Our People

Leigh holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Management and has been working with children for 15 years in a variety of settings including Early Childhood Education, After School and School Holiday Care, Enviroschools, Pony Club, Girl Scouts and as a Nanny. Her pedagogical trainings and practical experience in Germany led to her interest in children's well-being and development via alternative learning, such as the Kuno Beller Development Model. 

As a child she was lucky enough to attend many programmes and camps that had a profound impact on her. The vision that drove her to start Tui’s Nest Nature School was to bring back that 90's childhood: mud pies, tree-climbing, dirty clothes and yellow waterslides!

Leigh is certified in Child First Aid and has attended Child Safeguarding training.

In her free time, Leigh loves horse riding, snowboarding, sewing costumes and getting out and about to spend quality time with her family.

Jenni graduated from Waikato University with a Teaching Certificate, and continued professional development during her 35 years’ experience teaching 5 to 13 year-olds. School camps and field trips were often her highlights of the year.  From 2012 to 2024 she enjoyed 12 years as an Enviroschools facilitator. Jenni demonstrates a commitment to the Enviroschools kaupapa which focuses on a holistic approach to principles of Empowered Learners, Sustainable Communities, Te Ao Māori, Learning for Sustainability, and Respect for Diversity. 

She has a current First Aid certificate and has attended local Te Reo classes and Te Tiriti workshops. All of this experience, knowledge and enthusiasm are brought to Tui’s Nest Nature School to support outdoor learning in an Aotearoa social context.

In her free time, Jenni enjoys sewing, repurposing, gardening, meditation, walking/tramping and spending quality time with her family, including her two granddaughters.