Community Champions Celebrated

Every year, Kidsfirst celebrates a number of individuals who have made significant contributions to our kindergartens. These Community Champions receive their award at Kidsfirst’s Annual General Meeting, and it is always an honour to recognise them.

Kidsfirst Community Champion

Diane Dalley – Kidsfirst Sumner Volunteer

Caption: Kidsfirst Sumner's team with Kidsfirst Community Champion Diane Dalley.

Diane Dalley was nominated by the Kidsfirst Sumner team for her volunteer work at the kindergarten, which she continues even after her own grandchildren have grown up and moved on.

Teacher, Nicola Gardiner, says Diane is always eager to provide support.

“She regularly helps out with school visits, walking trips, welcoming new families, sewing up damaged toys, doing laundry, and much more. It is a great source of support and encouragement for the team.”

“She comes in frequently to help us, despite living a thirty minute drive away. The teaching team had to remind her to look after herself, because she gives so much time to our special place.”

“She often randomly pops in when we need her the most. She fills the holes that other whānau are too stretched to fill at times, and looks at ways to enhance the kindergarten. She has great communication skills and always shares her ideas, while still respecting the hard work of the kaiako.”

Diane formed such a special bond with the Kidsfirst Sumner whānau that she was considered to be the kindergarten’s ‘adopted grandparent’.

“Diane is our kaitiaki (guardian), she continues to show manaakitanga (kindness) and support for our kaiako and community. She is the go-to person for the teaching team, and has built such strong relationships with the children – which is especially great for the tamariki and whānau who don’t have their own grandparents close.”

Diane’s husband is also a valued member of their kindergarten whānau.

“He is a big part of our community,” Nicola says.

Our thanks to Mortlock McCormack Law and Powershop, Kidsfirst Community Champion sponsors.

Kidsfirst Community Champion

Phil Innes – Kidsfirst Phillipstown Volunteer

Caption: Phil Innes receiving his Community Champion award alongside the Phillipstown team and parent representative.

Phil Innes was recognised as a 2021 Kidsfirst Community Champion for his care of Kidsfirst Phillipstown’s garden and helping tamariki understand the importance of kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land).

Phil has tended to the garden at Kidsfirst Phillipstown twice a week for the past few years, and always takes the time to teach the children about the importance of being a good caretaker, how to nurture plants, and harvest produce.

Kidsfirst Phillipstown teacher, Heather Goodall, says Phil is known within the community for his dedication and patience.

“Phil is a wonderful supporter of our kindergarten. He voluntarily comes in to see us twice a week, and looks after our vege garden, along with our fruit trees. He takes tamariki in with him, and helps them harvest the fruits and water the plants.”

Heather says Phil’s visits to the kindergarten offer new learning experiences for tamariki, “He lets the children water the plants and talks with them about the different vegetables and fruits on offer - showing them how to plant the new season’s vegetables, too.”

They learn about the plants and their life-cycles, with an emphasis on the importance of sustainability and kaitiakitanga, she says. The garden is always filled with fresh vegetables, plants, and colourful flowers - which tamariki, kaiako and whānau all enjoy.

“Tamariki have the opportunity to harvest the fruit, which we often use to make jams. They love getting involved in the process – it’s a true garden-to-table experience. There’s always enough planted so the whole kindy whānau can share, and parents enjoy the fruits and vegetables they are given, too.”

Thanks to Phil’s help harvesting fruit for, cooking, and preserving jam has become a permanent part of the programme.

Our thanks to Mortlock McCormack Law and Powershop, Kidsfirst Community Champion sponsors.

Kidsfirst Individual Champion

Rose Gould – Kidsfirst Hāwea

Caption: Rose Gould, from Kidsfirst Hāwea, was the individual Champion winner for 2020.

2021 Individual Champion award winner, Rose Gould, was nominated by fellow kaiako at Kidsfirst Hāwea for her outstanding work, leadership, and for fostering engagement at the kindergarten.

Head Teacher, Kylie Arnesen, says Rose is known for her excitement, pride, and involvement with whānau.

“Rose is the epitome of what the Kidsfirst values stand for, and this shines through everyday in her work and play with children, teachers, and whānau.”

Rose has worked as a kindergarten teacher for almost four decades, and joined Kidsfirst Hāwea when it first opened in 2008.

“She has been an integral part of the kindergarten movement for nearly 40 years, and her passion for her job is still alive to this day,” Kylie says. “She shows such pride in her work, not just sometimes, but everyday, and always goes above and beyond what is required of her. Rose is dedicated and will always do her best, no matter what.”

Kylie says Rose is an inspiring professional role model to the team.

“During her time at the kindergarten she has shown resilience and integrity in times of adversity and remained positive through it all. I think anyone who has the privilege to teach alongside her is lucky – we all aspire to be like Rose.”

Rose’s many years of experience have offered positive learning experiences for tamariki and kaiako alike.

“Her vast experience and knowledge in the field of early childhood education has not only improved learning outcomes for the tamariki who have had the good fortune to experience her teaching, but also kaiako, who have learned so much from Rose. Her willingness to share knowledge has been much appreciated by us all.”

Rose offers support to the new tamariki and their whānau when starting kindergarten, and always makes the extra effort to create an inclusive environment, says Kylie.

“She has this ability to make everyone who walks in the door feel welcome and valued. She is often the first staff member to establish a very strong and close bond with the newest tamariki, which helps them settle into their new place of learning.”

One of the parents of a child at Kidsfirst Hāwea reinforced that Rose was great at creating strong relationships with tamariki.

“She has built warm and nurturing relationships with them and truly gets to understand their personality and inspires them to be the best they can be, having high expectations of what they can achieve.”

Another parent says she is an integral part of the kindergarten community, and is known for upholding the Kidsfirst values and being authentic.

"We love everything about her kind nature, along with her abilities to multitask while upholding the Kidsfirst Hāwea kindy values to a high standard. There is no separation for Rose between being at work and out in the community, as she always greets us warmly and makes time to interact with us."

Return to all Issue 9 stories