Sandra Power volunteering in Kiribati

Immaculate Heart High School, Kiribati

The Republic of Kiribati is an island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean. The country's 33 atolls are scattered over 3,500,000 square kilometres.

The urban centres of the Republic of Kiribati are found in south Tarawa from Betio to Bonriki. Tarawa, like all the other islands, is a coral atoll and the majority of agriculture is made up of coconut trees, pandanus and breadfruit.

A recent study into Education in Kiribati, commissioned by Palms Australia and carried out by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, identified a lack of confidence in English amongst teachers and students as a major reason for poor results and low numbers of tertiary entrants in Kiribati.

The Catholic Education Office of Kiribati has made requests to Palms Australia to provide experienced English teachers to help in mentoring and assisting local teachers in their schools.

Sandra Power

Sandra will teach English to Form 5 and 6 students of Immaculate Heart High School. She will work closely with local teachers to develop their English and teaching skills.

Sandra has previously worked as a teacher and education officer for TAFE colleges and the Long Bay Gaol, teaching English, English as a Second Language, Communication, Career Education for Women, Job Orientation Skills and Spanish. Palms Australia and Immaculate Heart High School believe Sandra is very well equipped for the task.

Sandra's placement will not be easy but with the assistance of CommUNITY Partners she can make a long-term sustainable difference for the students and teachers of Kiribati.