2025 - Year 0-1 teaching team

Claire Wheeldon - Learning Leader

Claire is originally from the UK where she really enjoyed her years teaching Junior School children before having twin girls of her own. She has lived in Tai Tapu Christchurch for 13 Years now with her husband Adam and growing twins. Claire worked for 3 years at South Hornby Primary and then spent the last 7 Years teaching years 0 to 4 at Tai Tapu School. She is passionate about developing the talents and skills of our young learners. When not at LWG Claire loves exploring New Zealand beaches, hanging out with friends, music and snowboarding in winter with her family.

clairew@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Jeaneen Waterman

Jeaneen grew up in Palmerston North and from there she went to Design School in Wellington where she met my husband, David.
She has three children who are all grown up now. They now live in West Melton as a small family of three, David, Rocket the dog, and Jeaneen. She enjoys dog walking, swimming, gardening, and being with her family. They also have a caravan which is so much fun to take off in for a break.
When my older children started to show signs that they would grow up and get their own lives, she retrained as a teacher at Teachers College at the Karori campus in Wellington.
I taught at a small school in Wainuiomata for twelve years, then in 2017 we moved to Christchurch where I have taught in a range of schools.

jeaneen@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Brianna Hedley

Brianna was born and raised in the small rural town of Gore, and is a proud Southlander. She moved to Christchurch in 2022 to pursue a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury. In her spare time, she enjoys singing country music, playing her guitar and spending quality time with family and friends. Brianna brings a passion for Kapa Haka, Te Reo and Performing Arts. She is looking forward to embracing these passions in the classroom through fun and engaging learning experiences for all to enjoy. Brianna is dedicated to creating a learning environment that is inclusive, safe and supportive, fostering students to take risks with their learning and strive towards personal excellence. Brianna is so excited to begin her teaching career at Te Uru Tarata | Lemonwood Grove School in 2025 and meet the students, families and staff within the kura community.

briannah@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Jane Wood

Jane is originally from Wales, completing her teaching degree in 1999 at the University of Wales and has many years of teaching experience. She has spent time in various year groups in Junior Schools throughout the UK, Cyprus, Australia and NZ. She has a husband and a daughter and has now settled in the Selwyn area. She is enthusiastic about developing a fun learning environment and building strong caring relationships with her learners. Jane enjoys exploring New Zealand and catching up with family and friends.

janew@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Jana Munro

In 2018 Jana started working at Lemonwood Grove in the year 0-1 team. When she had my first child in 2020 she went on leave, and returned in 2021 in a part-time role. In 2023 Jana had her second child, and since then she has been teaching year 5-6 at Leeston School. Jana is looking forward to returning to Lemonwood Grove School and catching up with the familiar faces, and getting to know all the new ones too!

janam@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Emma Bryce

Emma is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand and grew up here in Rolleston. She studied a Bachelors of Primary Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury, graduating at the end of 2023. After graduating, Emma spent some time working in an early childhood centre as well as relieving at some of the primary schools here in Rolleston. She loves spending time with her friends and whānau as well as enjoying the beautiful outdoors here in Aotearoa. Emma is extremely excited to be part of the Lemonwood Grove community.

emmab@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Rachel McDougall - Learning Leader(Wai Tarata)

Rachel grew up in Nelson and Dunedin before moving to Lincoln in 2009 with her whānau. She completed her teacher training at Canterbury University and started her career in 2017. Since then, Rachel has worked at various schools across Christchurch. She joined Te Uru Tarata | Lemonwood Grove School in 2024. Rachel recently moved back to Lincoln with her husband, Jori and her dog, Remi. In her spare time, she enjoys getting out in nature, going for walks, drawing and spending time with her whānau and friends. Rachel is looking forward to meeting you and learning together!

rachelm@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

McKenzie Hartley (Wai Tarata)

McKenzie grew up in sunny Papamoa, Tauranga. She moved to Christchurch in 2020 to study at the University of Canterbury, achieving her undergraduate degree in a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Education, and more recently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning. She is passionate about learning and watching tamariki grow, having been an Assistant Tennis Coach for over five years and a Supervisor at after-school care and holiday programmes. In her spare time, McKenzie enjoys playing hockey, going on walks, and spending time with friends and whānau. McKenzie is very excited about joining the Te Uru Tarata | Lemonwood Grove team and cannot wait to meet everyone. 

mckenzieh@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Katy Docherty (Wai Tarata)

Katy was born and raised in Ōtautahi and will complete her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury in December 2024. She is no stranger to the Lemonwood Grove community, completing her student-teaching and returning for relieving. During her university breaks, Katy worked at an early childhood centre, where she enjoyed getting to know the children and their whānau. She is passionate about embracing all cultures, ensuring every ākonga feels valued and empowered. Outside of teaching, you’ll often find her soaking up the sunshine while running or enjoying a coffee - though she also keeps busy with some deep cleaning! Katy is excited and honoured to join the wonderful LWG community. She looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her ākonga, staff, and whānau.

katyd@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Brian Healy (Pia Tarata)

Brian, originally from county Kerry in Ireland, moved to New Zealand with his wife and two young children. In pursuit of a career shift to teaching, he completed his graduation from the University of Canterbury in 2023. He now resides in Rolleston. His interests include a huge variety of sports and the great outdoors. He describes Aotearoa as the most picturesque country in the world, especially the south island. He is hugely excited to see the new developments planned for the school and to be part of the expanding Lemonwood Grove team.

brianh@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz

Hannah Krijinen (Pia Tarata)

Hannah grew up in Ōtautahi and completed her Bachelor of Language in Japanese. She then completed her Graduate Diploma in Teaching in 2018. Hannah has taught in various junior school roles, and relieved in many schools around Christchurch, and taught English in Japan for 1 year. She loves learning languages, traveling, yoga, and absolutely anything creative. 

hannahk@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz