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cultures of our team
GCK TEAM
Karen Millar
Head Teacher
B. Ed (ECE) AssocDip Social Studies
Karen joined GCK late in 2019 after many years teaching at a kindergarten in Remuera. As a fully qualified ECE teacher with both a Diploma in Child Studies and a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood,) Karen brings over 20 years of experience, passion and a will to make a difference which will stand GCK in good stead in the future. Karen currently works 4 days a week at GCK Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Karen took on the head teacher role in September 2021.
Andrea Mason
Teacher
B. Ed (ECE)
Andrea joined GCK in 2020. She worked at Kohimarama Montessori Preschool for a year before having her first child. She then took a break from teaching to be a stay-at-home mum to her 3 daughters. Latterly she taught at Ponsonby Montessori Kindergarten and the Carol White Family Centre at Selwyn College. Andrea loves working with the wonderful teachers, support staff, children, families and community. She works 5 days a week at GCK.
Melinda McMillan
Teacher
B.A. Edu (K-7), Bach Edu (K-7),
Dip of Educ. (ECE)
Melinda originally trained in Australia and worked in kindergartens in Australia, England and New Zealand before having her three children Elijah, Dashiell and Xavier. She has worked at GCK since 2014.
Melinda currently works 4 days a week at GCK, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and enjoys working alongside both the staff and children in such a caring, fun and stimulating environment.
Sarah Hattingh
Teacher May 2024
Higher diploma in Education Primary
I was born and lived in South Africa for most of my life. I immigrated to New Zealand at the beginning of 2019 with my family - my husband and 2 (now teenage) boys. I have always known even from a young age that teaching young children is my passion and my pathway. I have worked in early childhood for 20 years, in Durban South Africa and then in Auckland in a kindergarten in Ellerslie for 5 years. Now it is time to begin my journey at GCK. I love to work in relationship with children, their families and my colleagues in order to create a solid, heart-filled foundation for children.
Christine McHugh
Teacher
B.Ed, Diploma of Teaching (ECE)
Christine joined GCK in October 2022. She has a Bachelor of Education from Auckland University and a Diploma of ECE. She has been working in ECE in New Zealand, Australia and the UK since the year 2000. Christine has one boy who attends a local primary school.
Christine works 4 days a week at GCK as a part time teacher. She has a passion for the outdoors, sports and arts and crafts.
Adi Taka
Teacher Assistant April 2024
I am Adi and I am so excited and mostly blessed to be a part of Glendowie Christian Kindergarten. I am originally from Fiji an we have 3 beautiful children. I have more than 10 years' experience working with young children both here in New Zealand and Fiji. My passion is to witness milestones being achieved by each child and seeing them develop in their own time. I look forward to all the wonderful moments I will have with the children at GCK and the families and teachers as well.
Ana Butterworth
Office Administrator
Ana attends Glendowie Presbyterian Church with her family and helps out with things creative – from baking to face painting! Raised in Australia, she worked for 15 years as a radiographer before becoming a stay at home mum to her two young children - who both loved their time at GCK.
Ana will be in the office on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
