TUHURA - PRESCHOOLERS

‘Tuhura’ means to explore, and in our room, every child is seen as a capable, curious learner. We foster learning through play in a rich environment that acts as the third teacher, sparking ideas and new skills. Our diverse teaching team brings unique strengths to our curriculum, building strong, respectful relationships with tamariki and whānau. We celebrate cultural diversity and family involvement, and focus on school readiness by nurturing independence, social competence, and self-care to support a confident transition to school.

Two young boys playing with toy fishing rods at a table covered with a blue surface simulating water, indoors.
Adult and young girl making arts and crafts with scissors and paper at a table in a classroom.
ENROL NOW
Three children playing with slime outdoors under a shaded area.

Jess Smith

Jess is the Head Teacher in Tuhura.
"I am passionate about teaching to support children to succeed and grow to their own potential and interests. I enjoy building strong relationships with the tamariki and their whanau and believe these relationships to be valuable and important."

A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a red shirt and a black vest, sitting at a railing outdoors with sunlight.

Leandri Van Der Westhuizen

Leandri is the 2IC in Tuhura.
"I believe in building strong loving and caring relationships with children. I enjoy encouraging children to use different ways of thinking to help expand their own ideas. My goal is to inspire and motivate them to do the best of their abilities."

A woman with dark hair wearing a navy blue sweatshirt with a small logo on the chest stands outdoors, leaning on a black railing and smiling at the camera. The background includes a pale sky and part of a building.

Simoné Van Niekerk

"I am passionate about working with tamariki as this is their first step into their learning journey, being able to make connections with them and their whānau to help support them and ensure they reach their potential during their time here before they venture off to school"   

A woman with dark hair wearing a navy blue sweatshirt with a small logo on the chest stands outdoors, leaning on a black railing and smiling at the camera. The background includes a pale sky and part of a building.

Rebecca Steer

"I enjoy promoting strong social ethics that empower tamariki to play in harmony together. It is rewarding to build joy and wonder through modeling and discovery. "

A DAY IN THE LIFE

A daily schedule timeline with times and activities, including welcome at 8:00 AM, two morning mat times at 9:40 and 9:50 AM, lunch at 11:45 AM, afternoon mat time at 2:20 PM, and transition to Te Ruma Ako at 3:30 PM, with self-directed play spanning the day.
A backyard playground with shade sails, a slide, and various outdoor play equipment, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence.

THE FIRST STEP OF AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

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THE FIRST STEP OF AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY *

  • KAI

    Children are supported to eat from their own lunchboxes and encouraged to begin with a healthy choice first along with some friendly reminders and guidance to save food for the remainder of the day. Meals and food that are required to be heated for children are welcome.

  • SELF DIRECTED PLAY

    Children select from music, stories, puzzles, dress up, physical activities both inside and outside, sensory exploration, and construction activities. Tabletop activities are set up according to children's interests, especially at the end of the day, to support them winding down before going home.

  • MAT TIME

    Teachers plan mat times to incorporate Bible stories as part of the term planning. At the beginning of mat time, we sing a welcome song or action song. Teachers engage the children in games, board stories, and storybooks. Each mat time is concluded by a prayer giving thanks to the Lord.