Our People

Joy Garcia, Centre Manager

What inspired you to work in ECE? 

Coming from a medical field, my area of interest has always been in paediatrics. I was fascinated at a young age by the astounding pace at which the human brain develops in the first years of life. Child psychology too, was a precursor to my interest in working in ECE; children's ability to adapt and develop resilience to various life circumstances, though not fully understood even in today's scientific triumphs, has always been a compelling and inspiring subject for me. I’ve been working in ECE since 2003. 

Amanda Pritchard, Administrator

Amanda has been working for Pascals Albany since 2012. She is often the first of many warm and friendly smiles that greet you as you come through our doors. On top of being our most capable and dedicated full time administrator, Amanda is also currently studying towards her Early Childhood Teaching Degree extramurally. She and her husband are proud parents of 3 beautiful girls who have either attended or still are attending Pascals Albany. Amanda loves all sports and having a good laugh with her work colleagues.

Sheena Lising, Assistant Centre Manager

Sheena completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree and worked with infants overseas for two years before settling in New Zealand. She was a nursery and a toddlers’ teacher before joining Pascals Albany in 2016.  A mother herself to two young children, Sheena is passionate about providing nurture, care, respect and love for our youngest learners, and creating an environment where they can feel secure, happy, and develop a love for lifelong learning. Sheena’s leadership style is collaborative, honest and supportive.   

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE); Full Teacher Registration

Melissa McAlpine, Head Teacher (Toddlers)

Melissa has been a part of Pascals Albany since 2013. She has since taught across various age groups including Nursery, Toddlers and Kindy. She has three young children of her own, all boys. Melissa comes from a strong Maori background which is where her passion lies. Thus, she strongly believes in supporting the identities, languages and cultures of all children through the concepts of Ako, Whanaungatanga and Tuakana-Teina suggesting that each member of the learning community brings their own knowledge from which we are all able to learn

Bachelor of Education, Early Childhood Teaching; Full Teacher Registration

Natasha (Tash) Lines, Head Teacher (Preschool 1)

Tash has a Bachelor of Education from The University of Auckland and has been a registered teacher since joining Pascals Albany in 2012. Tash is excited for the next stage of her teaching journey working alongside an older age group of children and she is dedicated to developing her practice to meet their learning needs. A passionate leader,  Tash loves putting her whole self into her interactions with the children, even if it means getting messy and sandy building castles in the sandpit.

Bachelor of Education (ECE); Full Teacher Registration

Shiree Brock, Head Teacher (Preschool 2)

Shiree holds a Bachelor of Education (ECE Teaching) from AUT University. She has been a dedicated team member of Pascals Albany since 2011 and has since developed expertise in working with children ages 18 months to 3.5 years. Shiree is a conscientious, diligent, highly professional leader with a quirky sense of humour, quiet confidence, and a sense of humility that may under-promise but will surely over-deliver. Shiree and her team strive to maintain a peaceful but engaging nature-inspired programme that caters to younger preschoolers’ specific developmental needs.

Bachelor of Education (ECE); Full Teacher Registration

Gyongyi Lazar, Head Teacher (Nursery)

Gyongyi completed a Bachelor of Science and worked with special needs children in Europe before immigrating to New Zealand. Gyongyi is a pillar of our centre, having been with Pascals Albany since 2010. Her passion truly is in the 0-2 year old age groups which she pursued further by completing a RIE® certificate in Melbourne Australia in late 2019. Gyongyi's patience, gentleness and respectful practice are the foundations of her leadership and approach to guiding our kaiako in Nursery.
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Registration.

Candy Zheng, Acting Head Teacher (Kindy)

Candy came to New Zealand as a teenager, went to Rutherford College in West Auckland, then attended Massey University for her Bachelor's Degree. She joined Pascals Albany as a student teacher in 2012.