Staff Profiles -
Jo MacAskill - Head Teacher
Kia ora! I live here in the Ashburton township with my husband Steve, our two boys have grown up and left home. We enjoy the community feel this town has and working in a community centre is a wonderful experience.
I have been working in Early Childhood Education and Care since 1993, originally starting from a Playcentre base. I began teaching at Phoenix Preschool in 2003.
I have a Diploma in Teaching and Learning and Full Teacher Registration. I also have an Associate Teacher Certificate, which enables me to invite students to join us to share a wealth of knowledge and passion that our centre teachers provide each day.
I recognise that this age group will learn more now than in any other time in their lives and aim to provide as many rich experiences as possible, working with them to develop and embrace life long learning skills and strategies.
I look forward to the privilege of working in partnership with your whanau in the education of your preschooler.
Sarah Johnson - Assistant Head Teacher
Kia ora, I’m Sarah. I live in Ashburton with my husband Eion and our dog Monty.
I graduated from Christchurch College of Education in 2003 with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning. I have been working at Phoenix Preschool since September 2005 and during that time I gained my Full Teacher Registration.
My aim is to see that children gain an understanding that they are valued and unique, secure in the knowledge that they are safe to give things a go. My hope is that they learn, develop and grow in a supportive and caring environment.
I’m fond of working with young children and take it as such a privilege to be playing a small part in their life long journey.
Diana Harrison
Hello, I am Diana Harrison. I started teaching at Phoenix Preschool in May 2004 after graduating with my Early Childhood Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education at the end of 2003. In 2006, I completed my Bachelor of Teaching and Learning upgrade.
Prior to my ’formal’ training, I worked for seven years supporting several children with a variety of special needs, in early childhood centres and also a new entrant classroom. Previous to working for Group Special Education and Champion Centre, I was a Barnardos caregiver and also achieved a Teacher Aide Certificate and gained my Mid Canterbury Playcentre Supervisors Certificate.
In 2010 I began a Graduate Diploma of Special Needs Teaching: Early Intervention through the Auckland University.
I am married to Alan and we have three grown children.
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Carole Downes-Gielingh 
Kia ora, I was born and lived my primary school years in Greymouth and have been in Ashburton for the past 40 years. I am married to Steve and we have a 25 year old daughter, Lani.
My first career was as a hairdresser and when Lani was 18 months old I began my next career in Early Childhood. This was at Ashburton Playcentre where I valued the parent education and being able to train as a supervisor alongside my daughter attending.
I have been at Phoenix Preschool (earlier known as Ashburton College Creche) for 24 plus years now, - WOW it must be a great place. First this was with Lani attending and then in a relieving role and I’m still here!!! Hence I have seen many changes in the care and education of Preschool children which I still find rewarding, challenging, stimulating and fulfilling, (sometimes tiring and frustrating), but I value and enjoy being a friend, teacher and carer alongside our little people.
Trudy Thompson
Kia ora I am Trudy Thompson.
I live in Ashburton with my husband Glen and my two daughters Jasmine and Nikayla.
I started at Phoenix Preschool as a relieving teacher in 2003. I took up a permanent position at the beginning of 2006. I graduated with my Batchelor of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education in December 2005.
Previously I have worked as an Education Support Worker, trained through Playcentre, worked as a Barnardos caregiver and also have been a relieving teacher in other childcare centres. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you while working with your children.
Angela Whibley - Infant Primary Caregiver (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Kia ora, I’m Angela and I am new to the Teaching team at Phoenix Preschool having started here in December 2008 after graduating from University of Otago College of Education in November 2008.
My partner Alastair, son Jack, dog and cat live over the bridge in Tinwald, and our interests include Rugby, The Great Outdoors, (fishing, swimming and tramping), Family Movie Night and we all enjoy a good book.
I became interested in the education and care of young children when Jack was attending Preschool in Dunedin and became a reliever at his centre whilst I undertook my formal training at Teachers College.
Being the Primary Caregiver of the Under Two’s, I find the job incredibly rewarding as I watch the littlies develop and grow from week to week and I especially love sharing this journey with their parents, whanau and caregivers.
Donna (Dee) Shefford - Infant Primary Caregiver
Kia Ora, I am Donna (Dee) Shefford and I am the Primary Caregiver for the under two’s while Angela is on Materinty Leave. I live in Geraldine with my husband Robin and my 10 year old step daughter, Katie. I was born and raised in Christchurch and moved to Geraldine in June last year, which has been an exciting change for me.
I have been working in early childhood for nearly 4 years, most of this time I have been teaching children under 2 years old. In 2007 I gained my Bachelor of Teaching and Learning and am provissionally registered. I am currently working towards my full teacher registration. I have worked in a couple of centres in Christchurch and in my last year before moving I was a Head Teacher of a Nursery which I really enjoyed. I really enjoy teaching espically the care and education for the Under 2 children, as I find it so rewarding being part of each child’s learning and development.
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone while I am at Phoenix Preschool.
Marion Logan
I’m Marion Logan and have been teaching at Phoenix Preschool since 2007.
Although I completed my formal education, (a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning-Early Childhood), in 2006 at Christchurch College of Education, I expect and desire to continue learning for many years to come.
I’m enjoying teaching with professional, challenging, supportive and mature colleagues, great parents, and a diverse range of wonderful children. Areas of learning of particular interest to me currently include, social and emotional development, such as being attuned, secure attachments, optimal behaviour guidance and children’s connection to nature.
Di Prendergast - Office Manager
I began working here at Phoenix Preschool in October 2005 as the Office Administrator. My days of work here are currently Monday to Thursday. Before commencing my position here I worked for 20 years in the banking industry.
I live in Ashburton with my husband Mark and we have two children, Harrison and Cameron, whom both attend St Joseph school. We are very busy with many sporting after school commitments.
I enjoy working with the support of a wonderful team of committee members and along side an energetic and enthusiastic team of teachers who are passionate about their roles and thoroughly enjoy working with our children.
Donna Jones
Hi my name is Donna Jones and I am a 38yr old mother of 2. Brandi-Jean is nearly 12 and attends Ashburton Intermediate. Alex is 10 and he is in Year 5 at Tinwald School. My partner Steve and I run a small part time business from home as well as him working at CMP.
I started at Phoenix Preschool at the beginning of 2007 as a Domestic Person. Previously I had been Assistant Manager at Couplands Bakery where I gained a lot of knowledge about safe food handling and preparation, which has come in handy here at Phoenix.
My interests are watching rugby and netball, I love cooking but most of all I love spending time with friends and my children.
Management Committee -
Our main area of concern is in the role of governance. We are responsible for designing and putting into words the vision of how we want Phoenix Preschool to operate in the future.
Chairperson: Allanah Watson
Licensee: Michelle Hosking
Secretary: Ange Scammell
Treasurer : Nathalie Hastie
Committee: Carla Davis, Megan Jansen and Ellie Hill
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