Taking reins of the school for the 2014-2015 academic year, which formally commences in August, Mr Teteina replaces Dennis MacKinnon who has retired after two years in Phuket to culminate more than two decades of international education leadership experience.
Leading up to the appointment, Mr Teteina was previously the Deputy Head and Primary School Principal, positions which are currently being recruited for.
“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead Phuket International Academy in its next stage of development,” he said.
“With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, allowing our students to graduate [and continue on] to some of the finest universities in the world; the opening of our Boarding facility and the Elite Junior Sport Academies in Tennis, Swimming and Triathlon, we have many things to be excited about in 2014-2015.
“However, it will be our ongoing commitment to the development of each individual child, whether they are 18 months or 18 years old that sets us apart from the rest. We welcome people to come and visit us to learn more about our comprehensive academic programmes.
Mr Teteina has a Masters in Education Administration (Massey University, New Zealand) and a also Bachelor of Education (Victoria University, also in New Zealand).
Originally from New Zealand, Mr Teteina was most recently Head of School at the International School Bogor, Indonesia (an IB World School) for three years, where he was successful in increasing school enrollment to the highest level in its 45-year history.
Previously, he has held a number of positions in Bali International School, Indonesia, over a nine-year period (another IB World School), and Brent International School Subic, Philippines (an IB DP school).
Mr Teteina has acted as the Accreditation Coordinator in two schools, guiding them successfully through both the Council of International Schools and Western Academy of Schools and Colleges accreditation.
Over his 22 years of teaching experience he has also taught in a number of schools in New Zealand and England from early childhood up to Grade 8. Mr Teteina’s expertise lies in educational change, leadership and recruitment.
He has taught multiple age levels and is committed to the inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning, and is an advocate of the IB philosophy. He is also an IB PYP and MYP workshop leader and evaluator. Mr Teteina lives in Phuket with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter.
In his free time he enjoys surfing, snowboarding and rugby.
Meanwhile, as the CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) Coordinator school wide, Mr Forsythe’s role is to assist teachers across the school in implementing experiential learning trips. His role is to find meaningful links between curriculum and the local community, where long-term action and service can take place to enhance student learning.
“Phuket International Academy is in a unique environment with rich learning opportunities, and so whenever possible we want to take advantage of our surroundings as primary resources where learning is real, significant and meaningful,” Mr Forsythe remarked.
James is looking for opportunities that meet genuine needs and result in mutual exchanges, whether that is with individuals, groups, the environment or animals.