Our Team

Ko Ruta-Kau (Ru) Korau-Rangi tōku ingoa. Nō Taranaki me Whanganui ahau, and I am the Head Teacher at All Saints Early Learning Centre. I joined our beautiful learning community in August 2025 and feel grateful to be part of a centre that values relationships, creativity, and the unique mana of every child.

I have worked in early childhood education for the past decade, largely within Reggio Emilia-inspired settings, and have spent the last five years in leadership roles as both a Head Teacher and Centre Manager. I am excited to bring this experience into my role at All Saints ELC as I support, mentor, and continue to grow alongside our kaiako team.

My teaching philosophy is grounded in respectful relationships, child-led learning, and creating environments where tamariki feel safe, confident, curious, and deeply connected. I have a special love for messy play, sensory exploration, music, dancing, and singing with tamariki. I believe children make sense of the world through joyful, hands-on experiences, and I love being alongside them as they discover, question, create, and express themselves in their own unique ways.

As Head Teacher, I am passionate about supporting a calm, nurturing, and inspiring learning environment where tamariki are seen, heard, valued, and celebrated. I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with our tamariki and whānau as we learn, grow, and explore the world together.

My name is Anna Langridge, and I hold a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education. It is a joy to be part of the teaching team at All Saints ELC, a beautiful Reggio Emilia-inspired learning community that I joined in May 2025.

I bring a wide range of experience across diverse early childhood settings. My teaching journey began over a decade ago, inspired by a meaningful connection with a three-year-old child whose joy, resilience, and courage left a lasting impression on me. Since then, I have had the privilege of working alongside many tamariki, whānau, and specialists, creating nurturing and inclusive environments where children feel seen, heard, valued, and celebrated.

I believe every child is capable, curious, creative, and rich with potential. My teaching philosophy is grounded in respectful relationships, bicultural practice, and a strong commitment to social and emotional wellbeing. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, I value listening closely to tamariki, following their interests, and co-constructing meaningful learning experiences. I also have a special passion for language, literacy, and storytelling.

Outside of the centre, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and friends. I also love op-shopping, cooking, and discovering new markets.

I feel grateful for the relationships I have already built at All Saints ELC and look forward to continuing to welcome and connect with new tamariki and whānau within our special learning community.

Kia ora! Konnichiwa, whānau! My name is Kotomi Ikeda. I am an Early Childhood Teacher at All Saints Early Learning Centre. With experience in early childhood education (ECE) in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Japan, I am passionate about creating an inclusive environment where tamariki and their families feel valued, heard, and connected through respectful communication as partners in their learning journey.

I believe that every child is unique and has the potential to flourish in their own way. As a teacher, I play, sing, and learn alongside children, cherishing each moment we share. It is a true privilege to witness their growth up close and be part of their learning journey.

Originally from Japan, I moved to Auckland in 2016 and have since come to love New Zealand’s natural beauty. I enjoy exploring the outdoors and visiting playgrounds with my son, appreciating the meaningful learning opportunities that nature provides.

I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with tamariki, whānau, and kaiako at All Saints Early Learning Centre. I look forward to building meaningful relationships and contributing to this special learning community.

Kia ora e te whānau, my name is Ashleigh Heelam. I hold a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) and I am pleased to be a part of this wonderful community and team here at All Saints Early Learning Centre.

My passion for all things early childhood bloomed with my own son and through taking him to Space at Playcentre - I loved connecting with other parents and marvelled at how wonderous our youngest tamariki are! 

Building genuine and caring relationships based on manaakitanga (support, kindness and respect) is vital and I hold that intention with everything I do as a teacher. I believe in encouraging a calm and secure home-away-from-home for our tamariki because when our children feel safe, valued and included so too does their confidence and sense of who they are also get uplifted.

I have been a creative since I was young myself and this is reflected in my passion for sharing how the world can be explored through art and our senses. So much learning can be empowered through creative play and opportunities for using your imagination, from developing language and storytelling to socio-emotional and problem-solving skills.

When I am not teaching, my husband and I are parents to our busy-body, almost 4-year-old son Rocco. I am also an avid reader, crocheter and enjoy going for a wander around the many local bush walks in West Auckland.