Mrs Alexandra Ferretti is the Director of Whanganui High School's International Department and a teacher of Spanish, French and ESOL.  She has worked at Whanganui High School since 2003 and was Dean for three years before becoming Director of International. 

She believes that if the students are safe and happy, then success will follow both academically and personally.  Having had experience as a student in another country and lived in many different countries, she understands the difficulties students can sometimes experience.  She travels overseas frequently to meet agents and parents of her students at Whanganui High School.

director.int@whanganuihigh.school.nz

Lee Su'a took over the position of International Dean in July 2017. Lee is responsible for the pastoral and general well-being of al the International Students.  Her teaching career started in 1991 where she worked in a bi-lingual school here in Whanganui.   She then travelled to the United Kingdom where she taught in a school with predominantly ESL students and studied for her certificate in TESOL.  Since returning to Whanganui she has continued to study and more recently, has been teaching Junior Science and ESL.

Lee is an enthusiastic and creative teacher and has this to say to her International Students -

"As a student at Whanganui High School you will see a lot of me.  I will be there celebrating your successes and ensuring your time in New Zealand is safe and positive.  My door is always open and I am looking forward to meeting you soon."

sua.l@whs.ac.nz

Mrs Tonia Hoobin or Tonia as the students call her is responsible for administration and helping students with insurance claims and visas.  She is usually the first person to receive and respond to emails. 

international@whanganuihigh.school.nz

Mrs Hildegard Schmidt is the homestay coordinator.  Hildegard emigrated to New Zealand from Germany so she knows what it is like to settle into a new country. She is responsible for matching students to homestays and supporting the homestay parents.

homestay@whanganuihigh.school.nz

Mr Robert Lakeland was Director of the international Department for over 20 years and continues part time as consultant, providing continuity of the relationships he established between overseas organisations and Whanganui High School. He continues to write the NuLake range of mathematics books, which are used in schools all over New Zealand.

lakeland.r@wanganuihigh.school.nz