Who are Kidz Inc
We know that children are unique individuals who have the capacity to be creative, innovative and want to participate in life.
We provide the talent, tools and resources for them to explore and discover how they will do this. Kidz Inc programmes place the student at the centre of their learning situation. They will learn when they need to learn (just-in-time), and act when they need to act. This model of learning keeps them interested and focused on what they really want to do...make things and have fun doing it!
The following staff are who make Kidz Inc kids think!
Andrew Bowen
I live with my wife Anne and three children Madelief, Jasmijn and Matai, in North East Valley, Dunedin. We have lived here in Dunedin since 2000 and love its cultural and environmental surroundings, it is a good place to raise a family with great education options.I have a teaching degree from Newcastle University, Australia in the area of Technology. I started Kidz Inc back in April 2004 and I am responsible for all that happens within the programme.
I like movies, being creative with my hands, building and doing things with my children. I value friendship, family and the community, and work at being a good role model. I am a trustee on the Dunedin Environment Centre Trust, on the board of governance for the North East Valley Community Development Project, and President of the Northern Junior Association Football Club. Building good communities, good friends, good colleagues and good learning environments makes for a good life and I enjoy the pleasure of making it work.
Andrew Wills
I am a dad, partner, primary teacher, designer and kitchen philosopher. I like being in nature, designing and construction, working in multimedia, art and sculpture. I value a green planet, cooperation, a happy family and creativity. One of my goals is to develop engaging science and technology-based projects and programmes at primary school level. What I do @ Kidz Inc includes technology activities, constructing toys, musical instruments and a symphony of activities and games. I have a teaching degree in Primary Education from the DCE and have been working at Kidz Inc since 2004.Hayden Parsons
Hi, I'm Hayden and I've been on the Kidz Inc team for quite a few years now and loving every minutes of it. At Kidz Inc you'll find me in the computer room, surrounded by lots of computers, cameras, lego and other gadgets that we use to make our own movies and animations. Over the years I have seen some really amazing movies made by the kids, I just love the imagination and keeness kids bring to the movie making programme. We have also recently started using programs like Comic Life, Art Rage and Lego designer in some very interesting ways and soon we will be making our own online games!When I'm not at Kidz Inc I am a teacher in schools and at University. When I'm not teaching I enjoy surfing - which is my life, as well as cooking and spending time with my family.
Anne Bowen
I teach music in several primary schools around Dunedin. My stationwagon is loaded up with ukuleles and plastic stackable drumbuckets and my classes are noisy, with rhythm and song mostly. I also play fiddle in the Catgut and Steel Celtic Rock Band - not bad for a Dutch Kiwi - and I make up 50% of the story telling duo KatAnnaFiddle - touring schools near you now!At the Kidz Inc Holiday Programme I will play any request the children have from constructing pirate ships out of chairs to exploring Garageband on the computers. My favourite things are chocolate chip muffins and the country loop over and over.
Kaitrin McMullan
Hi. I am a professional storyteller (the other 49% of Kat Anna Fiddle!), mother of 4 children and 1000 puppets, and I am also trained as an early childhood teacher. I enjoy being part of the Kids Inc team and working with a bunch of creative and likeable people, both adults AND the children. Holiday programmes are about having a great holiday, and I really like the programmes flexibility and responsiveness to the kids, that Kids Inc has to offer. My interests include stories, puppets, music, string games, making stuff...and hanging out with friends which is easy at Kids Inc! Favourite colour purple, lucky number 11 and current obsession is learning te reo (& Samoan). Hei kōnei ra!
Filipa (the Fairy) Crofskey
My name is Filipa, my husband Jay and I live in a remote part of Waitati. We join together in most areas of our work and play. I like my business flipside4fun which has fun stuff that I like such as painting murals, face painting, costume design and sewing, and performance. I value working with children. My goals are to develop my interests to a professional level and foster my creativity. What I do @ Kidz Inc includes performing circo arts, magic and teaching children these skills so they can be part of the show.Jay (the Juggler) Crofskey
I am a juggler, magician with over 8 years of performance experience. I am a member of the Otago Magic Circle, and working as a magician attend and perform at birthday parties, festivals and street performance. I like Qi-Gong, gardening, magic, developing new circus skills and working with Filipa developing innovative ways to develop these children. I value my natural affinity with children. I encouraging their imagination and as a role model they too will learn to develop courage, acquire skills to get the most out of life. My goals are to continue developing my show with Filipa, improving our workshops, my life through Qi-Gong practice. And to create a simple, fun and enjoyable life. What I do @ Kidz Inc includes teaching juggling, balloon sculpture and ciro-arts. Other work I do includes festivals and schools. We run the Kidzone for the Canaan Downs Festival. I enjoy my work at Kidz Inc as a way to work with children and develop new material.