Our People
The Leadership Team
Hannah Colbourn -Owner/AP
Hannah is passionate about nature-based learning, inquiry-led curriculum and creating environments where children are active participants in their own learning. She believes intentional teaching and meaningful relationships are the foundation for developing strong literacy and numeracy skills through play.
Hannah enjoys working alongside educators to build reflective teaching teams and create rich learning environments where children, families and educators continue to grow together.
Leah Ryan- Director
Leah is passionate about fostering a warm and welcoming environment, where children feel included, cared for and encouraged to forever be curious about the world around them.
Kristy Sumpton- Assistant Director
Kristy is passionate about building genuine relationships with children and their families and believes every child deserves to feel seen, heard and valued. She enjoys creating playful learning experiences that encourage children to explore, ask questions and develop confidence, while working in partnership with families to support each child’s individual journey.
As Assistant Director, Kristy is often one of the first friendly faces families meet when they join New Horizons Preschool. She is passionate about creating a warm, welcoming experience for every family and believes that exceptional customer service begins with genuine relationships, open communication and taking the time to truly get to know people. Outside of preschool, Kristy enjoys exploring Tasmania with her family in their camper trailer, along with their much-loved dog, Flossy. And if you’ve met Kristy before, you’ll know she’s always happy to stop for a chat!
Meredith Geeves- Educational Leader
Meredith’s journey into early childhood education grew from a deep curiosity about children, their development and the many ways they make sense of the world. She is a passionate advocate for the Reggio Emilia Educational Project and particularly values its principles of listening, children’s rights, the Hundred Languages, collaboration and participation. Meredith loves facilitating inquiry alongside both children and adults and, in her role as Educational Leader, enjoys mentoring educators to deepen their own understanding of inquiry and Reggio-inspired practice.
Outside of preschool, Meredith has a love of music and plays guitar. She particularly enjoys sharing the joy of music with children and incorporating it into their experiences at New Horizons.
The Syndessi Team
Jessica Lang- Class Leader
Coming from a family background of horticulturists Jess has a strong interest for plants and is keen to share this love of nature with the children, particularly with the use of our Tasmanian native flora as an educational tool. As a painter Jess is passionate about creating experiences that engage the children’s imagination and allow them to express themselves through the language of visual art. She aims to create strong relationships with the children that she works alongside and build a safe and comfortable environment for the children whilst meeting their individual needs.
Kayla Wolfe- Class Leader
Kayla is passionate about inquiry-based learning and enjoys working alongside children as they explore ideas that are meaningful to them. She loves supporting children to develop their independence, resilience and creativity, believing that every child should feel confident to express themselves and embrace new challenges.
Outside of preschool, Kayla enjoys bushwalking, running, dancing and spending time exploring Tasmania’s natural environment. She loves sharing her appreciation for the outdoors with children and is excited to continue growing as a Reggio-inspired educator at New Horizons Preschool.
Lhamu Shrpa
Lhamu is passionate about building warm, trusting relationships with children and creating environments where every child feels safe, confident and valued. She particularly enjoys supporting children’s learning through play, outdoor experiences and opportunities that celebrate each child’s individual interests, creativity and sense of belonging.
Originally from Nepal, Lhamu enjoys sharing her culture while learning about the diverse backgrounds of the children and families within the New Horizons community. She values the opportunity to build genuine connections and celebrate the richness that different cultures bring to preschool life.
Imogen Atwell
Imogen particularly loves hearing children’s ideas and seeing the imaginative ways they interpret and make sense of the world. She believes learning is reciprocal and values everything children teach her, too. With a particular passion for artistic expression, Imogen enjoys supporting children to communicate their individuality and ideas through art in all its different forms and mediums.
Alongside her early childhood studies, Imogen is completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Tasmania. Outside of preschool, she has a strong interest in psychology, literature and art.
Evie Amos
The Paizo Team
Kym Donaldson – Class Leader
Kym’s journey into early childhood education began while living in Ireland, where she made the decision to leave the legal sector in search of a career that made a meaningful contribution to the community. Discovering Montessori education sparked a passion for supporting young children’s learning and development that has continued ever since. She is particularly passionate about nurturing children’s social and emotional development, fostering independence and confidence, and creating opportunities for children to connect with nature and their wider community through excursions and outdoor experiences.
Outside of preschool, Kym enjoys hiking, kayaking, cooking, gardening, crochet, photography and tackling DIY projects. She also spends plenty of time entertaining her much-loved cat.
Aryani (Rini) Sulistyorini -Class Leader
Rini’s passion for early childhood education grew from the strong sense of community she experienced while raising her children within Melbourne’s Indonesian community. She believes every child has the right to high-quality learning experiences where they feel a genuine sense of belonging and are valued for who they are. She is particularly passionate about inquiry, creativity, social and emotional development, and building strong partnerships with families.
Outside of preschool, Rini enjoys spending time with her two children, reading and cooking for family and friends. English is her third language, and she values the opportunity to connect with families from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Annie Newman
Growing up in rural Tasmania, Annie has developed an eager desire to lead a creative and thoughtful life. Through respect, listening and support, Annie believes that children can be given the environment needed to gain further understanding of their true selves and their capabilities.
The Erevna Team
Theresa Fiotakis -Class Leader
Passionate about inquiry-based learning, Theresa enjoys creating opportunities for children to explore, question and investigate the world around them. She values building strong relationships with children, families and the wider community, and has a particular interest in educational documentation as a way of making children’s thinking and learning visible.
Proud of her Greek heritage, Theresa enjoys staying active through running, going to the gym and spending time outdoors. She also loves travelling, watching soccer and spending time with family and friends.
Blair Zhang- Class Leader
Blair believes children are capable and competent learners who thrive when they feel safe, valued and engaged in meaningful experiences. She is passionate about nature play, outdoor learning and music, creating opportunities for children to explore, collaborate and develop their curiosity through play and inquiry.
Originally from China, Blair studied vocal music and performance for seven years before beginning her career in early childhood education. She speaks both English and Mandarin and enjoys hiking, running and sharing her love of music with children.
Ellie Ferguson
Ellie is passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and their families and creating warm, nurturing environments where every child feels safe, valued and confident to explore. She enjoys supporting children’s wellbeing through play-based learning, creativity and opportunities to connect with nature and the outdoors.
Outside of preschool, Ellie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Whether it’s relaxing on Bruny Island, spending time at the beach, catching up with friends or enjoying good food together, family is at the heart of what she loves most.
Rabin Karki
Growing up as the eldest in a large family, Rabin spent much of his childhood caring for his younger cousins and sister. His relationship with a cousin who has autism inspired his passion for early childhood education and strengthened his belief that every child learns in their own unique way. He enjoys supporting children to build friendships, develop confidence and learn through play, with a particular interest in outdoor learning and creating inclusive environments where every child feels they belong.
Outside of preschool, Rabin enjoys playing soccer and spending time outdoors. He speaks Nepali, Hindi and English, and values the opportunity to connect with families from a range of cultural backgrounds.
The Omilea Team
Sarah Brumby- Class Leader/ Kinder Teacher
Sarah is passionate about recognising and building on each child’s unique strengths, interests and ways of expressing themselves. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Educational Project, she enjoys creating environments where children can explore ideas, communicate in many different ways and take an active role in their own learning.
Outside of preschool, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family on their small farm, caring for their miniature goats and exploring Tasmania with her husband and two children.
Olivia Legge- Class Leader
Olivia is passionate about the pedagogy of listening and strongly values children’s voices, ideas and opinions. She views children as capable and competent learners with the right to actively participate in their own learning and values creating environments where they have genuine opportunities to make choices, explore and develop their independence.
Having grown up on a farm in rural Tasmania, Olivia brings a deep connection to nature and the outdoors to her teaching. She is particularly passionate about bush programs, outdoor learning and risky play, recognising the important role these experiences have in developing children’s confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills and physical capabilities.
Outside of preschool, Olivia enjoys returning to her family farm on weekends, travelling and spending time with friends and family.
Emily Frouws
Inspired by children’s curiosity and unique perspectives, Emily believes there is as much to learn from children as there is to teach them. She often says that working with children makes her a better person every day. As a relational educator, she values building strong connections with children and supporting them to explore their own interests, ideas and strengths. She is particularly passionate about nature-based learning, risky play and creating opportunities for children to investigate the world around them through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Outside of preschool, Emily enjoys hiking, camping and spending time in nature. She also has a passion for creative pursuits, including film photography, architecture and design.
Maggie Li
Maggie has more than 10 years working experience as an Early Childhood educator . She is now undertaking Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).
Maggie is excited to build respectful relationships with the children, believing in children’s capacity. She believes children are competent, capable and curious. Maggie is passionate about Reggio Emilia approach.
Maggie is excited about the next stage of her educational journey and future in teaching and working alongside with children.
The Cover Team
Tahlia Codyre
Tahlia loves building strong, trusting relationships with children and creating a space where they feel safe, seen and confident to be themselves. She particularly enjoys supporting children’s wellbeing, encouraging creativity and self-expression, and spending time outdoors engaging in nature play. Children’s endless curiosity and genuine joy are what continue to inspire her as she grows as an educator
Outside of preschool, Tahlia is a keen netballer, playing twice a week as well as coaching both Under 9 and Under 13 teams.
Pearl Lark
Passionate about creating warm, nurturing learning environments, Pearl enjoys supporting children’s curiosity through outdoor experiences, creativity and play. She values building genuine relationships with children and families and believes every child deserves to feel respected, heard and supported to learn at their own pace.
Outside of preschool, Pearl enjoys breeding backyard chickens and hatching chicks, often sharing this interest with children to inspire conversations about caring for animals and the natural world. She also speaks English, Malay, Indonesian, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien, allowing her to connect with families from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Rahel Purnama
Rahel enjoys building positive relationships with children and supporting them as they grow in confidence, independence and curiosity. She loves being part of children’s learning journeys and particularly enjoys joining them in creative experiences, outdoor play and learning through play.
Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, Rahel speaks both Indonesian and English and enjoys sharing her culture while learning about the diverse backgrounds of the children and families within the New Horizons community. Outside of preschool, she enjoys cooking and gardening.
Lhamu Sherpa
Lhamu is passionate about building warm, trusting relationships with children and creating environments where every child feels safe, confident and valued. She particularly enjoys supporting children’s learning through play, outdoor experiences and opportunities that celebrate each child’s individual interests, creativity and sense of belonging.
Originally from Nepal, Lhamu enjoys sharing her culture while learning about the diverse backgrounds of the children and families within the New Horizons community. She values the opportunity to build genuine connections and celebrate the richness that different cultures bring to preschool life.
Kripa Gurung
Kripa is passionate about building meaningful relationships with children through play. She believes that when children feel secure, connected and supported, they develop the confidence to explore their ideas, express their creativity and discover more about the world around them. She particularly values the opportunity to guide and support children during these important early years.
Originally from Nepal, Kripa is a proud member of the Gurung community and loves sharing her culture with others. A self-described foodie, she particularly enjoys making and eating traditional Nepali momo and exploring different cultures through their food. She’s also a proud BTS ARMY member and is always happy to meet a fellow K-pop fan!
Chelsea Ryan
Chelsea has been inspired and provoked by the many challenges that the Reggio Emilia Educational Project offers to educators. She is passionate about fostering children’s abilities to become active and participatory citizens, both now and for the future. Chelsea places great significance on the theory of The Hundred Languages and is committed to providing a range of experiences and opportunities for children to express their voices and theories in a multiplicity of ways.