment allow me to take a leadership role within the team, and my personal teaching philosophy highlights the importance of relationships to ensure the well-being of tamariki and whānau. My passion for Early childhood reflects the importance of nurturing growth, curiosity and holistic development for all children. I hold a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and am a fully registered Kaiako. I strive to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where children are celebrated for who they are and what they bring to Avonside Early Childhood Centre.
Sarah McLaughlin
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia Ora, I have been teaching tamariki for nearly 30 years. I hold a Diploma of Teaching and am fully registered. I started working at Avonside in October 2007 and both my children have great memories of their time here. I am passionate about creating a nurturing environment for all tamariki which enable them to grow and learn at their own pace. I believe in supporting tamariki to develop a love of learning. As I am from Jersey in the Channel Islands I bring with me my own culture and embrace the culture of each tamariki. I am passionate about Te reo Māori, and have completed level 4 in Te reo Maori and tikanga through Te Wananga o Aotearoa which was very rewarding. I live in Burwood with my husband and 2 children.
Aaron Caldwell
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia ora, I have been a kaiako at Avonside Early Childhood Centre since July 2020. I graduated in 2019 from the University of Canterbury with a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I am originally from Florida in the United States. I moved to New Zealand in May 2018 and before that I taught English for five years at kindergartens and elementary schools in South Korea. My wife Elsa is from the West Coast of New Zealand and she is also a preschool teacher in Christchurch. As a kaiako it is important to me that all tamariki have the chance to develop the skills that they will need later on in life. At AECC we support children with things like negotiating tough emotions, learning to look after others, and expressing themselves. This is an amazing preschool with an amazing team!
Marianne Gardener
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia Ora, I am one of the newest editions to the Avonside team, joining the crew in 2023. I am married with a daughter, Sylvie, who attends Avonside and another daughter due to join us soon! I hold a Master of Education and Graduate and post Graduate qualifications in Early Childhood which makes me very qualified and knowledgeable in ensuring all children thrive in an exciting, inviting and stimulating environment. I enjoy researching and putting into practice strategies for social competence and gaining an understanding that all children bring different strengths to our centre. I have a passion for setting up the environment for learning based on the children’s needs and provide exciting experiences for all our tamariki here. I love working in partnership with our families to provide the best opportunities for growth and development.
Rachel Lukes
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia ora Koutou,
I have been teaching part-time at Avonside Early Childhood Centre for just over 3 years now. Previously I have mostly worked in kindergartens in the Canterbury area.
I believe in authentic relationships with both whānau and tamariki. This underpins everything I do. I have a passion for music and love to share this interest with tamariki. I love to spend time out-side with children, encouraging active play for physical and mental health. Sharing literacy experiences/stories/story-telling is important to me in an increasingly technological world. I enjoy keeping up to date with current research and then applying this in my teaching.
I grew up on a farm and have always had an affinity with the out-doors. My interests outside of teaching are walking/running my dog on the hills and mountain-biking. I love animals and am a strong advocate for their needs. I love going to concerts and learning about new music and bands.
I love to spend unhurried time with my husband Marty and our 15 year old daughter. We regularly host high school students from around the world, but mostly Japan and enjoy showing them our beautiful country.
Katie Riordan
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia Ora,
I have been working in the field of education in a variety of iterations since nanny school in 1994. In the intervening years, I have been a preschool teacher, tertiary tutor, author, parent educator, breastfeeding counsellor, primary teacher, centre manager and more! Along the way, raising three fabulous kids – Olive who works in theatre in Wellington, Zoë who is a hairdresser, and Leo who works in IT and is also a karate sensei. I live locally now with my husband Ross and my two dogs and one cat. I hold a Diploma of Teaching and Bachelor of Education, as well as Montessori qualifications. Maria Montessori said “Follow the child” and this is the core of my teaching practice; that children are their own best guide as to what they are ready for next. Underpinning my approach is a strong belief in Wellbeing and Belonging being our first priorities for learners, these are also key aspects of Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s ECE curriculum.
Katianne Ferreira Johnsen
Early Childhood Professional
About Me
Kia Ora, I’m Kat.
I am originally from Brazil, I lived in London for nine and a half years and I moved to Christchurch which is my husband’s hometown in December 2012.
We were blessed with two daughters, Sophia and Isabella and also with a pet dog called Rio.
I recently joined the wonderful Avonside Early Childhood Centre team as a reliever and now have a permanent teaching position here. I have experience in working with children and am gaining further experience during my time here.
I am very grateful to all Kaiako, tamariki and whānau that have been very supportive and welcoming since my first day.
I believe making connections with a child is the most important thing, this is the key to children having a sense of belonging. In turn, is the foundation of childhood education and development.
Teaching is my passion.