Trust Members

Suzanne Drury-Turnbull

With a diploma in Teaching ECE; and Aperfield Montessori Diploma in ECE. Formerly a Supervisor of Montessori Horizons Preschool Riwaka, Suzanne has over 30 years of experience in working with children falling between birth and 6 years.

She has worked in various Maternity hospitals well as the Neonatal unit at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Suzanne has also worked in various Montessori preschools both privately owned and community run. She has worked in a primary school setting, in a resource room run for children requiring learning support and as a SPELD teacher working with children with learning difficulties.

Suzanne teaches directed distance learning Introductory Book 1, and Book 2 courses in Christchurch.

Bianca has been the owner of Riccarton Park Montessori since its establishment in 1997. She has a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and a Montessori Diploma. Bianca has over 25 years of Montessori teaching experience. Bianca joined the Aperfield Montessori Trust in 2014.

Christine Kirkeby is the owner and manager of Bella Montessori at Kaiapoi. I have managed and operated a number of Montessori Preschools including Learning Curves Montessori Redwood and St Albans and Garden Grove Montessori in Timaru. I have also worked for the Education Review Office and the Ministry of Education as a Senior Advisor in Early Childhood.

I have a Masters in Educational Leadership and completed my Aperfield Montessori Diploma in 2014.

I joined the Aperfield Trust in December 2013.

Chairperson

Elaine initially trained as a Primary teacher but moved to Early Childhood after seeing the importance of the first five years education to children’s development.

Elaine met Binda Goldsborough during her course of study for the Aperfield Diploma as the first group of students in the Aperfield course. During this time Elaine opened an Early Childhood centre in Akaroa and completed the MWEI Primary Montessori Diploma. After seven years she decided to move to Christchurch to open a new centre. Elaine completed her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning Early Childhood while preparing for the opening of my new centre.

In 1999 Elaine opened Airdmhor Montessori in Halswell Road and is still working full time in the centre as owner and Supervisor.

Elaine became a Trustee for the Aperfield Trust later on and was fortunate to spend time with Binda and gain insight into the Montessori Philosophy. Elaine is passionate about providing a pathway for teachers to study the Montessori philosophy by completing the Aperfield Montessori Diploma. This will ensure more children will be able to have access to a Montessori Early Childhood Education in New Zealand in the future.