Barbara Alaalatoa

Barbara Alaalatoa's picture

Principal

barbaraa@sylviapark.school.nz

Barbara ALA'ALATOA
Principal

1. How long have you been a teacher?

My first teaching job was in 1983 - you can work out the rest for yourselves!

2. What are your interests?

Sounds like a bit of a cliche but I love walking, especially around Mangere Bridge and spending time with my friends and family.

3. What do you like to do when you're not teaching, planning, marking or at school?

Playing with my mokopuna Jaeda. She keeps me on my toes and doing things I couldn't or wouldn't do publicly - like fairy dancing!

4. What was your favourite subject at High School? Why?

My favourite subject was Art History...learning about the world through images.

5. What is your favourite food / dish? Why?

Chicken and Vermicelli noodles at Sam Woo's, Chop Suey, taro in coconut cream and palusami straight from the umu!

6. What is your favourite travel destination? Why?

Samoa - step off the plane and everything just goes slower!

7. What are your goals for 2011?

2000 and Heaven is the Year of SPS. New classrooms, new colour, new ways of learning and lots of other things we haven't even dreamed of yet.

8. Anything else you would like to add?

Of all the jobs I've ever had, I love this one the most and the reason is so obvious - great kids, great staff and a wonderful community.
 

Recent Blogs

Camp Lakewood Lodge 2011
6 Nov 2011 - 5:40pm

 Well, another amazing week has been spent at camp.  This year we took 40 of our wonderful students to participate in a full outdoor education programme at Lakewood Lodge in Glen Murray.  It is a real opportunity to see our students use their competencies in a context beyond school. They managed themselves with maturity and persistence as well as caring for the other students they were working alongside.  

It our time to shine - and we shone!
12 Oct 2011 - 1:13pm

 They say that time flies when you having fun and that'll be why Term 3 flew by!  The last week, often a time where schools are winding down, was an action packed time where our students launched 'Travel Week' at the beginning of the week and proceeded to spend two days travelling the world!  These two days were followed by our students showcasing their innovations on traditional performances from countries they have been stuyding over the term.

Welcome to 2011 where what you put in, is what you get out!
14 Feb 2011 - 3:52pm

2011 has started with a lot of energy and enthusiasm from staff and students alike. We are focusing this term on, 'Crossing the Finish Line - How do I get there?'.  We want our students to be excellent planners, who have clear goals that they want to achieve.  We also want them to be the sort of people that don't give up part way and do whatever they have to do to 'cross the finish line'.  They will be practising this when they complete their triathlon at the end of this term. 

Term Three ends with a bang!
26 Sep 2010 - 7:04pm

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa!

Sylvia Park Children’s Community Dental Centre
12 Sep 2010 - 8:10pm

 On Friday we officially opened the ‘Sylvia Park Children’s Community Dental Centre’.  It was quite an occasion with representatives of the Auckland District Health Board, the Associate Minister of Health the Honorable Peter Dunne and many other interested parties.  Students from Te Puna Waiora, our Maori bilingual unit, led the opening with a beautiful powhiri that impressed our visitors.