Our History |
Established in September 1994, Montessori Blenheim was the first Montessori early childhood centre established in the Marlborough region. What began with two teachers and twelve children has grown over the past thirty years into the vibrant learning community and thoughtfully prepared indoor and outdoor spaces we offer today.
Located in central Blenheim, our school of special character welcomes families from across Marlborough who are seeking a calm, respectful and child-led approach to early learning. Rachel and Willy Roundhill became the owners of Montessori Blenheim in 2015, raising their own children alongside the many families who make up our community. Deeply committed to our Marlborough community, they are passionate about creating a nurturing learning space where children, whānau and kaiārahi experience a strong sense of belonging. Today, Montessori Blenheim is proud to be an AMI-recognised Montessori school, offering an authentic Montessori education grounded in internationally recognised principles and practice. |
Meet Our Team
Rachel Roundhill
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Tēnā koutou
Ko Tapuae-o-Uenuku te maunga Ko Wairau te awa Ko Totaranui te moana Kei Ōmaka tōku kāinga ināianei Ko Roundhill tōku whānau Ko Rachel tōku ingoa My husband, Willy, and I have two boys, Oscar (9) and Ned (7). We enjoy spending time together, fishing, eating and catching up with our extended family. My Montessori education began as a preschooler at Berhampore Montessori in Wellington in 1990. As a teacher, walking into Montessori Blenheim brought a real sense of 'coming home'. I love this school, the children and the sense of community it fosters. We are incredibly proud of our exceptional team of hardworking kaiārahi, and the families who we work with. I look forward to meeting and working with you. |
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TtheKo Tapuae-o-Uenuku te maunga
Ko Wairau te awa Ko Tōtaranui te moana Ko Waikawa te marae Ko Native American te iwi Nō Waiharakeke me Waitohi ahau Kei Anakiwa me Tirimoana tōku kāinga ināianei Ko Whatamonga tōku Turangawaewae Ko Tredinnick tōku whānau Ko Paul tōku matua Ko Louise tōku whaea Ko Sarah tōku ingoa I was born in Whatamonga Bay and am now living in paradise in the Marlborough Sounds where I have a special sense of belonging. I am passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people, with both my Primary and Early childhood graduate diplomas. I have completed my International AMI Montessori Diploma - a profound spiritual and self journey that has shed new light on my teaching perspectives. I am talented in Visual and Performing Arts and I spend most of my weekends exploring the outdoors, camping and fishing in the Marlborough Sounds. |
Sarah Tredinnick
Kaiārahi (Guide) |
Mollie Bradley
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Ko Mollie Bradley tōku ingoa. I grew up in England and migrated to Marlborough as a teenager. My husband Steven and I have our beautiful 4 year old, Harry, and Jack Russell, Ruby. My passion for working with children came from the joy I got from playing with my nieces. I also become fascinated about the growth and development children go through in the first 5 years of life. I am passionate about Montessori not only due to the philosophy but for the close family relationships we have here. I love the uniqueness that each child and family brings with them and enjoy providing them with a nurturing, respectful and inviting environment, where they are able to develop a love of learning. |
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Ko Tapuae-o-uenuku te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau. Ko Wairau te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara. Nō Waiharakeke ahau. Ko Jo Boekholt rāua ko Graeme Ellis ōku mātua. Ko Jess rāua ko Rachel āku tuākana. Ko Maddie rātou ko Lillian, ko Violet ko Hazel āku irāmutu. Ko Stefanie Ellis tōku ingoa. I am family focused and live with my partner and two cats on a half-acre property which we also share with my three sisters, their partners and my four nieces. We all have our own dwellings and share the land in close knit, community style living. I love being outdoors and spending time with my family and friends walking in the bush or on the beach, sailing in the Marlborough Sounds. I enjoy playing team sports such as Netball and Volleyball. I have always had a passion for working with children, in my early teens I coached gymnastics and babysat regularly for family friends. In my late teens I watched my two older sisters as they worked towards education degrees knowing that I would follow that path too. I graduated with a degree in Primary Education in 2019 and worked as a New Entrant teacher. I am excited about my new role at Montessori Blenheim, as I can already see this is a whānau of supportive, compassionate kaiārahi who truly place the child at the centre and work together to uplift everyone around them. |
Stef Ellis
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Akane Yamomoto
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Kia Ora,
I’m Akane from Japan. I studied at Marlborough Girls' College as an international student in my teens and was attracted to the atmosphere, people and lifestyle here in New Zealand. After graduating from university in Japan, I worked at an international preschool in Osaka. Working with children has been something I truly enjoy and supporting them through Montessori philosophy is what I’ve always wanted to learn. I’m so excited for my new life here!! |
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