Our Team
-
Belmont Kids manager
Gwen has always been drawn to working with children and young people. She began volunteering at camps while in High School, interning as a youth group leader after school and becoming a Youth Pastor. Her love for adventure called her to the ocean where she joined Princess Cruises as a youth staff member, going on to become the Youth Programme Manager. Travelling the world and working with children was a dream come true! After settling back in NZ, Gwen came to work for Belmont Kids, first as the programme planner and now the Manager!
When not working, Gwen loves indulging her inner geek with science fiction and fantasy, discovering new adventures and spending time with family.BK Q & A:
What is your favourite part of working with children?
I love so many aspects of my job – planning the activities, guiding the staff, connecting with families; but my most favourite times are when I’m encouraging or showing our young ones their amazing value, just as they are.What is one of your most memorable childhood experiences?
When my family would go camping, we would go hiking up into the mountains and that feeling of adventure, freedom, love of nature has always stayed with me. I used to pretend I was a forest queen!If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
Ever since travelling the world, I have wanted the power to speak any language!If you could live in a movie, which one would you jump into?
The Chronicles of Narnia! I could have tea with talking animals, work with Kings and Queens and be surrounded by magic!
-
Q: What is your favourite part of working with children?
A: I enjoy seeing the children get out of their comfort zone and try new things in a safe, supportive environment. I also like that I can be a big kid at heart and get involved with games/activities, as this reminds me of my childhood growing up with 2 older brothers and time spent volunteering at Totara Springs kids camps.
Q: If you could give any advice to the kids of Belmont, what would you say?
A: Be yourself and don’t let others' perceptions slow you down. We should support each other, spread kindness and not change ourselves to please others. We are all unique, and the world is a better place because we were all made so uniquely in God's image. It would be boring living in a world where everyone was the same.
Q: What kind of hobbies or sports are you involved with?
A: I enjoy keeping fit and socialising through running, hiking, tennis, swimming and being outdoors. I also enjoy travelling, taking photos, working on projects around the house and playing Xbox on occasion.
Q: Tell us one of your most memorable childhood experiences?
A: When my family would travel to Mount Maunganui during school holidays, we would walk up the mountain and get ice cream at the local ice cream shop upon completion.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: Hawaii, because it’s one of my favourite places, there is so much culture, history and always something new to do and experience whilst on the island. It’s also a good stopover or meet-in-the-middle location for visits with one of my older brothers, currently living and working overseas.
Anna
Laura
Don
Rose
Georgia
-
Q: What is your favourite part of working with children?
A: Seeing them having fun and teaching them new skills and activities.
Q: Tell us one of your most memorable childhood experiences?
A: Playing manhunt on the school field or Floor is Lava on the playground!
Q: If you could live in a movie, which one would you jump into and why?
A: I would love to be in the animated series Avatar: the Last Airbender and explore the magical world, ride flying Bisons and have my own elemental power!
Susie
-
Q: What is your favourite part of working with children?
A: My favourite part about working with children is getting to experience their amazing imagination. I love how creative and imaginative kids are and getting to experience and share those moments with them is so rewarding.
Q: How do you spend your week when not at Belmont Kids?
A: When I am not working with the kids, I am either at school studying, socialising with friends and family, training at the gym, or chilling in my room.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why?
A: I would have the ability to control the elements. Being able to control stuff like the weather and the nature would be so awesome, and allow me to make the most of the beautiful world.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: I would travel back to my home country England. I would love to go back and see my family and spend time back in the place I am from.
Q: If you could give any advice to the kids of Belmont, what would you say?
A: I would say do not try to be someone you are not. Embrace who you are and enjoy every moment of life. Do not try to be someone you are not to please others; it is not worth it and you will have a much better life if you just be you.
Ava
-
Q: What is your favourite part of working with children?
A: As well as it being a really rewarding job, I think it’s also helped me to have more empathy for myself and others, because it reminds you that being a kid is hard!
Q: What kind of hobbies or sports are you involved with?
A: I like to run, read, write, and play netball.
Q: Which food could you eat over and over and never get sick of it!?
A: Sushi, there’s so much variety and all of it is delicious.
-
Q: What’s your favourite thing to do with the kids at Belmont Kids?
A: Getting outside and running around with them. I need the exercise!
Q: How do you spend your week when not at Belmont Kids?
A: I work as a Trade Manager for the Tile Depot. Working with the kids is great as they don't ask me about spec sheets or what products are needed to comply with council requirements!!
Q: What does your ideal weekend look like?
A: Time away with my wife.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
North Korea. It would be fascinating!
Q: Which food could you eat over and over and never get sick of it!?
A: Chocolate!!!
Nathan
-
Q: If you could give any advice to the kids of Belmont, what would you say?
A: Don't be afraid to try something new, even if you are doing it by yourself!
Q: How do you spend your week when not at Belmont Kids?
A: Studying Bio-Med and watching tv.
Q: If you could have the ability to do any job, what would you choose to do?
A: Be part of X-men or a mad scientist…! Hehe!
Q: If you could live in a movie, which one would you jump into and why?
A: Harry potter, the Percy Jackson TV Show, Fantasy High, or Descendants. I just wanna be able to do magic and go on adventures with friends!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: AHH EVERYWHERE??? CAN I PICK THAT??? I wanna see the whole world…!
-
Q: What’s your favourite thing to do with the kids at Belmont Kids?
A: I enjoy drawing and colouring with the kids as well as playing card games or board games.
Q: If you could give any advice to the kids of Belmont, what would you say?
A: Growing up is overrated, enjoy being a kid while you still can!
Q: How do you spend your week when not at Belmont Kids?
A: I enjoy acting, singing, and theatre and spend a lot of my time devoted to working on my skills.
Q: If you could have the ability to do any job, what would you choose to do?
A: I would choose to be a famous theatre actress working in the West End.
Connor
-
Q: What is your favourite part of working with children?
A: I love coming up with crazy stories for kids – the crazier the better! I did it when my kids were small (ask Mahlia if she remembers any of them), and I still love to do it now. I’d love to say that they are full of deep moral lessons, but they were far more ridiculous than that.
Q: How do you spend your week when not at Belmont Kids?
A: I’m pastor of Belmont Baptist – which means I pray, teach the Bible, care for people, and a bunch of other things.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: Anfield (Liverpool FC’s home ground), to watch a big Champions League match against another giant of European football. I’ve done the stadium tour, but that just whet my appetite to experience it full of singing supporters!