Our incredible educators are...
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Kim GillandersCEO & Lead Educator
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people! Throughout the years of working with neurodiverse and exceptional minds in our Head Office programmes, I have really valued the specialist nature of the work and the connection with our students and their families. We really are a community! Presenting in staff meetings, workshops and professional development sessions to share best practice and our programmes in this neurodiverse space has strengthened my own direction in my lifelong journey in education. It has enabled me to work alongside and mentor an incredible team of like-minded educators. It is, indeed, all about the people! Originally from the Waikato, I came to Taranaki (almost a local by now!) and took on a Deputy Principal role in New Plymouth before leaving mainstream education for a more specialist role. I am a mum of three now adults, all Taranaki born, who I am incredibly proud of. I live on a lifestyle block with my husband and two nutty golden retrievers, where we have been developing the land, spending precious time with family, and indulging in a love of cooking. [email protected] |
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Lisa BehrentEducator
'Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!' – Dr. Seuss Believing in all children and helping to instil confidence, a sense of pride and a growth mindset in their own abilities and self-worth is my daily goal as an educator. Every child has something special to offer and it is our collective role to help discover, support and develop these journeys. I am super excited to be a part of The Head Office and to be working with neurodiverse minds and advanced yet complex students – a particular interest of mine that has drawn me back to this role from an earlier association with the Taranaki Gifted Community Trust. I have been a primary teacher since 2005 and taught in Wellington and New Plymouth. Born and raised in Taranaki, my husband and I returned to the region to raise our own family. We have three children who are all at various stages at primary, intermediate and high school. Wearing a ‘mum hat’ as well as an ‘educator hat’ helps me to bring another level of understanding and empathy to my role. Learning about neurodiversity and catering for various learning needs has always been a personal interest and I look forward to delving further into these areas. In my free time I enjoy reading, gardening, cooking and spending precious time with my family and friends exploring and experiencing all that our region has to offer. [email protected] |
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Nicola IrvineEducator
I am passionate about ensuring every child has equal opportunity to develop and ensuring that individual needs are met. My husband and I have two children and moved to Taranaki three years ago. Born and raised in Devon, England, we have since lived in a number of places around the world. We spent several years living in The Netherlands, where I enjoyed working in an International School. I qualified as a secondary teacher in the UK, with experience spanning secondary, intermediate, primary and early years. During this time I have worked with neurodiverse children on a 1-1 basis and group setting. I thrive as an educator and a mum. In addition to being a professional qualified tennis coach, I enjoy spending family time outdoors, whether it be walking, biking, playing tennis or travelling around with the children’s sporting passions. I am excited to be a part of this amazing team and be able to support, grow and develop individual learning styles. [email protected] |
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Donna StrattonEducation Assistant
I live in New Plymouth with my husband and between us we have a blended family of 5 children and 3 gorgeous grandchildren with one on the way. For the past 11 years I have worked as an office manager at an after school tuition centre in New Plymouth but have had many years experience working as a teacher aide in both Wellington and Hawera schools - which I loved! I'm excited to be part of the Head Office team and to be working once again alongside and with children. [email protected] |
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Yvonne HurbunsEducation Assistant
Originally from South Africa, I have called New Zealand home since 2011. Before moving to New Zealand, I worked as a Human Resource Officer at a university in South Africa, as well as in various administrative roles in both Auckland and New Plymouth. My journey of working with children began in 2019 at Educare Training, where I quickly discovered my passion for this field. Inspired by this experience, I pursued a qualification in Primary Education at the University of Waikato, which I completed in 2021. As a mother of three children with diverse learning challenges, I find it easy to connect with children and create meaningful relationships. I am excited to see both familiar and new faces in the coming year and look forward to contributing to the growth and well-being of the children we serve. [email protected] |
Behind the scenes magic is performed by...
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Janita MeijerinkOperations & Student Coordinator
Born in The Netherlands, I immigrated to New Zealand with my parents when I was 4 years old. Living in Auckland my whole life, my family and I decided to move to New Plymouth in 2018 for a better work/life balance and love it here. I’m a mum of two teenage sons who are my world, one of whom went through the Head Office programme and had such a positive and lasting impact on him. We have a sweet little mini Poodle cross called Indie and also a Russian Blue cat called Athena. I’ve come from Taranaki Cricket where I looked after the running of the Association's junior competitions, coaching programmes, junior development and representative programmes and general office administration. Before that, I worked for the Head Held High speech and drama company in Auckland and had worked for them for six years as the Customer Services Team Leader for more than 800 children.I thoroughly enjoy watching rugby league and cricket (yawn, I know!) on TV and play pickleball in my spare time. I also love photography and will give anything arty or crafty a go. I’m incredibly excited and grateful to be a part of such a passionate and dedicated team. [email protected] |
Our Board Members are...
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Fiona Lal
Chairperson
Raised in Taranaki, I studied Law and Commerce at Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Accounting and Commercial Law. My husband and I travelled widely after university, and I have been fortunate to have worked in a number of countries, with a varied career mostly in Accounting & Systems Analysis, giving me a strong diversity of skills. Once we had children, we found the pull to come back to Taranaki and family irresistible. We are co-directors of local consulting company CodeFluent Limited, but I have been in the fortunate position of giving my family priority when considering career options and am grateful to be able to contribute to our local community. I am a Trustee of the Taranaki Toy Library, and a founding trustee of Flourish Taranaki Community Trust, as well as joining the Taranaki Gifted Community Trust Board in 2017. My amazing family inspires me daily and I have seen my children benefit first-hand from the amazing work that these Trusts do. It is humbling to work alongside such hard-working, selfless people who work to enrich the lives of children, their whanau and our local community. [email protected] |
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Kirsty RiddellTrustee & Treasurer
Having grown up in Scotland and spending some time travelling and working around the world, I landed in New Plymouth with my husband in 2005. We have two children who were born in Taranaki. It is a privilege to be a Trustee at TGC with this incredible group of dedicated parents and educators in an ever-evolving area of empowering neurodiverse children and it is very exciting to be involved from the beginning in the expansion of the Trust to include dyslexic children. I am an accountant and I look forward to bringing my financial skills to help shape and grow the Trust to enhance the wellbeing and super strengths of all our neurodiverse children. [email protected] |
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Chris CecchiniTrustee & Secretary
A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. I left South Africa in 2018, landing straight into New Plymouth and the shadow of Taranaki Maunga bringing my wife and three beautiful children. My journey has taken me through roles that combine leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving, which have shaped my passion for creating positive impact in both professional and community spaces. These experiences have inspired me to contribute my skills and energy to causes that truly matter. I serve our children and teachers as a Trustee and Secretary, driven by a strong commitment to ensuring the trees we plant today will give shade long after I am gone. [email protected] |
The Head Office Hall of Fame
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