Farewell to Louise Albert
Louise Albert will be finishing as Education Lead at the end of the year. Louise has held this role for 2.5 years and has done a fantastic job leading the education team and programme through a period of change and revitalisation. We wish Louise all the best for her next adventures, shifting to more time with tamariki and less time in an office. You may still see Louise facilitating the occasional workshop or special event as part of the Playcentre Education team.
Welcome to Kathryn Duggan
We are pleased to welcome Kathryn Duggan as the new Education Lead. Kathryn brings a wealth of skills and experience from her life-before-children and redirection into the education sector after becoming a parent. During term 1 Kathryn will be transitioning into the role and Chrissie Sundstrum, Glenda Caradus and Kara Daly will cover some of the Education Lead functions. Continue to contact the Education team as normal and we will make sure your query makes it to the best person to answer.
Mihi from Kathryn:
Kia ora Playcentre whaanau,
I am deeply excited to be appointed the new Education Lead for Playcentre Aotearoa and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself.
Ka noho ahau i raro i te marumaru o te Maunga Pirongia-o-Te Aroaro-oo-Kahu,
i te taha o te Awa o Waikato
Ko Ngaati Paakehaa te Iwi
Noo Kirikiriroa ahau
E mihi ana ki ngaa tohu o nehe, o Waikato-Tainui e noho nei ahau
Ko Kathryn Duggan tooku Ingoa
My name is Kathryn Duggan. I am born, bred and still live in Hamilton, sitting in the shadow of Mount Pirongia at the side of the Waikato River. I acknowledge the ancestral and spiritual landmarks of the hapuu of Waikato-Tainui, whose ancestral lands I live upon.
I have two tamaahine – Amelia (12) and Isla (10). Their early childhood years were spent at Tamahere Playcentre, where I was honoured to be awarded life membership in 2018. My husband, Ian, is a freshwater ecologist at the University of Waikato. He and our girls whakapapa to Ngaai Tahu (Ngaati Kuri, Kaikooura).
After my tamariki transitioned to school I stayed on at Playcentre as a supervisor, and also spent six years as a Space facilitator. This inspired me to take my interest in the early childhood years further, and I completed the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) through Te Rito Maioha in 2021, and have spent the last two years as a kaiako at a local community kindergarten. Throughout this time, my heart has stayed firmly rooted in the spirit of Playcentre.
Playcentre also inspired my passion for governance, leading me to become the presiding member of the Silverdale Normal School Board, as well as spend time serving on the executive committee of several other charitable organisations. In my previous (before children!) life I studied biology and social geography and worked as a wetlands biodiversity ranger with the Department of Conservation.
I am starting this role in an unusual way, transitioning back into work after suffering a concussion earlier this year. I have already been surrounded by the supportive embrace of Te Whaanau Tupu Ngaatahi o Aotearoa and I greatly appreciate your understanding as I transition into this new role throughout term 1. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in 2024.
Ngaa mihi nui,
Kathryn
Time to finish what’s underway
As 2023 draws to a close, we ask that all learners do their best to finish modules started in 2023. This not only helps akongā succeed while the learning is fresh in their minds, but is also important for making sure future learners have the opportunity to participate in Playcentre Education. We receive government funding when assessments are submitted and we appreciated everyone’s commitment to completing what they’ve started.
End of year and 2024 dates
15 Dec – Tasks to be submitted to guarantee marking and processing before the end of the holidays*
23 Jan – PL6 Whakapapa – Philosophy Guides Practice (final L4 module). Contact [email protected] if you have finished/nearly finished all other modules and would like to be considered for this intake.
1 Feb – all other online iQualify module intakes (bookings close 2-5 days in advance)
*Learners can still submit assessments after 15 Dec and they will be processed when tutors and the support team are back from summer leave.
Term 1 Planning
Workshop planning for Term 1 is already underway. If your centre would like to host a face-to-face module or play workshop in Term 1, please contact [email protected] (UNI and CNI regions) or [email protected] (LNI and South Island). Include the module(s)/workshops you’d like to host, potential dates/times, and approx. numbers from your centre/nearby centres (if known).
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Playcentre Education this year. On behalf of the Education Team, we wish you an enjoyable holiday filled with friends, family and fun.
Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou
Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing