Our Staff

Abby Mattock Managing Director

Bachelor of Fashion, Degree Business Management and currently studying Post Graduate Diploma in ECE. 

Kia Ora, 

I am one of the new owners at The Village Preschool and I have taken over the role of Centre Manager. My early years I was a fashion buyer for Farmers where I was designing and importing clothing for Teeny Weeny and Little bundle. 

I found myself back in the beautiful Mount Maunganui where I grew up, ready to take on a challenge. Together with whānau we purchased The Village Preschool, 20th Jan 2025. I have started my ECE post graduate education to ensure that I am able to help provide the best opportunities for our villagers. 

Kirsten Lassale | Centre Admin Support

The Village has been my home from home since early 2020.  I LOVE everything The Village has to offer, especially its spacious nature-based environment and amazing team of teachers. 

I studied my Graduate Diploma in ECE and taught in preschool for over a year but unfortunately this dream came to an end when I sustained a neck injury.  This didn’t stop my passion for teaching so I moved into an admin role and later became The Village Centre Manager.  During this time we achieved so many of our goals including an awesome ERO report which I’m extremely proud of.  

I have now stepped back into an administrative role, supporting our lovely new manager and owners, who I’m enjoying working alongside.

I look forward to meeting you and your delightful tamariki and know that you’ll have a fantastic learning experience with us.

Owner and Teacher

Bachelor of Education in Primary teaching, Post Graduate Diploma in ECE

Kia ora! Ko Sharron tōku ingoa.

It’s great to be back on the team at The Village! This was home to us in the early 2000s. My hubby, Coll and I have two adult children and we love our river and bush walks with our dog, Ben. I come fresh with current practice and have a Bachelor of Education degree in Primary Teaching and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

The Village is an amazing preschool. We know that when children have a strong sense of belonging, they build confidence to thrive. Our aim is to enhance your child’s natural curiosity through fun and a stimulating approach that is both planned and spontaneous. Our spacious, nature rich environment and amazing teacher to child ratios, set us apart from other preschools. I love it here at The Village!

Benita Harris| Team Leader

Bachelor of Education, Post Graduate Diploma in ECE

Milla Hong

Bachelor of Arts , Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)

Kia Ora the Village whanau. I am Milla.

I was a high school teacher in Korea many years ago, and my passion for teaching led me to be an ECE teacher after having my son in New Zealand.

I am a passionate and interactive kaiako who values and shares our tamariki’s excitement.   

My philosophy goes with respect and relationship as well as inclusive practice.

I am so excited to join The Village team and look forward to meeting you all.

Aroha nui

Min Hoi

Masters of Teaching (ECE)

Kia Ora everyone! I am Min, a Chinese Malaysian who was born and raised in Malaysia. I traveled to New Zealand in 2020 with my partner and decided to study early childhood education after being amazed by the outstanding child-led curriculum – Te Wharaki.

I like to explore children’s interests and extend their learning with them. It is a pleasure for me to witness a child’s growth and learn alongside them. I have joined the Village since 2023 and am still enjoying my days in here with our tamariki.

Kelsey McLauchlan

Bachelors in Teaching (Primary), Post graduate diploma in Early Childhood

Kia Ora my name is Kelsey, I am the Team leader in Explorers. I am originally from Gisborne, I moved to the sunny Bay of Plenty when I was eight years old. I have a partner Matt and together we have three children, Lucas, Piper and Marlie. We live on a lifestyle property and have numerous animals such as chickens, cows and lambs. We are also very lucky to have an orchard that has many different types of fruit trees.

I began my Early Childhood teaching in 2015 and have mostly worked with infants and toddlers. I really enjoy being a part of children’s learning and development and find it very rewarding to see their progress and overcoming milestones. I love to observe and recognise a child’s interest and provide learning opportunities based around these interests.

I believe strongly in building quality relationships with not only your child but also you and their whānau.

I look forward to getting to know you and your whānau. Arohanui. 

Dana Ohlson

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

Kia ora my name is Dana Ohlson and I have recently joined The Village Preschool as a kaiako in the explorers room. I recently moved to Tauranga from Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula. I had lived in Whitianga my entire life which I absolutely loved. Being able to go out on the boat after work or for a few nights is what fills my cup. I love to keep busy by doing a range of activities such as netball, dance, horse riding, fishing and gyming. Moving to Tauranga has been a big change for me but I am really enjoying it so far! I started working in ECE at the end of 2021, then started working full time at the start of 2022 which is also when I started my studies. I finished my bachelors at the end of 2024. In my Whitianga centre I built some strong and lifetime relationships with both children and parents. I hope I can do the same at The Village. Relationships are my top value, not only with other kaiako and children but also parents and families too.

Victoria Falemaka

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

Kia Ora, my name is Victoria but many know me as Vicky.

I come from Niue, born in Auckland and have lived there all my life before recently moving to Tauranga in February 2023. I moved down with my partner, step son Kaleb (17) and our daughter Qria (2), who is here in the Explorers room as well.

I have worked in ECE for 10 years, I started my teaching journey at the Village in March 2023. I was with my last center for almost 7 years since opening in 2017. I enjoy learning and teaching, going on a journey with children, their families, a new team and community. It’s wonderful to see a child grow, with all the many accomplishments and memories they make in the early years.

Harpreet Kaur

Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

Kia Ora Whānau

I am a part of The Village Kaiako team within the Explorers room. My roots are connected to Punjab, a state in the north west of India. In 2007, I migrated to New Zealand as an international student and have been living in Tauranga ever since. I live with my husband and two lovely boys.

I completed my Masters and Bachelor of Education from India. In India I taught Maths and Science. My passion for working with children inspired me to pursue my studies and completed a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood from the university of Waikato.

I have been in the ECE Sector for the last 6 years and enjoy messy play. I am a good team player, flexible and always ready to learn new things.

Sam Green | Team Leader

Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)

Kia ora,

My name is Sam. I have a Bachelor of Teaching in Primary Education and have been teaching since 2015. I am passionate about working with children and helping to develop and grow young minds and supporting them to discover and follow their interests.

In October last year, my fiancé Soul and I welcomed our sweet baby boy Ryder into the world. Becoming a mum and seeing Ryder’s growth and development so far has inspired and encouraged me to begin my journey in ECE.

I believe that children learn at their own pace and in their own time, with the appropriate care, support, and guidance. I know how important the early years of a child’s life are and I am passionate about creating a warm, welcoming, safe, and nurturing environment where tamariki have the freedom to imagine, create and explore. I value warm, reciprocal relationships with tamariki and their whānau. Tamariki are constantly learning strategies for getting to know and work alongside and with each other, and kaiako and families are doing the same!

I look forward to getting to know you and your whānau.

Arohanui

Omega Eruini

Studying Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

Kia Ora whanau,

I was born and bred in Tauranga, moved to Invercargill when I was 15 years old and stayed there for 5 years. During that time, I finished college, pursued my studies, and worked for a while before crossing the ditch to Australia, where I lived for 1.6 years. While in Australia, I worked as a nanny for four children aged between 8 months and 5 years. Eventually, I became homesick and returned to Aotearoa.

I job-hopped for a while until I figured out what I wanted to do. One day, I woke up and decided I wanted to work with kaumatua. I found a job in healthcare, working in homes for the elderly and people with disabilities. I stayed with the same company for 7 years and studied simultaneously. I am now qualified in Healthcare and Wellbeing.

I then had my son, Tangaroa, who I enrolled at the Village for a couple of days a week when he was 8 months old. Five months later, I joined the Village team as a reliever. I have been part of the team since September 2023 and have been fortunate enough to work with all age groups. However, I believe my calling is with the two- to three-year-old age group, and I love spending time with all the tamariki as we learn together. Tangaroa is now 2 years and 5 months old and is in the Explorer’s group with me. While this can be challenging at times, we manage most times.

With encouragement, I have decided to study for my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE), and I am looking forward to starting in February.

I am excited to work with your tamariki and whānau.

Nga mihi, 

Angelina Robertson

Kia Ora! I’m Angelina, an unqualified teacher and mum here in Tots.

My journey with the Village started in 2023 when my husband and I decided to enrol our then 8 month old, Ivy here. 

We loved everything the centre stood for and the warm, friendly atmosphere. Shortly after Ivy’s transition to Explorers I decided to put my hand up for a reliever role and now am here permanently. 

I truely love being able to build relationships with our tamariki and care for them from such a young age. Having enrolled our daughter at 8 months I know the importance as a parent to trust others to care for our little loves and strive to build strong relationships with our families as well as the children. 

Tots is such a rewarding room to work in as so many milestones happen in children’s time here and I am so grateful to be apart of their journey.

Ferne Reid

Teacher in Training

Kia Ora, ko Ferne toku ingoa. 

I have grown up in Tauranga alongside my mum, dad, and younger brother Max and have recently moved back from Perth. My passion for teaching started from a young age. I also have a passion for horse riding and I was able to combine my two passions while volunteering at The Riding for the Disabled. 

I love supporting children’s learning and growth and I believe that children thrive in an environment where they are nurtured and supported. I studied Level 2 Early Childhood Education during Covid and enjoyed learning about Te Whāriki, how we as teachers support children’s learning journey, and how to create good relationships with children and whānau.

I am so excited for my journey here at The Village and being able to teach somewhere that aligns with my values as a teacher.