Introducing our 2016 Year One teacher, Leah Coles.

Leah is the friendly face you will see in the Year One Class.  The new entrants are always busy with their reading, writing and maths as well as creating awesome art and time for developmental play.  Leah is originally from Australia where she previously taught at Melrose Park Public School in Sydney.   Leah is experienced with this age group and enjoys interacting, teaching, guiding and having fun with our younger students of the school. 

Introducing our 2016 Year 2 teacher - Amanda Lai

Amanda Lal arrived in Samoa at the start of 2016.  She enjoys arts, crafts and sports. She is forever making silly jokes that her kids think are funny. Amanda has taught in Hamilton NZ and was ready for a new change and Samoa was just that! Teaching is her passion and she strives to be the best and most outgoing teacher she can be. Her classroom is a well set out and open space where a lot of good learning happens. She believes that children learn best together. After all, it takes a village to raise a child.  

Maria Doyle comes to town!

Maria Doyle (front row right) with the teachers at VBS.

The staff at VBS were lucky enough to have professional development with the talented Maria Doyle from Australia.  Maria Doyle was in Samoa for just a few weeks but in that time she gave her time to help our teachers become better teachers.  You can read more about this on Maria’s website.  

Click here for more on Maria Doyle

Thank you Maria for the fun session where the teachers became students!  

Introducing our Year 3 Teacher, Imeleta Franke

Imeleta arrived at VBS half way during 2015 and took over the year 3 class.

Her students describe her as kind and helpful.  A teacher who is always preparing work in the weekend she is dedicated to her job and the students. 

Imeleta is from the village Palisi but has spent many years in Missouri, USA.  She previously taught at West Plaines Elementary School.  Imeleta loves teaching as she just loves children and watching them succeed.

Imeleta is enjoying being back in Samoa after 24 years away.  Her favourite part of being back is spending time with her two young grandchildren.

Introducing our Year 1 Teacher, Rebecca Young 2015

If you have a child who is just starting at Vaiala Beach School you can be rest assured they are going to be in very good hands with Rebecca in charge.

Her classroom space is a reflection of the dedication Rebecca has for these young students as the walls are filled with eye catching art and activities set up in all corners.  You only have to watch the students interact with Rebecca to see how much they love her as she keeps them all busy with learning.

The students in her class say she is calm and clever and always happy and friendly.

Rebecca arrived at VBS in 2014 from Auckland, New Zealand, where she completed her teaching training.  She is up to date with the latest curriculum knowledge and is constantly upskilling herself with Professional Development readings and internet research connected to anything educational.

She enjoys visiting the beach and has even had the chance to swim with a pod of dolphins in Samoa.

Introducing our Preschool Teacher Josefina Suafa 2015

When you hear the children singing along at preschool you know their dedicated teacher Josefina (Fina) is in the room.  She is a creative teacher who is always extending the children’s learning through crafts and arts.  She likes to sing and play the guitar.  An experienced teacher she has been teaching for over 9 years.  She has been at Vaiala for the last three years but previously worked in Auckland and the Hawkes Bay in New Zealand.  She trained at the Auckland University .  Fina is a fully qualified registered New Zealand Early Childhood Teacher.  

Introducing our Year 7 and 8 Teacher, Annie Meredith

Annie’s students say that she likes to give a lot of work and that she is always coming up with new and fun ways to learn.  She is enthusiastic and a unique teacher.

Annie arrived at VBS at the start of 2015 and was impressed with how well resourced the school was.  She was also impressed with the students who are hardworking and committed to their education.  She completed her teacher training in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has taught in England but has spent most of her time teaching in her home town of Gisborne.

Her father in law is from Samoa so she is enjoying meeting family and learning more about the culture.  

Annie is lucky enough to be married to a chef so she is able to enjoy yummy dinners every night!  She has two daughters who attend VBS. 

Introducing our Year 4 Teacher, Tala Malaki.

Tala is an experienced teacher.  She previously taught at Trentham Primary and Wilford Primary, both in the Wellington region.

Tala is enjoying her time in Sāmoa.  She is from the village Mulifanua.

The Year 4 students in Tala’s class were asked to describe her.  They all agreed that if they only had three words to describe her it would be funny, strict and caring.  The students said she likes teaching and is comfortable around kids.

According to the students in her class these are the important things you should know about her;

1.     She is strict but fun.

2.    She is smart.

3.    The art has to be perfect in her class.

4.    She is a big kid herself!

Vaiala Beach School is lucky to have such an experienced caring teacher.

Introducing our Year 5 Teacher Naretta Seiuli

She is committed to her job, strict but fair and appreciated by the children in her class.  This is how the year 5 students described their teacher Naretta.

It is great to have Naretta at the school especially with her knowledge on all things Samoan!  Several international students like to have extra tutorials with Naretta after school to learn the Samoan Language.  She helps the whole school with our Samoan Singing and keeping us in tune for the national anthem!

Naretta is from the village of Malie.  Before VBS she spent five years teaching in government schools.   She graduated from the National University of Samoa and also APTC. 

She is the proud mother of three children.  

Introducing our Year 6 Teacher, Teresia Naivukedrau

An encouraging teacher.  A serious teacher. A hard working teacher. She is like our Mums because she cares about us.  This is just some of the ways Teresia is described by her year 6 students.

Teresia arrived at VBS in 2013 from her home country of Fiji.  She is the mother of three adult sons and one daughter.  Her daughter is in Samoa with her and attending Samoa College. 

Teresia enjoys the small class numbers that VBS offers which is much more beneficial to the students.  Her students are always working hard and keeping up with Teresia’s high expectations of them. When you walk past room 6 it is likely you will see concentrating on their lessons.  This is due to the environment Teresia has created.  She likes to get the very best out of all of the students and encourages them all to give 100%.