We’re delighted to welcome Melanie Elliott to Cavalli College as part of our Health and Wellbeing team. With over two decades of experience in care and education, Melanie brings both deep expertise and a compassionate approach to supporting learners. We sat down with her to learn more about her journey and what inspires her in this important mahi.
Could you share a little about your professional background and what led you to a career in health and education?
My journey began about 22 years ago when we moved to the UK and I became a full-time carer for my husband’s grandparents. Not long after our arrival, my husband’s grandfather fell ill with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which left him paralysed from the waist down. Having lost his independence, I supported him as his sole carer until his passing, after which I continued caring for his nan. These experiences deeply shaped me and sparked my passion for health and wellbeing.
When I later moved to New Zealand, I completed Levels 2–4 qualifications, specialising in Dementia and Palliative Care in Aged Care. After achieving my Level 4, I began part-time assessing for Healthcare NZ and Geneva Healthcare before moving into a full-time teaching and development role, where I supported healthcare workers in gaining their own qualifications.
What aspects of this work have you found most rewarding?
Supporting learners to achieve their qualifications is incredibly rewarding. Watching them reach their goals and grow in confidence is what drives me.
What attracted you to join Cavalli College, and what are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Cavalli College’s values align closely with my own. I believe in supporting learners with empathy, love, and kindness. I’m excited to bring my skills and experience here to help learners achieve their goals and to encourage them to be the best they can be.
What advice would you offer to students beginning their studies in Health and Wellbeing?
Ask lots of questions, don’t be afraid, and stay open. That’s how you learn and grow.
How do you approach building strong, positive relationships with your learners?
Building relationships takes time. It’s about being open, creating a safe space, and truly listening. Understanding the barriers learners face and working with them respectfully and without judgment to overcome those challenges is essential.
If you were to describe your teaching style in three words, what would they be?
Open, understanding, and supportive.
What excites you most about supporting the next generation of Health and Wellbeing professionals?
I have a lot of experience and knowledge to share, and being able to help shape new minds, then watch learners grow into confident, capable healthcare professionals is incredibly rewarding.
Outside of your professional work, what is something you enjoy that colleagues or students may be interested in knowing?
I’m a proud grandmother, a dedicated “plant lady” with about 100 houseplants, and I love a good dress-up dinner party!
We’re thrilled to have Melanie join the Cavalli College whānau. Her passion, warmth, and wealth of experience will no doubt inspire and support our Health and Wellbeing learners on their journey.
Ready to start or advance your Health and Wellbeing studies with Mel and Cavalli College, apply online today.