Testimonials

The teachers are so excited to see our children taking more risks in their play and actively contributing their ideas and thoughts and knowledge.  We find this process rewarding in noticing children developing their trust to work with Steve and participating when they are comfortable and confident of what is happening.  In working with Steve they are learning so many skills but particularly how to follow through on an idea, brainstorm, contribute ideas on how tools work and how the next step can be done – they are thinking, reasoning, understanding and processing at a higher level than before.  We are seeing our children now starting to use these skills in other areas as the children gain their confidence and awareness of what they are capable of and what they can achieve individually and as part of a group.  Steve thank you so much – this is an amazing journey we are all on – our parents are becoming just as involved as the children.

Vicky Wright - Head teacher Anchorage Park Kindergarten

We contract Steve to work with our children for 4 hours every fortnight on a Friday.  Steve is fully registered and a specialist teacher, in technology, who is known in our community for his work alongside young children and children with special needs.  His work is amazing and when we had the opportunity to have Steve working here with us this year – we jumped at the chance.  Having seen his work on previous occasions we felt excited at the opportunities that would be opened up to our children and privileged to be able to offer this specialised curriculum support within our programme.

Shelley Unger - Head teacher Highland Park Kindergarten

Steve has an inherent belief in the goodness and greatness of others and supports all with compassion, to achieve their best. Children and adults alike are drawn to Steve because they know that they will be accepted and valued.

Lyn Platt - Director of Teaching & Learning, Waimokoia School

Having Steve at BBK was a great experience. Children were given opportunities to learn new skills, problem-solve, plan and design. Steve's patient, supportive and fun approach to teaching and working with the children empowered them to be involved, take risks and ownership over their work. Mondays with Steve were always special and the projects created with him are still much loved and used today.

Elayne Biggam – Head teacher Bucklands Beach Kindergarten

The children, parents and teachers at Cascades Kindergarten have really enjoyed having Steve working with us. It has been really exciting to watch the children’s confidence grow as they develop courage to use tools and machines they probably have never seen before.
During our huge animal house project, I watched as children eventually taught other children how to use the equipment and where to put that screw or staple.
In today’s community, where often children live in fatherless homes, it has been encouraging for us to see Steve interacting with children in such an affirming and natural way.
Steve brought with him such patience and encouraging words for each child.

We can highly recommend Steve and his work!

Christine McGill - Head teacher Cascades Kindergarten

Our children look forward with eager anticipation to the Fridays that Steve spends with us at Kindergarten. He has a wonderful, natural ability to encourage the children to problem solve and think outside the square. The children are enthusiastic about contributing ideas for their project designs and they have learnt much about the safe handling and use of electric drills, bandsaws and other specialised carpentry tools.

Heather Brooke – Head teacher Pakuranga Kindergarten

Working with Steve has been a highlight for many of our children. Steve's main curriculum area links to technology but children experience many different learning areas. He sets clear and simple rules about working safely and how and when equipment can be used.

What do we notice as we observe their working alongside each other  - brainstorming, planning, re evaluating, communicating, sharing ideas, waiting for turns, using different woodwork equipment and materials, using tape measures, thinking and making predictions about size, shape, learning about space perception, using trial and error, reporting back to small and large groups.

Having Steve here has allowed the children to have a good male role model, which is important for children who often only experience female teachers.

Sue Holtshousen - Head teacher Somerville Kindergarten