Our People

Tēnā koutou

My name is Shelagh Powell and I trained as both a Montessori and early childhood teacher in NZ. I have worked at the Courtyard since the early 1990s in both a teacher and senior teacher role before I became the Principal of the Courtyard Montessori Preschool in 2005; the preschool really is home away from home.

I am committed to the Montessori philosophy and the Courtyard and believe that we nurture tamariki to become independent thinkers, as they come to create a lifelong love of learning.

Má te whiritahi ka whakatutuki ai ngá pùmanawa á tángata

Together weaving the realization of potential.

Kia ora, I am passionate about creating an environment where children can reach towards their potential in ways that care for themselves, others and Papatūānuku, our earth. “Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the earth.” – Dr Maria Montessori.

My qualifications include a Batchelor of Arts and a postgraduate diploma in early childhood education coupled with a Montessori Diploma.

My name is Natalie Collins.  I trained as a Montessori teacher in London and since then I have worked in a variety of preschools, both in the United Kingdom and Christchurch.  My own children attended Montessori preschool and Primary school.

I am committed to the aspirations of the Courtyard Montessori Preschool that through exploration and self‑discovery each child can have the opportunity to be a capable individual who can become a lifelong learner.

Kia ora, my name is Jemma Collins, and I am part of the wonderful team here at the Courtyard. I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the end of 2021 and worked at Courtyard while completing this. I strive to create a caring and supportive environment where tamariki feel comfortable to learn and grow. I hope to inspire curiosity and a love of learning in our beautiful Montessori environment.

I have been learning so much from the incredible kaiako at Courtyard and I’m looking forward to continuing my teaching journey alongside them.

Kia ora, I am Megan.

I have been a kaiako since completing my Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) in 2015.  Before starting at the Courtyard, I was a Nursery kaiako, this helped to build an understanding and passion of the importance that reciprocal relationships hold in early childhood.  That tamariki need to be seen and respected as the individuals they are, to foster their curiosity and unique ways of seeing the world.

I started at the Couryard Montessori in Koru at the beginning of 2022 and look forward to starting my Montessori training in July.

Kia Ora

I am Shirley Skinner I assist in the Koru class. My first introduction to Courtyard Montessori was in 2010 when my eldest daughter attended. My 2 younger children followed her and all 3 loved this rich learning environment and the friendships that were made. After moving to South Africa for a few years we are back in Christchurch and I have loved joining the Courtyard team part time. I have a Montessori diploma I did in South Africa after completing high school and a NVQ 3 which I completed in the UK while living there. I hope to study further. I love traveling with my kiwi husband, learning more about others and teaching love and understanding to my children. Nelson Mandela is someone I admire and I adhere to his quote;  ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’

I have worked in administration and secretarial roles throughout my career, both here in NZ and in London for many years.  My association with the Courtyard Montessori Preschool began in 2005 when my daughter attended the preschool and I was fortunate to begin working part-time in the office the following year.