Ally Todd – MA, PGCE, BA (Hons)
Ally Todd is a business owner and has taught swimming for the past 26 years from Pre-school to International competition. Ally has presented at swimming teaching and coaching conferences in England, USA and Australia, she spent 4 years working for Swimming New Zealand as the National Education Manager, has managed swimming pools for Wellington City Council and has taught first aid for St John. Ally is a trained primary school teacher.
Ally develops the programme at Ally Todd swimming in consultation with the staff and in line with best practice pedagogy. Teach actions developing student learning is the forefront of all staff training, weekly updates, termly training and block courses are organized for all staff.
Ally Todd epitomizes energy, enthusiasm and continuous improvement. Your children could not be in better hands. – Olympic Coach, Clive Rushton
Sandra Holden – B Ph Ed, Dip T
Sandra is a business owner in Ally Todd Swimming and has been involved in swimming for 30 years. Sandra started out teaching swimming for Johnsonville Flippers and taught all levels for 6 years. While teaching swimming Sandra became the Event Manager for Lotto Take the Plunge, a learn to swim event held at 200 pools around the country. 11,000 participants had lessons for 2 weeks in January each year.
Sandra then moved to the competitive side of swimming and became the Event Manager for Swimming New Zealand, running the national and international competitions. Sandra has a tertiary qualification in Physical Education. Sandra has always been involved in water sports and is loving being in the pool teaching at Ally Todd Swimming.
Sandra has a passion for the introductory levels and regularly shares her ideas for recognizing “readiness” to ensure confidence and accelerated improvements at every level. Sandra also looks after the financial aspects of the business.
Dannielle Rule
Hey guys, I’m Dannielle and I have been working here at Ally Todd for over 4 years now, when I was younger I learnt to swim here too and have now gone on to become a competitive swimmer under Porirua City Aquatics.
My proudest swimming achievement so far was making an Open C Final in 200 Butterfly at the recent NZ Short Course Nationals. It’s really rewarding to make it to nationals in lots of events after years of only qualifying in an event or two and to make a final too was very special! My relay team also placed 8th in the country in the women’s 4 x 50 freestyle which was pretty cool too!
I am currently going into my third year of studying at Victoria University, working towards a Bachelor of Science with a double major in actuarial science and accounting and a minor in finance. I love working at Ally Todd SWIMMING, getting to pass on my swimming knowledge and love for the sport as well as making connections with the kids is very rewarding. I also love coming up with new and fun ways to teach different skills. A fun fact about me is I love reading books and watching formula 1!
Amber Pickard
Hi, I’m Amber. I’ve worked at Ally Todd Swimming for around 2 and a half years, and learnt to swim here when I was younger. I’m a recent college graduate, and I have decided not to go to university at this stage.
My absolute favourite thing to do is travel and explore the various cultures and environments of our wonderful world, I have so far travelled to 18 countries! I’m not sure what the future for me looks like at this point, though I am excited to see where the next steps take me.
My favourite part of teaching at Ally Todd is seeing the determination and progress every child makes. I love the excitement on each child’s face when they achieve a goal they have been working towards! One fun fact about me is that I love to write!
Ayden St Just
Hi, my name is Ayden, I have been working at Ally Todd for around 3 and a bit years. When I was younger, Ally and Sandra also used to teach me how to swim.
A moment I’m proud of is that last year my school dance team competed and came 2nd in the Wellington region and 5th out of New Zealand for our category. In the future I would love to be a clinical psychologist and help people to get better. To do this I am going to Vic uni this year to study psychology.
I enjoy teaching swimming because I love seeing the kids with big smiles on their faces when they accomplish something hard. A fun fact about me is that I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, then tweaking them to work for me.
Jess Rule
Kia ora, I’m Jess! I’ve been working at Ally Todd Swimming for about three years now, and I actually learned to swim here too and finished the whole program.
Outside of the pool I love dancing, and I got 3rd in Lyrical Troupes at Dance NZ Made Nationals which is the school dance nationals. I’m currently student leader of dance at Aotea College. I’m planning to study a Bachelor of Counselling and Addiction in 2027.
I really enjoy teaching because it’s awesome seeing kids improve and have fun in the water. I love teaching all levels from toddler turtles to the Swim Star.
Fun fact: I love going to the gym and dancing
Joe Reiher
Hey, I’m Joe! I’ve been working at Ally Todd Swimming for a couple of months now. I actually learned to swim here myself and went through all the levels, I am now a competitive swimmer at Porirua City Aquatics
My biggest achievement so far is winning gold at Swimming Nationals in the 17–18 age group for the 100m and 200m breaststroke. I have also placed 2nd in the country in the 100m Breaststroke! I started racing at Nationals when I was 13 and have won 20 national medals in total since then across the three breaststroke distances. It’s pretty cool to come back and teach at the place where my love for swimming and breaststroke started! In the future I’m considering becoming a sports physio but haven’t completely decided yet
My favorite part about teaching swimming is seeing the kids improve every lesson. It’s really cool watching them get better each week and getting to pass on my swimming knowledge and love for the sport. Fun fact: I like to surf!
Evie Haughton
Hi, I’m Evie! I’ve been working at Ally Todd Swimming for four years, I actually started in Year 9. I also learned to swim here myself from age 5 to 10.
Outside the pool, I’m really proud of being able to represent Wellington in volleyball, both indoor and outdoor. In the future, I’m planning to pursue a career in medicine, with a special interest in emergency medicine and cardiology.
What I love about teaching is being able to share my love of swimming, help kids learn valuable life skills, and see the progress they make over time. Fun fact, I love spending time outdoors and enjoy running, hiking, and walking my dog!
Ashley Jackson
Hi, I’m Ashley! I joined Ally Todd Swimming in July 2024 and actually learned to swim here when I was younger.
Outside of swimming, I’m involved in St John Youth, where I won Champion Region in 2025 and was selected as the 2026 District Cadet of the Year.
I love teaching because it’s so rewarding seeing swimmers improve over the term and celebrating their successes. I’m not totally sure what I want to do in the future yet, but I’m planning on going travelling after college. Fun fact — I also play netball!
Sophie Schwalger
Hi, I’m Sophie! I joined Ally Todd Swimming in Term 3 of 2024, but I’ve been connected to the pool for a long time — I learned to swim here and kept swimming throughout primary school.
I’m currently studying at Aotea College, where I was Junior Chair and a Junior Student Leader in 2025, and I achieved excellence in all my subjects. In the future, I hope to study at Victoria University.
I love being part of a swimmer’s learning journey and seeing them improve their skills while having fun in the water! Fun fact — I enjoy volunteering at my church’s kids program.
Bella Cross
Hi, I’m Bella! I’m 15 years old and a Year 11 student at Aotea College. I’ve been working at Ally Todd Swimming for just under two years now and I absolutely love it!
Since starting at Ally Todd, my confidence has skyrocketed and it’s helped me grow so much as a person. I started playing netball in Year 7 and have been in the top team ever since. After I finish school, I’m hoping to head to UC to study teaching. Working at Ally Todd is such a great learning environment and has really helped prepare me for that goal.
Indie Spalding
Hey, I’m Indie! I’ve been working at Ally Todd Swimming for about two years now.
I’m a competitive swimmer and also coach and compete in surf lifesaving through Titahi Bay Surf Lifesaving club. One of my proudest achievements is placing 4th in the 50 and 100 backstroke events at Nationals! . In the future, I want to take my swimming to the next level, but I’m also keen on becoming a firefighter.
I really enjoy being able to use what I’ve learned from my own swimming to help kids learn, improve, and grow in the sport. Fun fact — I love the beach and I’m there around three times a week!
Flo Locke-Fearon
Hey I’m Flo, I joined Ally Todd swimming in October 2025 and Ally Todd was my first swim school when I was younger and I actually completed all the Levels.
Outside of the pool I am a peer supporter at Aotea College and I love playing hockey.
I really enjoy working with swimmers because I love making an enjoyable experience and helping them feel good about their Swimming! I am not quite sure what I would like to do in the future other than move to Australia and travel a lot. A fun fact about me is I love to spend time at the beach.
Emily Aubrey
Hi, I’m Emily! I joined Ally Todd Swimming in January 2025, but my journey here started long before that — I first learned to swim at Ally Todd when I was 5, beginning at the Confidence level and finishing all the levels by the end of Term 3 2024 at age 13.
Outside the pool, I’ve been doing Highland Dancing since I was 4, and at the 2025 NZ Highland Dancing Championships in Christchurch I won my first NZ title in the Highland Reel Under 16 and placed 4th overall in the Under 16s for New Zealand! In the future, I’d love to learn more about exercise and how everyone’s body works, and I’m also interested in exploring a Business pathway focused on money and the economy.
I love teaching because it’s so special seeing children learn, improve, and get excited when something finally clicks. Watching swimmers grow to love being in the water makes teaching incredibly rewarding. Fun fact: I paint rock art for the Aotea Fairy Walk!
Lucas McKee
Hi, I’m Lucas! I started teaching at Ally Todd at the beginning of 2026, I also took lessons here when I was younger, and I progressed to the end of the swimming program.
Outside of Swimming, I play a lot of volleyball, not only for school but for club as well. Earlier in March 2026 I helped my school team win the Junior Northern Division 1 volleyball.
I love teaching at Ally Todd because I get to help all the swimmers improve every lesson. I don’t really know what I want to do after I finish school, but I’ll definitely keep playing volleyball!
Taha Bairaqdar
Hey, I’m Taha and I’ve been teaching at Ally Todd Swimming since February 2026.
I’m a pretty invested in volleyball as a player, coach and ref. I’m pretty proud of being chosen as one of the top referees at Nationals this year where I refereed some important games. Right now, I’m working towards my National referee qualification.
As of right now, I’m thinking about studying mechanical engineering at Canterbury University in the future.
The biggest thing I enjoy about teaching at Ally Todd is seeing swimmers improve while being excited and having fun.
One fun fact about me is that a horned goat rammed into me as a kid
Matilda Presling
Hi, I’m Matilda. I’ve just started in this role and enjoying the training.
I’m currently studying at high school and I want to pursue zoology, possibly at university, as well as continue my acting career.
I’m really proud of how far I’ve come in school and how my grades are much higher than I thought they would be. It’s shown me that hard work pays off.
What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing the children progress, even if it’s only through one lesson. It’s really amazing to see them learn and improve.
A fun fact about me is that I love free diving with my dad off his boat and swimming with stingrays.
Estella Haughton
Hi, I’m Estella . I’ve just started in this role.
I did the whole Ally Todd swimming course and really enjoyed it.
I’m really proud of winning my school cross country in Years 7 and 8. I also play a lot of sports like netball and volleyball, and I’m proud of how well my teams are going.
In the future, I’m interested in studying physio as well as law when I go to university.
What I enjoy most about teaching swimming is seeing amazing improvement throughout the term while also letting the kids have fun in a safe swimming environment.
A fun fact about me is that I like to be active and play lots of sports outside of school and work.
Isabelle Aubrey
Hi, I’m Isabelle! I have just started teaching at Ally Todd Swimming, and I learnt to swim here at Ally Todd, finishing all the levels!
Outside of swimming, I am involved in many sports, but I especially love doing Highland Dancing. At Nationals this year (2026) I got 10th overall in the whole country for my age group!
I’m not quite sure what I want to do in the future yet, but I definitely would like to have a job that helps people in some way. I’m really excited to start teaching at Ally Todd and I look forward to seeing how much each swimmer improves and develops on their swimming journey!
One fun fact about me is that hurdles is my favourite and best event for Athletics!