OUR STAFF
PiPS employs a manager and three facilitators who work with our member schools:
CLARE – Manager
Clare Rodgers has been with PiPS since its inception, originally as the garden facilitator at Arataki and Tahatai Coast Primary Schools. She has a passion for sharing knowledge gained from completing an Organic Level 3 Horticulture course, and the learnings of other gardeners around her.
Clare is married with three children, one of whom is autistic and needs to feel grounded on the soil. Watching her children grow up in this uncertain world makes her aware of how important it is to provide tamariki with gardening skills, knowledge that will go with them anywhere.
In recent years a wrist injury has impacted Clare’s ability to garden and she’s moved into a managerial role within PiPS, training, supporting and relieving the facilitators. She also acts as a liaison between PiPS and member schools, and explores funding and sponsorship opportunities for PiPS from within our local business community.
She has watched PiPS grow in strength and numbers with every year, something she’s very proud of.
NINA – FACILITATOR
Hello everyone!
My name is Nina Henderson, PiPS garden facilitator. I’m originally from Germany where I grew up in the beautiful countryside. Nature, Environment and Sustainability have always been very important to me. I moved about 9 years ago to New Zealand with my kiwi husband and our two sons Henry & Jimmy.
I’m a passionate gardener and enjoy being outdoors. I am looking forward to taking on this opportunity to help the children understand about growing food and enjoying the rewards of produce. I’m looking forward to meeting and working with you all!
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”
Audrey Hepburn
MAEVE – facilitator
I’m Maeve, garden facilitator with PiPS. My involvement with the organisation began with my children in the school gardens at Omanu Primary and Mount Intermediate, where I loved helping out with the lunchtime gardening clubs and weekend working bees.
My background is in education and having worked as a secondary school teacher in Ireland and an ESL teacher here, I’m excited about this opportunity. Through PiPS I can combine my love for nature and the environment with teaching! Being able to spend time outdoors, growing healthy food with children is going to be awesome!
LEELA – facilitator
Kia Ora!
My name is Leela Woodgate, I live in Okere Falls with my husband and two young sons on a property where we have a shared vegetable garden and chickens with our neighbours. My background is in teaching outdoor education, and a few years ago I did my permaculture design course because of my interest in gardening and environmental sustainability.
I am passionate about looking after our precious soil, growing kai, composting, increasing biodiversity and caring for Papatūānuku. I feel that it is important for as many people as possible to know where their food comes from and how they can best look after this planet in which we are dependent on.
“Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact it rains.” Paul Harvey