Why Choose Us > Our Strengths > Our People

Our People

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South Otago kindergartens is made up of a Management team of 3 people, and Board of 8 people. We operate 4 Kindergartens Rosebank, Balclutha, Milton & Goldfields. We employ a total of 17 qualified teachers and one in-training. We also employ 3 support staff across the kindergartens in differing roles.

Meet Our Team

Gillian Melvin - Senior Teacher
I am proud to say I have been part of the South Otago Kindergartens for many years and have been involved in all levels of the organisation from teaching, as a parent and latterly in this role. Over this time I have seen many changes but I feel the key to our success is that all decisions we make,  comes back to what is best for our children. 
My role is to provide leadership and advice to our teaching teams in all aspects of professional teaching practice, to ensure the provision of high quality early childhood education for all our children.  I am also very privileged to be part of the management team that leads the organisation.


Phone : 03-418-2043
Cell : 021-121-6005
Email : gillian@sokindergartens.org.nz
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Alethea Solomon
Alethea is the Office Manager for the Association and is the person who will greet you
at the office in Elizabeth Street when you call in or over the phone when you ring.

Phone: 03 418-2043
Email: office@sokindergartens.org.nz
Trudy Hastie - Grants Coordinator
Trudy is our person who coordinates all the applications and accountability reports for our grant applications, on behalf of our Kindergartens.  She is responsible for keeping our webpage and Facebook page up to date with information and photos supplied by each of our kindergartens.
Phone: 03 418-2043
Email: trudy@sokindergartens.org.nz 
Daniel Wark - Board President
Daniel is the President of our Board and is also part of our Management team.  Daniel role is to lead the Board to create a vision for our Kindergartens in South Otago and as part of the Management team to ensure this happens on a day to day basis.
Daniel has been part of the Kindergartens in many roles, as a parent, on the local Kindergartens committee, a Board representative and then stepping up to President.
Julie Broderwick - Vice President
Julie is our Vice President.  Julie’s role is to assist with the leadership of the Board to fulfill the vision of the South Otago Kindergartens.  Julie has had 3 children go through one of the local Kindergartens and has had roles within the Kindergarten Organisation as a Parent, on the local Kindergarten Fundraising Team Committee, a Balclutha Kindergarten Parent Representative on the Board and now is a Community Representative on the Board – with all 3 children now attending school, Julie still feels strongly about the values and vision of the Kindergarten Association. 

 

 
Emma Omelvena Flame - Teacher Representative 
Liz Ralston - Board Member Balclutha Kindergarten Parent Representative
Katie Whale - Board Member Rosebank Kindergarten Parent Representative
Mathew Little - Board Member Goldfields Kindergarten Parent Representative
Zippy Simpson - Board Member Milton Kindergarten Parent Representative