Teachers at Wellington Seventh-day Adventist School are intentional. They are experienced, passionate and vibrant. They make good use of instructional time and inspire students to want to learn and to do their best. Our teachers make students feel comfortable and help them experience a sense of belonging.

• Our goal is to see the clear outworking of God’s character in our students as they LEARN and GROW in GOD.
• Teaching methods are geared towards offering each child a quality education. Teachers participate in regular professional development and the school has participated in a number of government initiatives that support children to achieve in all aspects of their education, in particular, literacy and numeracy.
• Our teachers are the main link in communication between home and school. Prompt follow-up of any student difficulty or circumstance to ensure a lasting effective solution is vitally important to our staff. With teachers, parents and students working together in partnership, we are better able to ensure the best possible learning experiences for each child.

Principal

Mrs Karla Mitchell - Principal

Kia ora, Wellington Seventh-day Adventist School has a special place in my heart. I moved to Porirua from Northland to teach here in 2011. I spent a short time at another school as a Maths Support Teacher (MST) before returning to teach at Wellington SDA School. I began my role as principal in 2017 and am excited to be working with passionate Christian staff, a caring school community, and incredible students.
As a teaching principal, I spend the equivalent of two days each week working with students. This includes teaching in Room One while Mrs Ormsby does Reading Recovery, teaching in Room Three, taking small groups of students for extra maths lessons, and tutoring clarinet and trumpet.
All students and their families are valued at our school. We have high expectations and believe in working collaboratively with whānau and community to achieve our goals. Existing and prospective families are invited to visit at any time. We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Ngā mihi nui

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Teaching Staff

Mrs Evelyn Ormsby - Teacher Room 1

Hi, I teach in Room one which is New Entrant to Year 2. I have been teaching the Junior level for eleven years, seven of those years have been in a New Entrant class. I have a passion for teaching this level. Teaching young children is a task that cannot be taken lightly. It is full of challenges and responsibilities. But is also full of excitement,wonder and joy!
My goal for my classroom is to challenge and motivate my students and watch them grow to reach their full potential. Children start their learning at different levels, therefore group work is the key to having a successful class. I also believe in teaching content that is meaningful and interesting. We have fun discovering new things together. Children get to do a lot of ‘hands on’ activities from cooking to science experiments. It is important to me that I create a safe learning environment for all my students, as well as their parents and anyone else that enters my classroom. This rich and caring environment allows the students to have a greater respect and connection with each other. At Wellington Seventh-day Adventist school I have the privilege to integrate God through the curriculum. He is the centre of their learning. Children get to experience a spiritual content in Reading, Writing, Maths and Inquiry. Our Vision is Connected to God, Connected to Others and Connected Learners.

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Mrs Julie Simanu - Teacher Room 2

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Bula Vinaka, Namaste, Kia Orana, Mhoroi, Oli Otya, Ola, I was born in Christchurch, NZ. My husband Tinei (from Samoa) and I live in Porirua with our youngest two children. Our older four children have families of their own; two in Auckland and two here in Wellington. I completed a BSc (Physiology) and then worked in an office, married and had children. Sometime later I returned to Teacher's College to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and began work at WSDA Primary School. I have taught full time for seven years and relieving for five years. I enjoy reading and walking/tramping and am very glad to be back at a Christian school where I can openly share my love for Jesus. Guiding our students through their Primary School years  and seeing their confidence and faith grow is especially rewarding for me. 

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Mr Keith Rea - Teacher Room 3 

Hi, I am originally from Urenui, a seaside town in North Taranaki. I have spent a few years teaching in Sydney Australia, helping to get Hills Adventist College set up and running. Most of my teaching has been in Technology in Intermediate and High School level.  I am passionate about God and what He continues to do for us, and I want students to use the gifts He has given them to reach their potential. I look for creativity and innovation and encourage students to use higher level thinking where ever possible.  My hobbies are music, art, making things, growing things, and water sports like surfing and sailing. I am also interested in the idea of working collaboratively with parents to get the best possible outcomes from their children.
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Mrs Moira Ashdown - Teacher Room 3

Hi, I live in Tawa with my husband Peter. I have three grownup married children and five grandchildren. My youngest daughter came to Wellington SDA for Years 7 and 8 and has fond memories of those two years. I love being fit and active with walking, gym, snorkelling and exploring the world. Reading is also a passion. I have taught twice at the school starting in 1995 and ending in 2006 and now I am back again teaching part time, mainly the senior students, but I also relieve in the two other rooms. I truly value being able to include my relationship with Jesus and His Word in what I teach. I am experienced and strive to keep my pupils engaged, challenged and growing both in general knowledge and in their faith. Integrating as many subjects into one theme is often the way I plan and including an Art focus is something I enjoy. Students enjoy my lessons and tell me often that they are having fun. My teaching career has seen me teach from first year university to preschool - I have qualifications for all these levels. People ask which level I enjoy the most. My answer is the one I am teaching at that moment! The other thing I love about teaching is meeting 'old' pupils and finding out that in some way I have had a positive influence in their lives: there can be no greater privilege.

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 Coming Soon - Teacher Room 4

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Support Staff

Mrs Jean Abellana
​Office Manager

Mrs Raylee Richardson
​Librarian

Mrs Sarah Hurrell
​Teacher Aide

Miss Aiga Maiava
​Teacher Aide

Elisabeth Tupa'i.
Teacher Aide

Chaplain

 Pr Jake Ormsby

​It has been a privilege indeed to serve as chaplain since 2011. During this time, the staff, students, parents, the wider church family and local community have ensured that I remain connected with them through prayer, God Connections, working bees, school concerts, Bible studies and baptisms, yummy kaikai and visitations. I thank God for the energy to perform these wonderful tasks and survive the occasional basketball game, long ball sprint and jog around the school classrooms with the students.

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